Overview
If you prefer to listen to documents rather than read them, ‘text-to-speech’ programmes are available. However, many of these are designed as ‘assistive technologies’ for visually impaired people and read aloud extra information such as interface controls. Both Microsoft Word (2010) and Adobe Reader offer in-built ‘read aloud’ tools which will read text in the document out to you.
Tablets and mobile devices might also have read aloud functionality depending on the specific device. Try looking in the ‘accessibility’ features. Let us know if you have used them successfully.
Useful links
- Text and Video Guide: Speak for Microsoft Word 2010 (AT Blog)
- Video Guide: Text to Speech on the Mac (YouTube)
- Video Guide: Read Out Loud for Adobe Reader (YouTube)
Reading On Screen 
There are UK voices available for staff and students in post-16 education which are more ‘listenable’ – the robotic or American pronunciation can be difficult for some users. These are free from http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/technologymatters/voices