Converting a Document into an MP3

Cost: Free/ Paid | Platforms: This is a web based tool, made by Blackboard, all you just need is your browser. 

When you have a Word Document you can read it....right? Well, a Word document can be used in many ways. One way is to convert your Word Document into a sound file or MP3 specifically. This is easy to do and just takes a few moments to create. The main question is why would you want to change your Word document into a sound file? Well, this means you can listen to the content instead of reading or listen to it as you read it. You could place the sound file or your essay or article or study notes in your Smart phone for example and listen to it as you go for a walk or when you are driving your car.

You can use this website for a number of purposes :

• to convert files into Sound files- as stated above
• you can also convert the file to ePub and Braille too as well as more.

Most useful for: taking a Word Document that you may have to memorise parts of, prior reading before a class or exam preparation text and converting it into a sound file so you can choose to read or listen to it.

The Steps to Take: 

• This is an easy to use website and best way to use it is via your Computer. Just open your browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari or other, and you can begin.

• Select the 'Browse' button when you are on the website (as seen in the image above), here you can navigate your computer to find the document you want to convert. Select the document.

• Then a window appears asking you to tick a box that says 'I am not a robot'.

• Then select the box that says 'Transform my file'.

• Then your options appear (as seen in the image below). Select 'Audio - Mp3 version for listening' from the menu.

• Then select the 'Download' button in the lower right of the screen.

• The audio can take a few seconds or minutes to create depending on your wifi speed and file size.

Our Top Tip: 

You can transfer the audio file to your phone in a number of ways:

1. Use your USB cable (or similar) to connect your phone to your computer and transfer the audio files to a place you can find easily.

2. You can email the file to yourself from your computer and open the mail on your phone and download the file to your phone.

Demonstration of how to make an audio file: 

Video source: The AHEAD YouTube channel 

Get more Advice:  

• If you are a student in Higher Education, speak to your Assistive Technology Officer or Disability Officer /Learning Support Officer.  

• If you are a Student in the FET/ETB then it may be possible to speak to an Educational Needs Coordinator, Learning Support Coordinator, Student Access Officer, Student Support Coordinator or a Disability Support Officer for more information about assistive technology.  

• If you are an Employee and are interested in this technology then speak to your Disability Liaison Officer (public service) or your Line Manager to start the conversation.