Edge Browser – Reading Tools 

Cost: Free | Platforms: Desktop and Laptop Browser-based tool. 

Edge is a browser, used for exploring websites, that is made by Microsoft and works best for Microsoft products like Office 365 that some Education organisations and Companies use today. 

Edge has 2 types of inbuilt reading tools in its browser: 

1. ‘Read Aloud Selection’ – reads out a webpage. Just go to the webpage then right click the text in the website and a context menu appears with this option - as seen in the image. 

2. The next option is called ‘Immersive Reader’ - this tool, as seen in the image,  also helps with reading but has far more options that not only read information but makes the information easier to read. This can be explored on this webpage in AT Hive. 

Note: The image below shows the 'Read Aloud' and 'Immersive Reader' options that appear in the context menu - click to enlarge the image.

The ‘Read Aloud Selection’ key features are: 

• When you click on ‘Read Aloud Selection’ in the context menu, it will automatically start to read out the website. 

• A pause/play button appears on the top of the Edge Browser. 

• ‘Voice Options’ in the top right corner, when selected, gives you reading speed options as well as voice options you can select. 

The ‘Immersive Reader’ key features are: 

• If you select ‘Immersive Reader’ in the context menu, then text you have selected in the webpage will appear in a new way and a new menu will appear on the top right side of your Edge browser: 

• ‘Text Preferences’: allows you to change your text size as well as the background colour. 

• ‘Grammar tools’: makes it possible to select the parts of the sentences such as nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. 

• ‘Reading Preferences’: has a line focus tool that isolates sentences and makes content easier to read. A Picture Dictionary tool gives you the option to show an image of a word when the word is selected. 

Most useful for: Really helpful for reading webpages. It requires no extra work to use in the browser as it is built into the browser. The reading voices are excellent. 

Our Top Tip:

Eye strain can be a challenge when reading online for long periods so try these tools so you can listen instead of reading. Give your eyes a break. 

Video source: Mike Tholfsen Youtube channel 

Go to the Edge Website> 

For 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.