Converting text to human-voiced audio

Our Mission is to provide, upon request, free audio recorded versions of print material, which give persons with vision impairments or other disabilities access to lifelong learning choices.

How It Works

1 You Request

Submit a legal copy of the print material you would like audio-recorded. Contact Us to find out how!
Is your request already in audio format? Check the CELA site and the NNELS site (these will open in new browser tabs) and please see Our Recording Policy

2 We Record

Our narrators voice an audio recording that is personalized to your needs. We use real live voices, not computer‑generated synthetic voices.

3 You Receive

We provide you with an audio version of your requested print material. Our standard DAISY/MP3 format is made available on CD or as a digital file transfer.

Our Recording Policy

(Effective November 25, 2021)

  • PAL records print material, free of charge, for individual clients who self-identify
    as print-challenged.
  • Recordings for organizations such as AERO, educational institutions, government
    agencies etc. are made by PAL on a fee-for-service basis. These requests are
    given first priority.
  • PAL records any written material that is requested, within the boundaries of
    copyright law, provided a narrator can be found who is willing and capable of
    doing so.
  • In general, print material already available in human-voiced DAISY format will
    not be a priority for recording by PAL.
  • PAL provides a bespoke service, within reason and at the discretion of the staff.
    For example, clients may choose to have page numbers, captions and footnotes
    recorded, and tables and figures described, etc. As a general rule, PAL does not
    record indices or bibliographies.
  • Recordings are made for PAL clients on a first come, first served basis. Every
    effort is made to complete projects in a timely manner with deadline requests
    being taken into consideration. Timelines, however, cannot be guaranteed.
  • Where copyright permits, PAL recordings are made available to additional clients as requested.

How You Can Help

Please consider helping us to continue this important work. Donate Now – your tax‑deductible donation will help improve our services and enrich the lives of those who depend on them. Find out more about How You Can Help.

John Rae, 1949-2022

It is with great sadness that we announce that our board member, client and friend John Rae died suddenly on the afternoon of April 8th. John had been a member of the PAL-Reading Services’ board of directors many times over the years, starting in 1978, and at one time or another had served in each of the executive positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. His vast experience and years of hard work in the disability rights movement have impacted people all over Canada, not to mention in his local community here in Toronto. He re-joined our board in September of 2021 as a director, and will be sorely missed by us all. Rest in peace, and rest in power dear friend.