Education is a universal right, but reality shows that not all students have the same opportunities to access it.
Geographical, economic, or physical barriers continue to limit the learning of millions of people worldwide. However, technology is changing this landscape: more and more digital tools are making it possible to break down accessibility barriers and ensure that everyone can learn on equal terms.
In the Smowltech podcast, we address this topic with Antonino Sistac, regional director of ReadSpeaker Spain and Latin America, a pioneering company in text-to-speech technology that promotes digital accessibility in fields such as education, industry, and entertainment.
Technology as an ally for educational inclusion
Inclusive education seeks that any person, regardless of their context or abilities, can access the same learning resources and opportunities. In this sense, technology has gone from being a mere support to becoming a strategic ally for equity.
From accessible e-learning platforms to inclusive proctoring systems, current innovations open the doors of education to students with disabilities, people living in rural areas, or those who need to combine studies with other responsibilities.
“Accessibility is much more than complying with a norm. It is offering everyone the possibility to learn and develop on equal terms,” emphasizes Antonino Sistac during the interview.
ReadSpeaker: giving voice to digital content
Founded in Sweden in 1999, ReadSpeaker was one of the first companies in the world to offer text-to-speech solutions integrated into digital environments. Its technology allows any written content (whether a website, a digital book, or an online evaluation) to be converted into high-quality audio.
Antonino Sistac, after a period in consulting, led the creation of the Spanish and Latin American divisions of the company in 2004. Since then, he has witnessed how the concept of accessibility has gone from being marginal to becoming a strategic priority for many organizations.
“When we started, accessibility was practically in its infancy. On the web, there was more talk of usability than inclusion, and both ideas even seemed to be at odds. But little by little, companies began to understand that accessibility benefits everyone,” he explains.
Today, ReadSpeaker is present in more than 60 countries and works with universities, public administrations, and large corporations to make digital content easier to understand, listen to, and enjoy.
What is text-to-speech technology and why is it so relevant today?
Text-to-speech (TTS) technology automatically converts text into audio using natural and customizable synthetic voices.
Although its origins date back to the 1950s, it has been in the last decade that this innovation has consolidated itself as a fundamental tool for digital inclusion.
Sistac highlights several reasons that explain its current relevance:
- Supports diverse learning. People with low vision, dyslexia, or reading difficulties can access the same content as everyone else, in a more comfortable and understandable way.
- Promotes comprehension. Listening and reading at the same time improves information retention, both in educational and professional contexts.
- Adapts to new consumption habits. In a society where headphones are ubiquitous, listening to content while performing other activities has become a daily habit.
- Enables multimodal accessibility. Users can choose how to interact with information: read, listen, or combine both modes.
“Today, reading digital content aloud is no longer a complement, but a necessity. We all benefit from being able to access knowledge in different formats, depending on the moment or the device,” comments Sistac.
The challenge of accessibility: from legal compliance to universal design
One of the most debated topics in the field of digital accessibility is regulatory compliance. In Europe, the Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) — which fully entered into force in June 2025 — establish new obligations for companies and administrations regarding universal design.
However, Antonino insists that accessibility should not be seen as an imposition, but as an opportunity to innovate and broaden reach:
“Some organizations consider making their products accessible a burden. In reality, it is an investment that improves the experience of all users. Accessibility and usability are more united than ever.”
The real change, he adds, is in integrating accessibility from the design phase.
It is not about adapting a product at the end, but about creating digital experiences that are inclusive by nature from the beginning. For this, the training of professionals and the awareness of the educational and technological sector are key.
Trends: artificial intelligence and adaptive accessibility
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way educational content is designed and distributed. Thanks to it, today it is possible to personalize learning according to the needs, language, level, or even learning style of each student.
“AI has democratized the creation of dynamic and adapted content. We no longer talk about standard materials, but about personalized experiences that can arrive in different formats, including audio,” says Sistac.
In this context, voice technologies and inclusive monitoring tools such as SMOWL are integrated into an ecosystem that allows for more flexible, accessible, and fair education.
Even sectors such as gaming or digital assessment are exploring ways to incorporate voice interaction to offer immersive experiences accessible to all user profiles.
Success story: ReadSpeaker and Smowltech promote inclusion at UNAD
One of the most outstanding projects of collaboration between ReadSpeaker and Smowltech is being developed at the National Open and Distance University (UNAD) of Colombia.
This institution, a benchmark in online education in Latin America, uses the combination of both technologies to improve the accessibility and inclusion of more than 250,000 students.
On the one hand, ReadSpeaker allows educational content to be converted into audio, facilitating learning for people with different abilities.
On the other hand, SMOWL guarantees remote assessment in a secure and inclusive way, ensuring that exams are carried out equitably, without the need for travel or physical barriers.
“Before, many students had to travel to assessment centers, which involved significant economic and logistical expense. Today, they can take their exams from anywhere, with the support of reading and fair supervision tools. That is real inclusion,” highlights Sistac.
This case demonstrates how technological collaboration can level the educational playing field, offering solutions that benefit both institutions and students themselves.
Reducing inequality through digital accessibility
Access to education remains a global challenge. In many developing countries, limited connectivity or lack of resources prevents thousands of students from fully participating in digital learning environments.
For Antonino Sistac, voice technology and inclusive proctoring solutions are an effective way to reduce educational inequality:
“Equality versus inequality means breaking down barriers. Making content accessible is not optional: it is essential for everyone to be able to learn, regardless of their situation. When we facilitate access and eliminate unnecessary travel, we are taking a real step towards equity.”
Tools like ReadSpeaker and SMOWL allow students to learn on their own terms, adapting content to their context, pace, and abilities. In this way, accessibility becomes a key factor in social and educational transformation.
Conclusion: a more human and inclusive education
The interview with Antonino Sistac leaves us with a powerful reflection: technology only fulfills its purpose when it serves to include, not to exclude.
Thanks to solutions like ReadSpeaker and Smowltech, today it is possible to build a more equitable, flexible, and accessible educational model for all.
Ultimately, inclusion is not just a technical or regulatory objective, but an ethical commitment to equal opportunities.
And on that path, technology — well used — is an indispensable ally.
