In a bold step toward greater accessibility and academic support, Fordham University has announced the launch of free campus-wide access to Speechify, a leading text to speech platform. This initiative, led by Fordham’s Office of Information Technology (IT) in collaboration with the university’s Accessibility Committee, will benefit more than 15,000 students across its campuses.
The program, which is already live, is designed to enhance educational inclusivity and empower students to engage with course materials in ways that accommodate a diverse range of learning styles and needs.
How Speechify is Supporting Accessibility Through AI
Speechify is a text to speech platform that converts any written or physical textual content —including PDFs, webpages, eBooks, and scanned materials—into high-quality audio. While it’s especially beneficial for students with dyslexia, ADHD, visual impairments, or physical disabilities that make reading difficult, the tool is useful for all students. It supports auditory learners, language learners, and those looking for a more flexible way to absorb information.
Katherine Morris, IT communications manager at Fordham, explained how the tool came to campus. “Speechify was brought to the Accessibility Committee’s attention by a forward-thinking faculty member,” Morris said. “She and another committee member documented its benefits in a proposal, which was reviewed and approved by Fordham’s Chief Information Officer, Anand Padmanabhan.”
Morris noted that the tool is in use at other leading institutions, including the New York City Department of Education, Columbia University, Barnard College, Stanford University, and the University of Southern California. However, Fordham conducted its own independent review before implementation, ensuring that Speechify met the university’s security, privacy, and functionality standards.
A Commitment to Inclusive Education
Fordham’s adoption of Speechify reflects its broader commitment to creating learning environments that accommodate the widest range of abilities and preferences. According to Morris, a substantial number of Fordham students have documented print disabilities. Offering Speechify at no cost levels the academic playing field for these students.
“This tool helps ensure that all our content is available in multiple formats,” Morris said. “It’s not just for students with disabilities. Non-native speakers, students with different learning styles, and anyone who prefers auditory learning can find value in it.”
The university hopes Speechify will enhance student engagement and academic performance by making coursework more accessible anytime, anywhere.
Student Response: A Tool for Modern Learning
Early student responses also suggest enthusiasm for the platform’s flexibility and potential.
Jack Robinson, GSB ’27, emphasized how Speechify could benefit a range of learning preferences. “It seems like a valuable tool for modern learning. I believe it would be especially useful for students with different learning styles, as listening to text aloud provides an alternative way to absorb information,” he said.
Robinson also noted Speechify’s potential for multitasking. “I would definitely consider using Speechify while multitasking, especially at the gym. Compared to other study tools, its ability to convert text into audio could enhance efficiency.”
How to Access Speechify at Fordham University
Students can activate their free Speechify license using their official Fordham email address. The platform is accessible across a variety of devices, including iOS and Android phones, Macs, PCs, and even through a Chrome browser extension. For those who may already have a paid account tied to their Fordham email, the university recommends canceling their current subscription before switching to the school-sponsored license to avoid account conflicts or data loss.
Instructions and further information are available on the Fordham Speechify support page.
Looking Ahead
By offering powerful tools like Speechify for free, Fordham University is helping to ensure that every student, regardless of learning style, disability, or academic challenge, has the support they need to thrive.