This paper describes the design, development and user study of a text-to-speech system for reviewing email messages. The system retrieves messages, converts them to audio files, and facilitates transferring the messages to a portable listening device. This study reviews the efficacy of such a system and compares the users’ ability to comprehend spoken audio messages verses written messages. According to the study the system was successful, but the user interest in the design was only moderate.

Keywords: Universal Accessibility; Text-to-Speech; Universal Design; Email; Portable Communication Device; Portable Entertainment Device; User Study