On a similar note, try getting OS X to read a Word Document, select the text then

Word > Services > Speech > Start Speaking Text

Now look what you need to do in Windows…

Use Text to Speech in Word
The following example uses the Excel object model to access Text to Speech from a Word document. This procedure demonstrates how to reference and create an Excel object in order to use the Speech object.

Insert a Module into Word
1. Open a Word document.
2. Press ALT+F11 to start the Visual Basic Editor.
3. On the Insert menu, click Module.
4. Type or copy and paste into the module the sample code that appears later in this section.
Add a Reference to Excel 10 Object Library
1. In the Visual Basic Editor, point to References on the Tools menu.
2. Under Available References, select the Microsoft Excel 10.0 Object Library check box, and then click OK.
Sub Procedure to Automate Excel Text to Speech from Word
The following example assumes that you type text in your Word document and then select the text before you run the Sub procedure.
Sub TTS()
‘Declare and create an Excel object.
Dim XL_tts As Excel.Application
Set XL_tts = CreateObject(”Excel.Application”)
XL_tts.Speech.Speak Selection
XL_tts.Quit
Set XL_tts = Nothing
End Sub

NOTE: Word security is set at high by default. Unsigned Visual Basic macros do not run in this setting. Change the macro security level to medium by following these steps:
1. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Security.
2. On the Security Level tab, click to select Medium, and then click OK.
3. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Word.
NOTE: You must quit and restart Word for the security level change to take effect.

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