# HandySpeech — Handwriting to Speech App > Handwriting-to-speech app for communication assistance. (iPhone/iPad app by Eric Zeiberg.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handyspeech/id563600464 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Eric Zeiberg](https://appshunter.io/developer/1832080960) - Category: Medical, Productivity - Price: $2.99 - Rating: 3.50/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.2 · 101 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2012-12-02 - Data updated: 2026-08-15 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handyspeech/id563600464/reviews.md ## What is HandySpeech? HandySpeech Is The Gift Of Voice! APPROVED: Dr. Bernard Grela, Ph.D. Associate Professor Interim Department Chair Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences University of Connecticut The only handwriting-to-speech application for iOS devices, HandySpeech provides people with speech and hearing disabilities a quick and easy conversational tool. The application’s ability to translate handwritten text into spoken language makes HandySpeech easier to use and more natural than commercially available keyboarding solutions. Because HandySpeech can be used on mobile devices, it is portable and readily accessible. The application remembers frequently used phrases, learns the user’s handwriting style, understands cursive, print and mixed writing styles and contains a dictionary for unusual words. The application generates natural sounding, best on the market male and female voices in a total of 12 languages. HandySpeech is a valuable tool for individuals with a variety of speech and language impairments, including those who are living with oral, head and neck cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or autism; have experienced stroke or brain injury; and those with post-operative voice difficulties. It is quick to learn conversational tool for people with vocal cords impairments due to surgery, paralysis, vocal nodules and others. HandySpeech can listen too: with speech recognition module, powered by Nuance, HandySpeech can be used by deaf and hard of hearing people for two way “verbal” conversation with the hearing individuals. The application was created by a twelve-year-old boy who was inspired by his sister, an autistic young girl with speech disabilities. “I invented HandySpeech to give a voice to people who find it difficult to or are unable to speak,” said Eric Zeiberg. “The application is dedicated to courageous people who struggle every day to overcome their disabilities. I hope that HandySpeech will provide much needed help and open new opportunities for people in need.” HandySpeech: •Assistive Speech Technology •Easy to use, intuitive interface, portable •It remembers you favorite and frequently used phrases for use at the store, doctor's office, on the phone ("I am using assistive device - please be patient") - even quicker ability to say something. •Advance handwriting recognition technology: - corrects written words based on user's intention; - improves ability to recognize user's handwriting over time; •Can be used anywhere - either WIFI of Cell connection and even with NO connection •One time payment includes iPad, iPhone, iPod and all future updates. •Alternative keyboard and whole screen input What People are saying about HandySpeech * "The app has given my best friend back to me. It's not my husband's voice, but it's his words" * "A nice contribution to quality of live for speech impaired folks." * "HandySpeech is the Gift of Voice" * "We can't believe - it's a God send!" * "What you have done is beyond expectation!" * "Sounds like a winner for so many!" * "This app will help so many who have struggled throughout their lives to be heard." To learn more about the HandySpeech application visit www.iSpeak4U.com. HandySpeech was created by iSpeak4U, LLC., a provider of software products and services, iSpeak4U is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities through innovations in assistive technologies. Its mission is to create easy-to-use mobile applications to help people with disabilities to achieve an independent lifestyle, open new opportunities, and reach their full potential. ## Key features - Handwriting to speech translation - Learns user's handwriting - Supports cursive and print - Natural sounding voices in 12 languages - Speech recognition for two-way conversation - Remembers frequently used phrases - Offline functionality ## Chart rankings - #200 in Top Paid · Medical (US App Store) ## Recent user reviews (7 of 7) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handyspeech/id563600464/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Good, not great *2024-11-04* My father has ALS and is unable to speak. He can write on a tablet and wanted something to speak for him. This app seems to offer to do that. The handwriting detection was very inconsistent. Sometimes it would detect words completely different from what he would write and it took so long to type out a sentence while fixing the mistakes, he finally gave up and said he didn’t want to use it. I tried it myself for a couple hours and gave the accuracy about a 75% score. It worked ok some of the time, but when it didn’t it was very aggravating having to clear out words and backspace to clear words. ### 5/5 — Great, but would be perfect with new feature *2022-03-04* Would be great if it could learn how you write each letter and number. Maybe you could store that info on an initial set up? Would help for people with dyslexic people and unique handwriting who can’t speak. ### 1/5 — Dissatisfied *2019-04-10* Does not speak unless you put it in airplane mode on. **Developer response:** Sorry that you are experienced a problem. This issue has been addressed in the new release. PLease update to the new version. ### 5/5 — Handyspeech *2014-04-17* Ive used Handyspeech for just one day and it's already paid for itself! I think it is a great thing for both improving your speech and your writing skills. I had a stroke one year ago, and Handyspeech is very useful for my recovery. ### 4/5 — Speach *2013-03-31* I purchased this for my husband after he was diagnosed with tongue cancer for the third time. The doctors removed his tongue and larynx. He has been using this program for about a month. There are a few glitches, but all in all it's a great product. It has given my best friend back to me. It's not his voice, but it's his words! Thank you for creating it! ### 5/5 — Got my voice back!!!!! *2012-12-28* I downloaded HandySpeech app a few days ago. Great app! It understood my handwriting very well, even though I don't have the best handwriting. The more I wrote, the better it understood me. The app speaks in a very pleasant voice. I downloaded Spanish language and it worked well too. Very easy to use. Perfect app for having a casual conversation. I would highly recommend this app. Thank you so much for helping me to be able to speak with my family and friends like I used to do. ### 5/5 — Innovative product for individuals with speech disabilities! *2012-12-04* Wow!! Great app! Easy to use, very user friendly. It works well, understood my handwriting perfectly, intuitive. I am a clinical therapist and have several clients that can benefit from this product! Working with children and adults with disabilities can be frustrating for the clinician in communicating, but even more so for the client! As a professional I would recommend it for my clients, or anyone with a speech impermanent. ## Frequently asked questions about HandySpeech ### What is HandySpeech? HandySpeech is an iOS application designed to translate handwritten text into spoken language, serving as a communication tool for individuals with speech and hearing impairments. It offers features like handwriting recognition, natural-sounding voices, and speech recognition for two-way conversations. ### Who is HandySpeech for? HandySpeech is intended for individuals facing challenges with speaking or hearing, including those with conditions such as oral cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s disease, autism, stroke, brain injury, or post-operative voice difficulties. It also aids individuals with vocal cord impairments. ### Does HandySpeech work offline? Yes, HandySpeech can be used with or without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, making it accessible even when offline. This ensures users can communicate regardless of their network availability. ### What languages does HandySpeech support? HandySpeech generates natural-sounding male and female voices in a total of 12 languages. This broad language support aims to make the app accessible to a wider international user base. ### How does HandySpeech learn handwriting? The app utilizes advanced handwriting recognition technology that corrects written words based on user intent and improves its ability to recognize the user's handwriting style over time. It understands cursive, print, and mixed writing styles. ### What is the price of HandySpeech? HandySpeech is available for a one-time payment of $2.99. This purchase includes access to the app on iPad, iPhone, and iPod, as well as all future updates. ### How often is HandySpeech updated? The latest version of HandySpeech is 5.3, last updated on December 22, 2020. While the app is a one-time purchase that includes future updates, the provided data indicates the last update was in late 2020. ### Does HandySpeech have ads? No, HandySpeech does not contain advertisements. The app is a paid application with a one-time purchase, ensuring an ad-free user experience. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 5.3 — 2020-12-22 Various bug fixes and performance improvements. Fixed iOS 14+ issue. ### 5.2 — 2020-05-17 Various bug fixes and performance improvements ### 5.1 — 2019-07-26 - Updated text-to-speech and speech-to-text with Google Cloud technologies - Updated social sharing options - Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 5.0 — 2017-10-19 New in Version 5: 1. Write Anywhere on the screen: second icon on the top-left of the screen. You can toggle between write-pad, keyboard or whole screen for writing; 2. Suggestion bar: multiple suggestions for hand-writing corrections; 3. Shorthand feature: you can use build-in or custom (created by the user) abbreviations that you can write to be replaced by the text: - Date: current date; - Time: current time; - DT: current date-time; - Support: HandySpeech support; You can create your own shorthand items by going to the option menu, for example: - addr: your address; - myname: name; - sign: your signature, for instance: for email in social option; 4. Multiple male/female voices for the majority of languages. You can chose and try voices in the voice setting section. 5. Award winning Nuance text-to-speech and voice recognition! Best voices on the market 6. Multiple improvements and bug fixes ### 4.0 — 2014-08-10 - Local voice: HandySpeech can be used without an Internet connection now - All 13 languages are now free and available to all users - Multiple enhancements and improvements --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*