How do I enable Text to Speech on my MacBook Air?

To enable Text to Speech on your MacBook Air, turn on Speak Selection in your System Settings.

How to Enable Text to Speech

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
2. Click Accessibility in the sidebar (scroll down if you do not see it right away).
3. Click Read & Speak (or Spoken Content on older macOS versions).
4. Turn on the toggle next to Speak selection.

More info from Apple: Have your Mac speak text that’s on the screen – Apple Support

Why Option + Esc Might Not Work

• It may not be turned on yet: Speak Selection is often off by default, so pressing Option + Esc will do nothing until you toggle it on in Settings.
• Check or change your shortcut: Click the info button (i) next to Speak selection to see or change your assigned keyboard shortcut.
• Alternative way to play without a shortcut: Highlight any text, click Edit in the top menu bar, go to Speech, and select Start Speaking. You can also two-finger click (right-click) the highlighted text, go to Speech, and select Start Speaking.

Extra Help for Low Vision

Since you mentioned losing your eyesight, your MacBook Air has built-in tools that can make using the computer much easier:

• VoiceOver: A full screen reader that speaks everything on your screen and lets you control the Mac using keyboard commands. Turn it on in System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver (or press Command + F5).
• Zoom: Magnifies text and images on your screen. Turn it on in System Settings > Accessibility > Zoom

More info from Apple: Accessibility features for vision on Mac – Apple Support