Hi Mandy, I think the Olympus DM5 will do exactly what you want. It has full text to speech so you can tell battery levels, which folder you are in and so on. I use one myself and think it's a great machine. I do have a text version of the manual if you'd be interested but it can look a bit daunting when you start to read it. Failing that, if you want to contact me off list and ask any questions, feel free! The recorder is very small and would fit in a pocket or bag easily. You can get it from the RNIB and it's exempt from VAT because of the text to speech. Cheers, Sandra.