Cell Phone Can Read Documents for Blind

The Nokia cell phone is loaded with software that turns text on photographed documents into speech. In addition to telling whether a bill is worth $1, $5, $10 or $20, it also allows users to read anything that is photographed, whether it's a restaurant menu, a phone book or a fax. While the technology is not new, the NFB and the software's developer say the cell phone is the first to incorporate the text-to-speech ability.

"We've had reading devices before," Danielsen said, noting similar software is already available in a larger handheld reader housed in a personal digital assistant. Companies such as Code Factory SL, Dolphin Computer Access Ltd. and Nuance Communications Inc. also provide software that allows the blind to use cell phones and PDAs.

Inexpensive hand-held scanners such as WizCom Technologies Ltd.'s SuperPen can scan limited amounts of text, read it aloud and even translate from other languages.

However, the $2,100 NFB device combines all of those functions in one smart phone, said James Gashel, vice president of business development for K-NFB Reading Technology Inc., which is marketing the phone as a joint venture between the federation and software developer Ray Kurzweil.

"It is the next step, but this is a huge leap," Gashel, who is blind, said in a telephone interview. "I'm talking to you on the device I also use to read things. I can put it in my pocket and at the touch of a button, in 20 seconds, be reading something I need to read in print."

Ray Kurzweil, who developed the first device that could convert text into audio in the 1970s and the current NFB device, said portability is only the first step. Future versions of the device will recognize faces, identify rooms and translate text from other languages for the blind and the sighted.

The inventor plans to begin marketing the cell phone in February through K-NFB Reading Technology. The software will cost $1,595 and the cell phone is expected to cost about $500, Kurzweil said.

Dave Doermann, president of College Park-based Applied Media Analysis said his company is working on similar software for smart phones that could be used by the military for translation and by the visually impaired.

"We don't anticipate ours being that expensive, but unfortunately we're not quite to the release yet," said Doermann, who is also co-director of the University of Maryland's Laboratory for Language and Media Processing.

Doermann said the company, which has received funding from the Department of Defense and the National Eye Institute, hopes to have its software ready in the next 12 to 18 months.

source : Associated Press

OcuSource Announces Virtual Conference for Vision Impairment Industry

Low vision and blindness portal, OcuSource.com, announces the OcuSource EXPO 2008, a year-long virtual conference for the visual impairment industry. Through the integration of accessible web-conferencing, visitors to this online event can participate in interactive online presentations, visit exhibit booths" and even attend online entertainment events, all from any sound-enabled computer with access to the internet. Hosted by the virtual tradeshow system from letsGoExpo.com, the resource will offer a series of monthly events throughout the coming 12 months, kicking off March 26, 2008 at ocusource.com, and can also be found via the LetsGoExpo calendar of events: http://letsgoexpo.com.

"The OcuSource EXPO fulfils many needs of the vision impairment industry" states Dr. Lou Lipschultz, founder of OcuSource.com. "The key here is that there are around 14 million individuals in the United States with some form of vision loss. Yet, we estimate that less than a total of 10,000 visually impaired persons attend the five major vision impairment tradeshows in U.S. There is obviously a significant access issue here," stated Lipschultz, a low vision specialist and former executive of one of the manufacturers of technology for the visually impaired. "Lack of awareness, transportation, and financial constraints contribute to poor attendance by both consumers and professionals. OcuSource is now bringing the conference to attendees around the world, and we're doing it all through an interactive online venue designed specifically for low vision and blind users."

The "virtual conference center" is provided by sister company, LetsGoExpo, and is constructed to seamlessly work with software called a screenreader such as Jaws or WindowEyes. Users easily navigate through "presentation halls" and "exhibit halls" allowing the visitor to find his or her way to the topic of interest. Presentation halls are organized by topic including macular degeneration, education and employment resources. Exhibit halls are filled with "booths" staffed by manufacturers, vendors, agencies, organizations, and other entities eager to share information about their services and products. Attendees can also speak directly to booth representatives over the internet via the integrated web conferencing tool from venture partner Talking Communities, which allows the exhibitor to show PowerPoint and video presentations from within their booth.

Visitors who are unable to attend the live portion of the conference can still experience all the benefits around the clock through archived streamed videos of the presentations which will be available for 12 months after the live presentation.

"Our greatest challenge is getting the word out around the world of this valuable resource. We're hoping that as the year progresses, a network of low vision, blindness and senior oriented sites will share the availability of this valuable resource with their visitors" describes Lipschultz. The management team is now accepting applications for exhibitors, presentations, and sponsors.

Clarity LLC Releases New Portable Magnifier Rio

Clarity LLC, manufacturers of assistive technologies for the visually impaired is set to launch the Rio, the newest in its Next Generation product line. The latest in portable technology, the lightweight Rio magnifier offers incredible magnification for a multitude of functions. At only 1.5 pounds, the self contained Rio provides 7 inches of viewing space, and up to 5 hours of battery life. Rio features a unique, state of the art video camera for magnification up to 20 times combined with a handy mouse cam for controlled reading at your finger tips. The portable Rio has five different modes to choose from: color, black and white, inverse, yellow on blue, and black on yellow for your viewing ease.

With five hours of battery life, the compact, flexible Rio is ready to go where you go. If you love to travel the convenient and durable carry case allows you to enjoy a night on the town or a stop at your favorite restaurant. Crossword puzzles and writing checks are no problem as the Rio glides easily across the pages. Low vision no longer needs to keep you from the things you enjoy. The Rio allows you to enjoy your freedom now.

Source : Clarity

Watch Low Vision Aids in Action on YouTube

Trying before buying is always a good advice, by getting a low vision device. A good alternative is watching a presentation on YouTube, also interesting for good sighted! The Central Coast Assistive Technology Center produces a local TV show called "Curb Cuts" in which they feature different types of assistive technology and individuals using it. They recently produced an episode called "AT for Low Vision" in which they showcase ZoomText, CCTVs, various low vision devices, built-in accessibility features in Windows and Mac, etc.

Watch AT for Low Vision on YouTube

Visit Curb Cuts for more Episodes

New Google Toolbar adds accessible features

Google launched Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer version 5 as a public beta. This version introduces a number of exciting features, such as making your Toolbar settings available from any computer that you log into with your Google Account, improved suggestions for broken links, as well as important changes that make Toolbar more accessible for assistive technology users. This release adds support for Windows Accessibility APIs (used by screen readers, etc.) and enables keyboard navigation and access. From inside a browser with Toolbar installed, the global shortcut Alt+G places your cursor in the Google Toolbar search box. If you're using a screen reader, you'll hear "Google Toolbar Search". Pressing the Tab key brings keyboard focus to the button placed immediately after the search box, and right and left arrow keys move focus between buttons. More information on keyboard access is documented in the Toolbar Help Center (query 'accessibility').

Source : Official Google Blog