Blog
May 25, 2010
Optelec ClearReader+ – Reading with a difference
Filed under: Learning, Reading Machine, Visual — techeditor @ 11:57 am
The Optelec ClearReader+ is a high tech reader with which a visually impaired and a learning impaired person can read any kind of printed material. Now, reading letters, magazines, novels, newspapers, etc will no longer be a complex task. With Optelec ClearReader+ you can carry out these actions without any difficulty.
ClearReader+ comes with a smart convenient design that is easy to use, has high quality multi-lingual speech output and includes fast text recognition. By a single press of a button you can read whenever you want without any trouble.
This smart and stylish ClearReader+ has a high quality stereo sound with easy to change reading language and reading voice.
Optelec ClearReader+ has external buttons and controls like play, stop backward, forward, speed, scan, volume and on/off. With the help of these buttons and controls it will become very easy for you to operate ClearReader+.
Features:
- Camera – State of the art, high resolution, 5 megapixel camera enables it to read clearly to you.
- Text Recognition – It has an amazing multi-lingual text recognition quality.
- Battery and Power – Integrated Li-ion battery for 5 hours continuous use.
- Portability – Foldable carrying handle.
- Audio output – Either through headphones or built-in stereo speakers.
- Languages – Up to 4 selectable languages available.
- Size and Weight – The weight of this product is not too heavy and can be carried anywhere easily. The size is just appropriate to fit it on a study desk.
For demos and sales contact : sales@barrierbreak.com
No CommentsMay 4, 2010
Dolphin EasyConverter – Tool to create alternate formats
Filed under: Alternate Formats, Digital Talking Books, Learning, Print Disability, Visual — techeditor @ 2:22 pm
EasyConverter is a tool by Dolphin to create alternate formats (altformat) of either printed documents or Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML or text files to large print, Braille, MP3 and Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) versions.
EasyConverter is a good option for people who do not have an altformat creation experience. A teacher can help his/her students with visual and learning impairments to cope up in their studies by converting the printed documents and text files into altformat versions.
The interface of EasyConverter software presents easy to use icons which have the options of Scanning, choosing to convert an already saved Word or PDF file, options of altformats, a conversion button and a saving the converted file button.
The altformats which are created by EasyConverter are:
- Large Print: Helps you make the text in your document larger for easy viewing.
- MP3: Converts text into audible files of MP3 frmat which can be heard in any media player.
- Braille: Converts text into Braille for the blind.
- DAISY: Converts text into Digital Talking Books.
EasyConverter has Optical Character Recognition Editor (OCR) application known as the OminPage. This OCR editor makes scanning PDF and printed documents more precise and simpler.
Also included with EasyConverter, is Dolphin EasyReader is a digital talking book player. EasyReader makes it possible for users to listen and read content with the help of a combination of speech, images and text. Use the EasyConverter and help your students educate themselves in a simple manner.
So, if you have this product in mind, do write to us to give it a try at: sales@barrierbreak.com
No CommentsMarch 15, 2010
Breaking News: SightSavers Dolphin Pen at an unbelievable price of Rs.9750*
Filed under: Accessibility, Assistive Technologies, News, Visual — Shilpi Kapoor @ 10:27 amThe SightSavers Dolphin Pen is a lightweight pen drive with a screen magnifier and screen reader, and Braille support designed to benefit those living in some of the developing countries.
It enables visually impaired people in India and other developing countries to gain the same access to computers as sighted people – and so to develop their skills and employment prospects.
This is an exciting venture because it is the first time a world-ranked assistive technology manufacturer has collaborated with an NGO (non-government organization) to make high-quality product such as this available at a cost price. In India the same is being launched with BarrierBreak Technologies providing training and support for the SightSavers Dolphin Pen.
Now, Blind and low vision computer users can now carry their assistive software on a pen drive and use it on any PC.
It is a combined screen reader and magnifier helps to reduce eye strain by allowing users to increase magnification or add speech during the day as eyes become tired.
It also includes a full screen reader for people who are blind, which can cope with text and Braille input together with speech and Braille output.
- Provides English and Hindi Support
- Voices provided are Sangeeta for Indian English accent and Lekha for Hindi
- Works on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7
Price of SightSavers Dolphin Pen: Rs. 9750*
* This price can ONLY be availed by Persons with Disabilities by providing the disability certificate.
What will this get you?
You will get a USB Pen with the SightSavers Dolphin Pen which includes screen reader, magnifier and Braille support. You will get updates for free.
Where can you buy this?
Get in touch with BarrierBreak Technologies at +91-22-26860485/6 and sales@barrierbreak.com
December 24, 2009
Accessibility Knowledge Series VI – Solutions For People With Low Vision
Filed under: Accessibility, Accessibility Knowledge Series, Visual — Shilpi Kapoor @ 4:52 pmMuch often, we attend meetings and conferences; Today, mostly every speaker uses Power Point Slides to express what they will have to say. Although they speak most of the time, there would be some important content / pictures that convey information more than the talk.
Telescope or hand held magnifiers would be of immense help for people who are partially sighted to get access to these presentations.
Telescopes come in variety of ranges such as 2x, 4x etc. and they can either be hand held or can be mounted into spectacle frame and the distance can be adjusted as needed. These gadgets could also be of help to school going children who have difficulty to see the board.
Secondly, to read business cards and other printed material, portable magnifiers such as Optelec’s Portable Magnifiers could be helpful.
Using this, one can adjust size of the font, adjust the contrast as needed such as black on white, white on black, yellow on blue etc. Even one can take the snap of the material and read at a convenient distance.
Reference:
This Accessibility Knowledge Series has been provided by Srinivasu Chakravarthula, Accessibility Manager, Yahoo! India R&D
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are solely those of the author as an individual with interest in accessibility and assistive technology and do not claim to represent those of Techshare India, BarrierBreak Technologies or Net Systems Informatics.
Contribute
Got an idea/product that would bring a change for persons with disabilities? Send it across to techshare@barrierbreak.com
December 10, 2009
Accessibility Knowledge Series IV – Audio Description
Filed under: Accessibility Knowledge Series, Visual — Mamta Tandel @ 5:29 pmAudio Description – Have you heard of it?
Often people get scared to ask a blind or low vision person to see a movie. It’s a simple myth that how he/she would enjoy a movie. Yes they can listen to the dialogues and the sounds and the music, but isn’t there more to a movie than just that.
So how can we give a person who is visually impaired the experience and enjoyment of the movie/television show?
We can add audio descriptions which is basically a narration of what is happening in a movie / television show. Audio Descriptions are delivered where there is a gap between the dialogues.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People, UK, conducted a research report – “Bollywood for all: an RNIB project on demand for audio described Bollywood films in cinema and on DVD”
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/tvradiofilm/film/Pages/bollywood.aspx
Watch a great audio-visual which simulates the need for audio description http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu0GYkuCrRg
When will we be able to have this experience for the visually impaired people of India?
Reference:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/tvradiofilm/film/Pages/bollywood.aspx
http://ncam.wgbh.org/richmedia/strategies/AD.php
http://www.skillsforaccess.org.uk/howto.php?id=104
This Accessibility Knowledge Series has been provided by Mamta Tandel, Accessibility Project Lead, BarrierBreak Technologies
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are solely those of the author as an individual with interest in accessibility and assistive technology and do not claim to represent those of Techshare India, BarrierBreak Technologies or Net Systems Informatics.
Contribute
Got an idea/product that would bring a change for persons with disabilities? Send it across to techshare@barrierbreak.com
No CommentsDecember 3, 2009
Its World Disability Day Again!
Filed under: Assistive Technologies, Elderly, Hearing, Learning, Mobility, Techshare India, Uncategorized, Visual — Shilpi Kapoor @ 2:41 pmWhere does education and the use of technology stand? A perspective on World Disability Day!
Its World Disability Day again, and where do we stand with regards to education and the use of technology? Though we have seen progress with the education of persons with disabled, we haven’t seen assistive technology play a role in their progress.
My perspective is that we have a long way to go.
I have met people with cerebral palsy who might benefit with a communication device or then struggles to use a mouse, but won’t adapt to a switch.
I have met people with low vision who can manage with magnification support but are forced into using a screen reader because no one would guide them and evaluate their needs.
I have met hearing impaired whose are so weak in their communication skills that they could use word prediction software to better their communication skills. So where does the gap lie?
Often the statements I hear are that I don’t want to use assistive technology or adaptive technology because:
- I don’t want to be different from “others”
- I didn’t know this product could help me
- I don’t know where to buy this from or it is too expensive
Let me break some of these myths today.
A person using spectacles and another wearing contact lenses are different from each other. The question I ask is so what if you are different?As long as you can be effective as any other person why should you worry about “so called tags”. If using an assistive technology gives you speed and efficiency, use it!
Educationist, government, assistive technology companies, need to come together to create awareness about assistive technology products and independent living aids.We need to not only have this information available, but we need to work on evaluation methodologies to choose the best assistive aid for the person.
We need to work with government and assistive technology companies to understand the needs of the Indian disabled population and the price points that will make things affordable and thereby accessible to all.
We need to work with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and to evaluate the ADIP scheme. In addition, we need to work with the Ministry of Human Resource Development to ensure that there are evaluation and implementation processes in place to assist the persons with disability to move forward!Visit the Exhibition at Techshare India 2010 on February 15-16th, 2010 to see a lot of assistive technology that can empower the disabled people!This article has been provided by Shilpi Kapoor, Managing Director, BarrierBreak TechnologiesDisclaimer:The views expressed herein are solely those of the author as an individual with interest in accessibility and assistive technology and do not claim to represent those of Techshare India, BarrierBreak Technologies or Net Systems Informatics. No Comments
November 26, 2009
Accessibility Knowledge Series III – Mobile Accessibility
Filed under: Accessibility, Accessibility Knowledge Series, Assistive Technologies, Developing Technologies, Hearing, Techshare India, Visual — Shilpi Kapoor @ 7:01 pm
Mobile Accessibility
With the advent of technology Mobile Phones are becoming more and more powerful and feature rich devices and are great temptation to have one with us. The visually impaired users are no exception to this.
Apart from making and receiving call and to sending SMS a phone is a gadget full of features including variety of communication options, navigation aid, reading appliance, internet device and yes, great asset of entertainment with the option to play and record multimedia content.
Thus the mobile technology is growing at a rate out of imagination but for Person with disability, it is not that easy to opt for high tech solutions that are made available to their non disabled counterpart.
Hold on, you will be happy to know that there are companies like Code Factory working to Make Mobile Phone Accessible to visually impaired and hearing impaired.
The Screen Reader and Magnifier are available for High-tech Phones running Either Windows Mobile or Symbian Series 60 or Blackberry (Orator). The software is capable of rendering Text in Audio or in Braille on a Braille Display. Thus making most of the things accessible out of the box such as personal information management, browsing internet, etc.
There are few interesting advantages of using a high-tech Mobile Phones with accessibility products.
- For instance using Mobile Geo can give the sense of independence in navigation and is very helpful in determining Point of Interest while navigating on a unfamiliar vicinity.
- The tools like color recognizer can help you to identify colors of different objects giving sense of independence over color choices.
- On account of learning, Daisy Books can also be played on a mobile Device thus evading the need to carry a separate device to read books. The Daisy player provides all the option available on any other hardware / software Daisy player.
Thus technology is changing lives of every one with no exception of Disabled people.
Reference:
Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/codefactory and on our blog at http://codefactoryblog.wordpress.com/
Website: http://www.codefactory.es
This Accessibility Knowledge Series has been provided by Caroline Ragot, Marketing Director, Code Factory, S.L
Disclaimer:The views expressed herein are solely those of the author as an individual with interest in accessibility and assistive technology and do not claim to represent those of Techshare India, BarrierBreak Technologies or Net Systems Informatics.
Contribute
Got an idea/product that would bring a change for persons with disabilities? Send it across to techshare@barrierbreak.com
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