Vol. 2, No. 3, May/June 1994	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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AT Product Spotlight: A Computer That Reads

Ed Salisbury, AT Specialist, DATI Kent County Assistive Technology Resource Center

The Assistive Technology Resource Center in Kent County houses equipment for people with low vision at its satellite site, the Delaware Division of Libraries in the Edgehill Shopping Center. With this equipment, one has the ability to have the computer read any printed material in a clear pleasant voice. This material may be books, magazines, newspaper articles, or even personal mail. The printed material may then be printed in large print or even Braille. This system takes advantage of technology called optical character recognition, or OCR. OCR is the means by which the computer distinguishes between words and pictures or graphics and decides whether the text is in columns like newspaper articles or across the entire page. OCR technology, when combined with a screen review program and speech synthesizer, allows the text to be read to the user. All of this technology is not new. What is new is the integration of all the technology to make a product specifically designed for the visually impaired user that is not only easy to use, but affordable.

The heart of the equipment at the library is the Arkenstone Open Book Unbound software. Speech is provided by the DECTalk speech synthesizer. DECTalk allows the user to choose among ten male and female voices and even a child's voice. The user can choose a comfortable speaking rate and change such features as tone and volume. Once the material has been read, it can then be edited and printed in Braille or large print. At this time, there are at least six companies producing computer reading systems. Some systems can be installed on an IBM or compatible computer like the equipment at the library, while other systems are portable and self contained. For a demonstration of this equipment or information on similar equipment, contact Ed Salisbury at the Assistive Technology Resource Center in Kent County.