DOES YOUR
Presenter(s)
Dusty Voorhees
Freedom Scientific
St. Petersburg
Day Phone: 727-803-8000
Email: DustyV@FreedomScientific.com
This presentation will demonstrate the suite of low vision features as well
as the many other powerful features of the SARA Scanning and Reading Appliance.
Does your reading machine really work for your low vision clients?
This presentation will demonstrate the suite of low vision features as well
as the many other powerful features of the SARA Scanning and Reading Appliance.
Typically when someone mentions a reading machine we automatically think of
our blind clients and rarely consider the reading machine as a solution for low
vision users. The SARA Scanning and Reading Appliance was
designed from the beginning as a solution for both low vision and blind users.
The SARA features a set of powerful low vision functions to compliment its wide
range of auditory functions.
By plugging a monitor into the SARA you reveal a set of features designed
specifically for low vision users. Low vision users begin by adjusting their
font and font size. They can choose a foreground and background color
combination that gives them the contrast they need while eliminating glare
colors. Some users will also take advantage of the spacing feature to
increase the amount of white space between characters, words, lines and
sentences to eliminate characters running together.
Once the low vision preferences are set, they blend nicely with the
auditory features developed for blind users. During reading, word highlighting
is synchronized with the text being spoken. When speech is paused, the last
spoken word remains highlighted to aid the user in tracking their reading
position.
SARA’s the low vision features are
complimented, by a powerful set of scanning and reading features. Auditory
feedback starts with the natural sounding RealSpeak
Solo voices providing clear, understandable speech in 18 languages and
dialects.
The simple user interface allows even the most basic user to easily scan
and read textual information. A single button push will initiate the scan and
automatically read the recognized text. Another button allows the user to pause
and resume the reading of the text. The navigational keypad allows the user to
quickly navigate the document and to clarify words.
The user can choose between scanning modes for different needs or simply
use the one that works best for them. Scanning modes include Scan and Read,
Scan in Background, and Scan and Replace.
SARA comes with a selection of public domain books already installed and
ready to read, providing hours of reading enjoyment. The CD slot on the front
of the machine allows users to access books saved on CD from other sources by
using the Open from CD function. SARA will open a wide variety of text formats
including TXT, DOC and PDF, to name a few.
In addition, SARA is not limited to scanning in text or accessing
electronic text. Users can use their SARA to read a wide range of audio books
including formats such as Daisy, MP3 and Redbook Audio.
SARA provides a full featured scanning and reading appliance for blind and
low vision user. Users attending this session will understand the many powerful
features and will be able to connect the features with the needs of their
individual clients.
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