Auto-Reader Benefits Low Vision Users
Published: Jun 20, 2007HumanWare presented preliminary results of a study on the auto-reading function of its new products. The results show several benefits of this newly introduced feature.
At the Vision 2005 conference Russell Watson of HumanWare presented the results of a study on the additional benefits the new electronic auto-reader offers over more traditional video magnification technologies. The auto-reader was designed to provide low-vision persons with a means of accessing information as efficiently as possible.
Auto-reading method
Text documents are captured by the device, automatically reformatted, and displayed to the subjects as either a scrolling column, a rolling continuous row of text, or as one word at a time. The subject has the ability to select a comfortable magnification level, select the foreground and background color, and control the text display rate. The reading speed, comprehension, fatigue levels and enjoyment levels of subjects were assessed and compared to those obtained when subjects read using a CCTV.
Preliminary results
Low vision users showed that, with the auto-reading technology, they could read longer compared to traditional low vision aids (like the CCTV). Comprehension levels were at the very least maintained by the automatic display technology contained within the auto-reader. Most users also preferred the auto-reading feature to the CCTV and found reading with HumanWare’s technology to be more enjoyable.
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Source: Vision 2005 Humanware
