Dolphin Producer to Solve Learning Disabilities

Dolphin announced the release of Dolphin Producer, the latest computer software to help people affected by print impairments and dyslexia.

To cater educational content and information to the varying needs of pupils in a classroom at the appropriate time is very difficult. Those involved in the educational process find it challenging to deliver simple and easy learning materials to students with a wide variety of learning issues.

Dolphin Producer combines a simple word-reading tool and DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) creation tool. It allows on-screen information to be converted into audio and read back directly from the computer, along with promptly converting the on-screen text into a fully synchronized text and audio DTB.

All the features of Dolphin Producer are accessible from the user-friendly toolbar which is automatically loaded within Microsoft Word, and can be positioned anywhere on the screen. By using this toolbar, Word documents can be read back instantly with the text highlighted in time with the corresponding audio. Text colors and word highlighting colors can be customized to suit the individual’s requirements. Navigation controls in the DTB allow the user to move through the words, sentences, or paragraphs rapidly.

The information could be accessed through the DTB at anytime from anywhere. Using the Dolphin Producer, a fully synchronized text and audio DTB can be created. Teachers do not have to spend time manipulating existing materials, such as large print formats or color manipulation. By using Dolphin Producer and a TTS speech synthesizer, all the document’s text can be converted into a structured DTB. This can then be played back on the computer, using Dolphin’s EaseReader DAISY player, which comes with Dolphin Producer.

Users also have the ability to copy and save their own DTB on to a CD, to be played back on any other portable DAISY DTB player or MP3 player.

A Digital Talking Book combines all the features of the written text and the audio recordings of the text in a single structured format. By combining and synchronizing the text and audio, you have the option of reading and listening independently and simultaneously. As the audio is played, the corresponding text is highlighted, providing a totally accessible and multi-sensory experience.

Dolphin Producer is the ideal solution for converting course materials, revision notes, magazines, periodicals, and reports into fully synchronized text and audio DTBs. Teachers and students can create their own fully interactive DTBs from many different sources. Using a speech synthesizer text files are converted and automatically synchronized with the text.

Steve Palmer, Dolphin CEO, comments, “It is estimated that over 25% of children in schools are affected by a print impairment, which may be due to low vision or blindness, as well dyslexia and dyspraxia. Without effective help, these children will find it difficult, if not impossible, to learn at the same rate as the rest of their class, and they may find they are being left behind through no fault of their own. At Dolphin we aim to offer solutions that will improve educational standards for all children, enhancing their self-esteem and providing them with a better chance of future success. Dolphin Producer offers a simple and effective solution for teachers and pupils alike – offering a mechanism for quickly converting the text information into speech. Now everyone in the class can use the same information, at the same time, but in the form that suits them best.”

Source: Dolphin Education