TOPAZ Freedom Scientifics' New Low-Vision Product Line

Freedom Scientific has published a new line of video magnification products. These products are meant for the benefit of low-vision users who generally have problems reading printed material. These new products enable low-vision users to easily customize how the information is displayed and facilitates activities like sewing, painting and repairing items.

Available in five models, the Topaz desktop video magnifier allows for easy reading of a variety of printed material including bills, tiny printed contracts, numbers in the phone book, labels on prescription bottles and many other documents. The material is placed on a movable slide table and the magnification levels can be adjusted to attain the best reading comfort. With a 19-inch LCD panel monitor and 16 magnification levels, the TOPAZ can magnify material from 2X all the way to 70X.

According to Dr. Lee Hamilton, president of Freedom Scientific, these types of products help people to maintain their independence as well as privacy. He pointed out that today there are more than 10 million people in America and over 100 million in the world with low vision.  The products from the company’s new line help people read their mail or handle finances. The software-enabled products can also enable users to go beyond these basics to more pleasurable pursuits, like crafts and hobbies.

Freedom Scientific is best known in the market for their blindness products, including the JAWS screen reader and refreshable Braille displays. The assistive technology industry was stunned when Freedom Scientific introduced a new line of Focus Braille displays at about 40 percent below the current prices.

Brad Davis, vice president of Freedom Scientific, points out that the company’s Braille displays demonstrate what their developers can accomplish with a concentration on design for manufacturability. He added that the same approach would be extended into the video magnifier segment modular design, ergonomic controls and standard features. He further added that this is first in a line of products meant to be the most comprehensive product line in the industry. The price range for the five Topaz models range from $1945 USD to $2995 USD, depending on monitor size and type.

Source: Freedom Scientific