>>
>>5/1/2006
>>
>>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>
>>
>>
>>The Assistive Technology Center in Sacramento has announced the release of
>>the first complete portable scan-and-read system for the blind and print
>>challenged.
>>
>>
>>
>>The system, named the "AdvantEdge Reader", combines several mainstream and
>>adaptive technologies in order to achieve the goal of a pocket scan and
>>read solution.
>>
>>
>>
>>ATC founder Robert Leblond defines the company's mission as searching for
>>off-the-shelf applications that can be made to work for the blind and
>>visually impaired. Leblond has held this philosophy for nearly 2 decades,
>>and in the 1980's pioneered the concept of Braille transcription through
>>scanned and faxed documents.
>>
>>
>>
>>Today's release is promised to be a breakthrough in reading technology,
>>combining powerful applications with ease of use. "There is another
>>company working on a similar solution", Leblond says, "but the thing is so
>>hard to use as to be impractical."
>>
>>
>>
>>The AdvantEdge Reader, on the other hand, is the essence of simplicity.
>>The user merely inserts the material to be read into the scanner. The
>>material is scanned, recognized, converted into readable format, and read
>>automatically. There are no other steps.
>>
>>
>>
>>ATC has, for several years, been adapting scanners for use by the blind.
>>Most recently, ATC has adapted the Visioneer strobe scanner. This is a
>>tiny, portable scanner. The problem has been finding a small enough
>>device to host the conversion and speech programs.
>>
>>
>>
>>This is where the SmallTalk computer comes in. SmallTalk is a hand held
>>uPC enhanced with the screen reading software "Window Eyes", by GW Micro,
>>an Indiana corporation of some stature in the blindness field.
>>
>>
>>
>>Assistive Technology Center took the modified Strobe Scanner, figured out
>>how to install it onto the SmallTalk, and then added the proper
>>recognition program and hardware driver to create the AdvantEdge Reader.
>>
>>
>>
>>While other companies have tried to devise portable readers from the
>>ground up, Leblond frowns on this approach. "The trick is to make
>>yourself aware of the technologies available, and to merge them
>>appropriately, and to add a bit of your own, if necessary." He says.
>>
>>
>>
>>The best part is that, in addition to being the first portable scan and
>>read system, the AdvantEdge Reader is also a full Windows XP computer.
>>The Reader has a docking cable that allows it to be used as a desktop
>>computer replacement. The docking cable connects to an external monitor,
>>printer, network, keyboard, firewire devices, and more. Additionally, the
>>Reader features internal Bluetooth and Wireless LAN technology.
>>
>>
>>
>>To order, or for more information, please contact the Assistive Technology
>>Center via phone at 916-381-5011, or e-mail [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>************************************************************
>>Join the MMS program of ACB and help improve tomorrow today in ACB.
>>Contact Dr. Ron Milliman, MMS Program Committee Chair, by e-mail:
>>[log in to unmask] or by phone at 270-782-9325 and get started making
>>tomorrow look brighter today!
>>
>>* ACB-L is maintained and brought to you as a service *
>>* of the American Council of the Blind. *
>>--
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>>
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>
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