Use of Cantonese to give blind computer insight, HONGKONG STANDARD
( Hong Kong Standard )
07/05/1999

BLIND or near-blind Hong Kong Chinese may soon be able to use computers
by means of voice commands - in Cantonese.

        The customised software is being developed at the Chinese Computer
Laboratory of the Polytechnic University.

        It was one of the local information technology (IT) projects presented
recently at a forum on the commercialisation of IT research results.

        The forum was a joint undertaking of the Information Technology
Services Department, Hong Kong Venture Capital Association and Hong Kong
Information Technology Federation.

        Dr Lu Qin, deputy director of the Polytechnic Chinese Computer
Laboratory, said there was a need because programs available on the market
were mostly in English.

        Dr Lu said the development of suitable systems for Cantonese-speaking
people with faulty vision had been slow.

        ``It is therefore necessary for us, as Cantonese-speaking users, to
undertake the responsibility of developing a system that could facilitate
such a task,'' she said.

        Dr Lu revealed that a prototype of the software was now available and
there were hopes it would be formally launched in September.

        She said the software was still being fine-tuned in collaboration with
the Society for the Blind.

        The initial scope of the software was to facilitate the use of
standard Microsoft Chinese Windows operating system applications.

        Its input and output mechanisms would not only support the regular
keyboard, mouse and voice card but Braille as well.

        Dr Lu hoped the software would be able to give the blind or near-blind
better opportunities to find jobs.

        She said those who learnt to use the software could be employed as
encoders or typists similar to those working with firms now using English-
based programs. Funding for the project was provided by the Jockey Club.

        The government has been actively encouraging local IT experts to
develop new technologies.

        Director of Information Technology Services Lau Kam-hung said the
government had been financing technology development projects and research
through various funding schemes.


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