Arabic-L:LING:Arabic Reading Machine for the Blind

[Dilworth B. Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Mon 30 Apr 2001
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject: Arabic Reading Machine for the Blind

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1)
Date: 30 Apr 2001
From: Digitek <sakhrus at erols.com>
Subject: Arabic Reading Machine for the Blind

Reading Arabic Aloud for the Blind

Reading Machine Makes Using Computers and Reading Texts a Matter of
Talking & Listening

Washington, April 25, 2001- Digitek International, North American
distributor of Sakhr and Harf software products, has just released
the new Sakhr Reading Machine to local markets.

The Reading Machine gives Arabic- and English-using blind and
partially-sighted users voice command of their PCs. For the first
time, visually challenged users of Arabic and English can take
command of their PCs, their use of the Internet, and access scanned
text when and as they wish.

The Reading Machine program reads aloud Internet screens, scanned
text, and even keyboard input. Users first train the software to
recognize their voice commands: giving them control of their personal
computers by voice alone. Then, as they type, or access Web pages, or
handle scanned text, the Reading Machine speaks to them. Vocalizing
keystrokes also serves as an effective verification of their typed
input.

Already blind translators and Websurfers are adding the Reading
Machine to the repertory of tools that enable them to surmount the
challenges at work and online

The Reading Machine uses Sakhr's proprietary bilingual text-to-speech
research and its voice recognition software engines to give users
state-of-the-art capabilities.

One of the interesting side effects of the Reading Machine is the way
that it has sensitized the sighted to world of the visually
challenged. Because the program dispenses with the mouse as an input
device, sighted technical support specialists for the Reading Machine
have to learn to listen rather than read as a way of understanding
what is going on. When Digitek's staff were learning the program,
they had to close their eyes in order to focus on the vocalized
instructions rather than reading and using a mouse to respond.
Sakhr's Reading Machine became a tool for understanding across
disabilities.

The Sakhr Reading Machine runs under Arabic Windows 98 and requires
Arabic MS Word.

For more information and pricing, contact:

Mark Meinke, Digitek International, 7038830134

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End of Arabic-L: 30 Apr 2001