Hi Hussein, I think you've got hold of the wrong end of the stick. The poster didn't say that the technology should be paid for by third party organizations. He was saying that that was the attitude of the producers and suppliers of the technology.
John.----- Original Message ----- From: "Hussein Patwa" <accessuk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:12 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Intel debuts text reader for the blind
Hello,Firstly, thanks very much for that. I personally was not inclined to go andread further about the new Intel reader, but nevertheless this article was interesting. I'd just like to pick out one point made in the article because I disagree completely with it.Before I go on, and given recent actions on this list, let me just say thisis not intended to start an argument, offend anyone, be they a company orindividual, discriminate in any way, or otherwise give good grounds for anydisciplinary action. Further, this does relate to both technology and the visually impaired, so I'm hoping this isn't going to be consigned to the trash can before it sees the light of day.I take umbrage with the comment by the anonymous poster that the technology should be paid for by 3rd parties because it's designed for and will be usedby the disabled. I feel this sheds a very bad light on the disable'sability to generate disposable income, and also gives a negative connotationto them having any sort of independence. It seems to be suggesting that because the disabled have a need for this technology, and because they are unable to pay for it, then they should receive aid from third parties. All laws, statutes and statistics aside, I know from first hand comments from several on this list that there are many blind and disabled persons enjoying really happy lives and making a good income. If we take the thought behind the comment, should these people not be entitled to do so? Just think on that one for a moment.What I'd say is that I personally disagree with the comment. I respect allthose who have borne struggles and triumphed. I also empathise with those who have been less fortunate. But whatever you do, I'd encourage you tostick to what you believe in, and don't lose hope of achieving what you wantjust because some people feel that the disabled should only live onhand-outs and cannot fend for themselves. If you do want to make use f theservices, including financial that you are entitled to, then good on you,and as long as it's legal, why not? Whether you want to rely on aid to buy your technology, or fund it yourself, you are just as entitled to do both asyou see fit.Again, my sincere apologies if this has crossed the line. Further, just asa disclaimer more than anything, I was just making this one comment as I felt strongly about it. I'm not personally encouraging, nor intending forthis to start an argument or debate on the independence ova the disabled or lack of, but if anyone does want to comment to me directly, feel free to doit off-list. _______________________________________ Have a pleasant day, Kind Regards and Best Wishes, Hussein. Hussein Patwa Tel: 0789 47 595 62 (UK) Tel: +44 (0)122 4433 954 (SIP) Skype: patwaspotterfan2 GoogleTalk: thewanderingwriter Web: www.patwanet.co.uk My Blog: http://patwaspotterfan.livejournal.com Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510013486 Please note: For security reasons calls from witheld numbers may not beconnected. Please release your number so it can be viewed prior to calling.Contact your telephone service provider for advice on how to do this if required. All calls may be recorded for fact verification. DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential or sensitiveinformation and are intended solely for the stated recipient(s). Copying ordistribution in any form is not permitted without the prior consent of the sender. If you have received this message in error, please delete it and any attachments from your system and notify the sender immediately. Thank you for your co-operation.Protect our trees; Do not print unless absolutely necessary. Save paper bydeleting sections of the message which are not relevant.-----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Leake Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 9:21 PM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Intel debuts text reader for the blind see below, article about the above by Mike Calvo from Serotech. it gives an interesting perspective! What I think About the Intel Reader Yesterday marked the release of a product which, according to Intel, would revolutionize the way the blind and others with reading disabilities accessed printed materials. During those few fleeting moments between hearing of the announcement and reading the actual press release, I had high hopes that a mainstream company would demonstrate its dedication to accessibility and innovation at an affordable price. And with backing from companies and organizations such as Humanware, Lighthouse International and the Council for Exceptional Children, I felt certain that the device I was going to read about would be very impressive indeed. The Intel Reader, a device about the size of a paperback and weighing approximately 1 pound, is equipped with a camera and text-to-speech allowing print documents such as newspapers, menus, and signs to be converted in to a readable form by the blind and others with print disabilities. With the addition of a capturing station, sold separately, the device can be used to scan and convert more lengthy materials such as textbooks and novels. It can also read existing etexts in Daisy format as well as play standard MP3 and Wav files. This feature set reads quite a bit like other mainstream and custom-built solutions on the market. In fact, the only jaw-dropping aspect of this product is its price. The device itself can be had for a mere $1499, and you'll pay an extra $399 for the privilege of using the capturing station. After the initial shock, I and many others in the blind community began looking more closely at the information available about the device, just to ensure that we hadn't overlooked anything truly awe-inspiring. After all, for its price, there had to be something which set the device apart from existing solutions such as the KNFB Reader for performing OCR on documents on the go, the forthcoming free e-reader from Kurzweil to read existing Daisy documents, off-the-shelf solutions like a PC, scanner, and ABBYY FineReader for more involved projects like scanning textbooks, or even the $259 Amazon Kindle, which isn't currently accessible but could be made so with a little effort and encouragement from the community. As we learned more about the Intel Reader, there was plenty to make this device unique. First, while most portable scanning solutions like the KNFB reader for mobile phones or a scanner/Netbook combo are equipped with wi-fi access, the Intel Reader can't make that claim. In this article from VentureBeat it is stated that wi-fi is absent from the product because web-connected devices aren't allowed in some classrooms. Far be it from us to suggest including wi-fi and leaving it up to school IT professionals to handle whether or not to grant wi-fi access, as they must do for all other wi-fi-equipped mainstream devices. In addition to having no wi-fi capabilities, the device is also unable to handle HTML content natively. Rather, a user must first convert the HtML document to plain text before it can be read. This doesn't bode well for a device whose major goal is purportedly to take the hassle out of reading for the blind and print-disabled. Given that this device appears to boast no significant features setting it apart in a positive way from existing solutions, we must ask why the device was created in the first place. Ben Foss, the Intel representative spear-heading the project, has a lot to say on this. Foss states in a press conference: "A metaphor for this are the ramps that make buildings wheelchair accessible. This reader is like a ramp." Unfortunately, this particular metaphor is far from apt. While wheelchair ramps are an example of smart universal design principles in action because they're just as useful to a walking mother with a stroller as they are to a person in a wheelchair, the Intel reader has been manufactured and marketed exclusively for the blind and print-disabled without a thought for universal design. Foss goes on to acknowledge that the price is not cheap, but guess what, folks? It's ok. You see, the device contains several custom components. Never mind that the essential components are a 5-megapixel camera, flash memory, and Intel's own low-cost Atom processor which can all be had for under $250 as parts. Are you questioning the price yet? No, don't do that. Intel can explain. Braille reading devices can cost upwards of $10000, so $1500 is really easy to swallow in comparison to that, isn't it? Never mind that comparing Braille displays and text-to-speech readers makes little sense. In essence, Intel is unapologetically asking us to accept this device's hefty price tag for no other reason than that it was designed specifically for the blind. Are we going to accept being blatantly charged a premium because of our blindness, especially by a company who claims to have a philanthropic bent? Remember Intel's Classmate PC, whose aim was to provide a low-cost and rugged netbook to students, especially those in developing countries? How can we take initiatives like that seriously when with this device Intel clearly shows it isn't interested in providing low-cost solutions to the blind students in its own back yard? Still, Intel didn't create this device in a vacuum. "Intel has done its homework on the device,", says Dorrie Rush, who serves as the marketing director for Lighthouse International. This signifies that Intel received input from blind and print-disabled individuals as it designed the product. So why is it that no one from these groups questioned Intel's decision to reinvent the wheel, and in a completely lackluster way at that. Why did no one from these groups encourage Intel to combine existing components to create an innovative and affordable product that could be beneficial to all? No matter how stunning a product Intel created, it still needed the backing of influential groups within the blind community in order to be taken seriously. For Humanware, who is among the companies distributing the product, partnering with one of the most lucrative and well-known mainstream companies was a huge accomplishment. Did Humanware leverage this relationship to educate Intel so that at least one mainstream company would design its products with accessibility in mind from the ground up? No! It did not! Humanware thanked Intel for producing yet another overpriced, sub par blind ghetto product, and jumped on the chance to convince millions of blind and print-disabled people that they need look no further than this bulky and expensive device to further their independence. When a mainstream company like Intel employs such tactics it is shameful. But from Humanware, a company who should by all rights have the interests of blind consumers at heart, these actions are nothing less than despicable. Because of Intel's status and high visibility, its new product rated mentions in mainstream publications as well as those which are more blindness-oriented. In this somewhat flippant article from Engadget, the authors posit that a device like the Intel reader could be created for under $500, and I suspect they're right. But the interesting reading isn't so much the article itself, but the comments. One post says in part: "Sure, you could build something that did something similar for less money, but would you then be able to give it to a nearly blind person to use all day, everyday? Completely implausible for $500." This same poster goes on to say: "besides, the target audience for this device is disabled -- it should be paid for by 3rd parties because it meets the requirements to be classed as an aide for the disabled." And there you have it -- everything that we despise about this product's existence all wrapped up in a smug, condescending little package and tied with a bow. Essentially, this poster believes that nothing which wasn't created specifically for the blind could possibly work well in a day- to-day situation. Not only that, but there are apparently an abundance of tax dollars to go around for purchasing overpriced devices. And luckily, the blind person need not ever make a decision as a consumer since there's a benevolent 3rd-party agency to take care of such things, rendering the process of making choices for oneself unnecessary. So, are we, as a community, going to let this stand? Are we going to throw our support behind Intel, who spent countless hours and research funds to offer us a third-rate product which is priced out of our reach? Are we going to put our hard-earned money in the pockets of Humanware, who squandered their one chance to truly shape the direction of accessibility in mainstream technology in favor of making a quick profit? Do we want to continue accepting the pronouncement that blind ghetto products are not only necessary, but worthy of our everlasting gratitude? Or are we going to tear down those ghetto walls and demand our rightful place as the smart and savvy consumers that we are! And before you say that you're only one consumer, that your voice will never be heard, I will tell you that you're wrong. You can make a choice to be educated about what you buy before you make a decision. And once you embrace the power to choose, you'll want to share that power., and you won't want to stop with just one person. You'll tell every blind person you know to stop and think before choosing a product which has no claim to fame other than being designed for the blind. You'll tell the blindness agencies and school systems who already struggle with tight budgets to stop and investigate before accepting the party line and purchasing something which does half as much at twice the price. And to those companies who are banking on your willingness to accept anything less than the best just because it's been given the stamp of accessibility, the sound of your wallet slamming shut an the realization that you are actually "a consumer" with a functional brain and an opinion will convey your point quite eloquently indeed! Posted by Mike Calvo at 6:59 PM Cheers Paul paul.leake@xxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.60/2495 - Release Date: 11/10/09 19:56:00 Cheers Paul paul.leake@xxxxxxxxxxxx ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Beasley" <pjbeasley@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <tafn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 12:02 PM Subject: [access-uk] Intel debuts text reader for the blind > I'm sure we will see this device in this country sooner or later. > > Intel debuts text reader for the blind > http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10394236-93.html > Intel is doing its part to help people with sight or reading > disabilities enjoy the written word. > The company announced on Tuesday the debut of the Intel Reader, a > handheld text-to-speech device that can read any printed text aloud to > those who are blind or have difficulties seeing or reading. > The Atom-powered device uses a high-resolution camera to capture images > of any printed text, which it then converts into digital format to read > out loud. The Reader can be used as a standalone device to snap pictures > of text. But paired with Intel's Portable Capture Station, which can > hold the Reader in place, the device can grab huge amounts of text, such > as an entire book, according to Intel. > "We are proud to offer the Intel Reader as a tool for people who have > trouble reading standard print so they can more easily access the > information many of us take for granted every day, such as reading a job > offer letter or even the menu at a restaurant," said Louis Burns, vice > president and general manager of Intel's Digital Health Group, in a > statement. > A check at some of the retailers selling the Intel Reader revealed its > base price to be $1,499, with the Portable Capture Station an additional > $399. > Weighing one pound, the Reader is the size of a paperback book. The > tactile buttons and voice-operated menus that control the device have > been designed so sightless people can use it, Intel said. Individuals > with poor vision can also zoom in or out of the display and increase the > font size of its text. > The 5-megapixel, autofocus camera can snap a picture of text anywhere > from 4 inches to 1.1 yards. The content itself is stored on a 4GB > solid-state drive, which Intel says can hold up to 600 processed pages > (images and text) or 500,000 text-only pages. > Users of the device can create MP3 versions of printed text to be played > on computers and music players. Certain audio books can also be loaded > from computers directly onto the Reader. > The idea for the Reader sprang from Ben Foss, an Intel researcher who > learned in elementary school that he suffered from dyslexia. As an > adult, he continued to face challenges reading, unable to find many of > his favorite books and journals in audio format. > "As someone who is part of this dyslexic community, I am thrilled to be > able to help level the playing field for people who, like me, do not > have easy access to the printed word," said Foss in a statement. "The > Intel Reader is a tool that can help give people with dyslexia, > low-vision, blindness, or other reading-based disabilities access to the > resources they need to participate and be successful in school, work and > life." > Intel said that the Reader has been endorsed by the International > Dyslexia Association as an important advance in assistive technology. > The company is working with organizations such as Lighthouse > International, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and the > National Federation of the Blind to reach out to people who have trouble > reading printed text. > The device will be available in the U.S. through select resellers, > including CTL, Don Johnston Incorporated, GTSI, Howard Technology > Solutions, and HumanWare. > Like other tech companies, Intel has ventured into the health care > market with new products and services. In 2007, the company launched the > Motion C5, a device to help hospitals better monitor and measure patient > data. Earlier this year, Intel and GE announced a new alliance to > develop health care technologies for seniors. > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature database 4595 (20091111) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] > ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > ** and in the Subject line type > ** unsubscribe > ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the > ** immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] > ** or send a message, to > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.60/2495 - Release Date: 11/10/09 19:56:00 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4597 (20091111) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signaturedatabase 4597 (20091111) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
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