[optacon-l] Extra Abilities Provided By The Optacon
- From: Catherine Thomas <braille@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:43:01 -0500 (EST)
I work as a braille transcriber and I must tell you that the layouts of
print pages are getting more and more complex as time goes by. Here is a
story that will interest you because the Optacon emerges as the definite
hero.
Recently I received an electronic document to transcribe into braille. The
document had been scanned but the scanned version had not been examined. I
had to ask the customer for a print copy of the original document. Here
are some of the things that the Optacon uncovered.
1. The electronic scan had missed all the major headings in the
document because they were in inverse color (white on black).
2. The document contained bi-directional printing--words that ran
from the top to the bottom of the page. The scanner missed those entirely
also.
3. A very large table had headings across the top and also along
the sides. The scanner picked up all the text but not nearly in the
correct order.
4. Rather than using tables, some of the text had been represented
graphically with lines and squares pointing to things and words and
numbers that pointed to nothing at all. I could not interpret that mess
with the Optacon, but I could determine when I got some sighted help that
all the relevant information had been included.
Many blind people merrily scan documents never even realizing that half
the text could be missing, or as someone mentioned out of order. This is
particularly damaging when for instance an answer key is involved, Unless
it lines up exactly, the person receives totally wrong information.
I often encounter pictures in my work. Some of them are labeled with
important data and some are just decorative and unimportant. The Optacon
can sometimes help to figure out which is which and, if nothing else, the
Optacon can tell me when to ask for sighted interpretation.
I use the Optacon every day, personally and professionally. I would have
to say that my life would be very different without the Optacon.
Catherine
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-Catherine Thomas
braille@xxxxxxxxx /
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