[visionrehabtherapist] Re: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: OrCam
- From: "" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> (Redacted sender "maduffy@xxxxxxx" for DMARC)
- To: "'krisbrown@xxxxxx'" <krisbrown@xxxxxx>, "visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "lag324@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <lag324@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2015 18:20:57 +0000
Hello Kristina and Leah:
I do have some direct experience with the OrCam and the OrCam team, which can
perhaps be helpful.
In my writing for VisionAware, I have featured the OrCam and OrCam personnel on
three occasions:
I first wrote about it in 2013:
http://www.visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/the-orcam-a-portable-wearable-visual-system-for-blind-and-visually-impaired-persons/12
Then, I interviewed Dr. Yonatan Wexler, the head of Research and Development at
OrCam:
http://www.visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/an-interview-with-dr-yonatan-wexler-head-of-research-and-development-at-orcam/12
Most recently, I provided an update when I asked OrCam to respond to
disgruntled/dissatisfied customers:
http://www.visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/a-progress-update-the-orcam-wearable-visual-system/12
Even though I write about the OrCam, I try to be scrupulously neutral. I am
neither pro nor con in regard to the device. All I try to do is provide
information.
Three weeks ago, I received an invitation from Dr. Wexler to meet with the
OrCam team at their New York office for a personal demonstration. It was just
me and Dr. Wexler (who flew in from Jerusalem for the meeting), Rami Ben
Yehuda, the VP of Sales and Marketing, and Rhys Filmer, the Sales Director.
They spent many hours with me, making sure I understood the functions of the
device. I also tried it out, under their supervision, in a variety of settings.
They were most gracious and generous with their time.
Yet, I am still neutral, for sure. But they do exist - this I know. Will I
write a glowing story? No way, not yet. I have some impressions from my tryout,
but they are only impressions.
I hope this helps. If anyone would like me to write to Dr. Wexler and let him
know that there is some displeasure, I would be happy to do that for you.
Maureen A. Duffy, CVRT
mduffy@xxxxxxx
www.visionaware.org/blog
http://www.visionaware.org/info/about-visionaware/contributors/maureen-a-duffy-ms-cvrt/235
www.twitter.com/visionaware
www.facebook.com/visionaware
www.linkedin.com/in/maureenaduffy
Associate Editor, Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness
www.jvib.org
Subject Matter Expert, Hadley School for the Blind
www.hadley.edu
Adjunct Faculty, Salus University/College of Education and Rehabilitation
http://www.salus.edu/cer
Sent from Surface
From: Leah Gerlach
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 1:36 PM
To: 'krisbrown@xxxxxx', visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
'visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
I have been attempting to correspond with OrCam directly over the past 2 years.
They respond to my e-mails with a general answer but are not following through
with my requests for a unit or to be considered as a trainer. So my response is
that they are very unreliable with their support of the device. I even talked
with their representatives while at CSUN and they assured me someone would get
back to me, still no response. So good luck
Leah Gerlach, M.S.
Rehabilitation Counselor and Assistive Technology Specialist
Signature LOGO SILV
Spectrios Institute for Low Vision
at Deicke House
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Wheaton, IL 60187
P: 1-630-690-7115
F: 1-630-690-9037
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From: visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brown, Kristina
L.
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 12:08 PM
To: VRT Listserve (visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx);
'visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [visionrehabtherapist] OrCam
Does anyone out there have experience with the OrCam? Link is below.
http://www.orcam.com/
I work for Division of Voc Rehab in ND and our program has purchased 2 of these
units for low vision/blind participants in voc rehab program. Although each
individual has completed the training for the use of the device and are
proficient in theory on how it functions, They are not experiencing anywhere
near 100% accuracy with the unit. Sitting at a table and reading printed
material in a controlled environment it performs very well at OCR. But when
taken out into the community to try to read street signs, labels on food or
other store items we are running into all kinds of problems. I am trying to get
the representative back here to complete further training, but no luck yet. The
company only allows for 3 hours of training when the unit is hand delivered to
client and when that’s used up, all that is left to do is call customer
support. What we need is more hands on training in various settings. If anyone
has any experience with this product I would sure appreciate off list
discussion.
Thanks so much
Kristina.
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He
didn’t trust me so much.” - Mother Teresa
“Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as
good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” - Charlotte Whitton
- References:
- [visionrehabtherapist] OrCam
- From: Brown, Kristina L.
- [visionrehabtherapist] Re: OrCam
- From: Leah Gerlach
- [visionrehabtherapist] OrCam
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