Scan and read devices include hardware, software, and mobile app options. They turn text into audio output. These tools are often used by people with low vision, and can also be helpful for people with learning disabilities.
The technology used for these tools is called “Optical Character Recognition”, or OCR.
What kinds of scan and read devices are there?
Desktop Devices
Desktop scanners may include their own talking software or connect to your computer to provide the reading aloud. Examples include the ClearReader from Optelec and the Pearl document camera from Freedom Scientific.
Both desktop scanners and mobile apps can be set to recognize columns and provide continuous “batch” scanning of multiple pages. Once the last page is scanned the device can begin reading the text aloud. In some devices you can save the text or send it to a storage drive.
There are also desktop magnifiers – devices with their own computer screen – that are able to read aloud. Look for the models marked with “OCR.”
Handheld Devices
Some handheld electronic magnifiers, such as the Optelec Compact Speech models, will let you listen to as well as view your text.
For handheld scanning without a magnification screen, consider the OrCam Read. Pen devices like the C-Pen Reader or ScanMarker can also read text aloud, but need to be directed line-by-line.
Wearable Devices
Companies like OrCam and Envision make scanning devices that you wear on your head. This keeps your hands free, while directing the camera at whatever you are looking towards – whether it is a book, a package, or a sign that you need to read. The scanner is often built onto a frame that you wear like glasses.