A new reading technology, which aims to help anyone who struggles to read or recognise faces and objects, is making a big difference for a vision impaired Greefields resident.
Sybil Smith said she had been using a product called the OrCam MyEye for a number of months, which sits on her glasses and converts text to speech.
A small camera is mounted on the user’s eye frame converting visual information into the spoken word, enabling people with low vision to instantly and discretely read text, recognise faces, as well as identify product and money notes.
“It has been 5 years since I have been able to read a book, and I’m finally catching up on all my reading,” Mrs Smith said after using the device.
Distributor of the OrCam product in Australlia Tim Connell, chief executive of Quantum RLV, said: “Accessing the volume of information we are presented with is challenging for people with a print disability, due to their low vision, so is important that people with low vision seek help early to maintain independence.”
“I have been working in this field for over 30 years and I have never seen a product make such an impact in such a short period of time.
“It is very exciting to be at the beginning of what is definitely a whole new era for accessing information.
“We have people from 16 right through to 95 years of age who have found that OrCam is simple to use, and that it really works, opening up their world of reading again.”
