A scanner is a device which, in conjunction with scanning software, captures text and/or graphics from a page for conversion to a computer file.
A Personal Reader is available in the public area at the State Library in Melbourne - contact the Disability Librarian on (03) 8664 7005 or 8664 7000. This scanner is available for public use at no cost and may be a good way for a student to trial a Personal Reader. Coburg Library also has an Adaptive Technology Room - phone (03) 8311 4111.
The following list offers many scanning options, however many more may be available in you local computer store.
Name and Supplier |
Price |
Input |
Output/Display |
Comments |
| CATS Software Micro Marvellous |
A$770 software only |
Scanner - OCR As per computer |
Standard computer screen Cursor always in view 12 contrasting colours, 2 fonts, 6 sizes |
PC: talking system Easy to use Spoken help, taped lessons No key combinations required - suitable for some physical and learning disabilities Includes typing tutor, spelling tutor, word processing, email, database, phone dialer and diary |
| Excalibur Reading Machine Robotron |
A$4,500 | OCR | Voice | Stand alone scanner with simple controls |
| Kurzweil K1000 HumanWare VisTech |
Scanning and reading software A$1,400-$1,450 |
OCR Can save to disk |
Speech 14 voices |
PC - Windows software only Can personalise size, font and colour scheme Handles columns Kurzweil 3000 - scanning, reading & writing software - available from Spectronics |
| myReader HumanWare VisTech |
A$7,250 Bag A$185 |
OCR Graphics |
Up to 45x Full colour or B&W Image - positive/negative Selectable colour with 56 colour combinations |
Stand-alone unit with built-in 15" display Captures a page of text and presents it either word by word, as a column or as a continuous row Automatic scrolling of text Live mode: can also view photographs, diagrams etc Can view PC via the same screen |
| OBR (Optical Braille Recognition) Quantum Technology |
Approx A$1,412 | Braille recognition | Can be viewed on screen, printed or rebrailled May need additional software (+$) |
PC software only |
Omnipage Pro 14 |
POA | OCR Graphics |
Can be viewed on screen and edited Version 14 as basic voice output |
Scanning software package Handles columns and graphics Converts PDF files to editable text |
| OPENBook Quantum Technology VisTech View: OPENBook |
A$1,596 Site licence and upgrades available |
OCR Graphics |
Speech Can be viewed on screen and edited |
PC software developed for blind and vision impaired people to read,
edit, and and save in different formats Comes with email, word processing system including dictionary and thesaurus Handles columns |
| POET Compact Optek Systems |
A$4,280 | OCR | Voice | Stand alone scanner with simple controls and voice output No file storage Can be connected to RBT refreshable braille display for deafblind users |
| Prisma Quantum Technology View: Prisma |
A$1,995 | OCR | 4-35x on 14" screen Image - positive/negative Compatible with screen reading software for voice output via computer |
Computer compatible scanner or use ordinary TV Portable, compact, height adjustment for overview or zoom, handwriting or crafts Folds up for easy storage |
| Pronto Reading Machine VisTech View: Pronto |
A$2,995-$3,475 | OCR | Speech | Flatbed scanner Available in English, French, German or Spanish Handles columns and inverted/rotated print |
| SARA (Scanning and Reading Appliance) Quantum Technology VisTech |
A$4,466 | OCR | Voice output | Stand alone scanner with simple controls and voice output |
| Scan and Read Pro VisTech |
A$220 | OCR | Speech - 5 voices and adjustable speed Print on computer - can zoom to 400% |
PC - software only Colour or B&W scanning Dictionary & thesaurus |
| ScannaR HumanWare VisTech View: ScannaR |
A$4,550 |
OCR | Speech | Stand alone flat bed scanner Tactile controls - 7 buttons Automatically scans text then reads aloud Includes BrailleNote direct connection Can save to scanner (up to 500,000 pages), external disk drive (+$), BrailleNote or VoiceNote |
| Serenade Stand-Alone Scanner Micro Marvellous |
A$ 1,900 | OCR | Speech | Stand-alone scanner which recognises print upside down and at right
angles |
| Simon Reading Machine Optek Systems Robotron |
A$2,995 (non-English A$3,495 |
OCR | Voice | Stand alone scanner with simple controls and voice output No file storage |