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Computer Access: Scanning Software, Scanners and Personal Readers (Reading Machines)


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.

Name and Supplier
Price
Input
Output/Display
Comments
CATS Software
Australian Independence Products 
Micro Marvellous 

A$770 software only
Evaluation CD A$50
Scanner accessory A$300

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
Reads in multiple languages
File storage - internal storage up to 10,000 pages or connect to computer via USB

Kurzweil K1000
HumanWare 

Scanning and reading software A$1,685

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 
A$6,950
Bag A$185
OCR
Graphics
1-50 x magnification
Full colour or B&W
Image - positive/negative
Selectable colour with 56 colour combinations
Stand-alone auto-reader 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, hands free
Live mode: can also view photographs, diagrams etc
Transportable - 10kg
Can view PC via the same screen
OPENBook
Quantum Technology 
A$1,369
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
Optek Systems 
Compact: A$4,950
BE: A$5,200
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
SARA (Scanning and Reading Appliance)
Quantum Technology
A$4,833 OCR Voice output Stand alone scanner with simple controls and voice output
ScannaR
HumanWare 

A$5,580
Additional languages (French, German, Spanish) A$265
Carry bag A$350

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
Australian Independence Products 
Micro Marvellous 
A$1,900 OCR Speech

Stand-alone scanner which recognises print upside down and at right angles
Recognises multiple columns
Can store about 20 million pages
Simple controls

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

List of Suppliers 
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Statewide Vision Resource Centre - Victoria, Australia. Last updated November 2009.
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