[blindlaw] Methods for Reading Handwriting

[Gerard Sadlier]

Hi Kerri,

I'd be glad to be corrected but I think the short answer is that there
are no such programmes?

Ger

On 5/14/15, Kerri Regan via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi everyone. I recently started my first full-time paralegal job at a
>  firm which deals primarily with Worker's Compensation and Social
>  Security-related cases. My position is mostly computer and
>  phone-based, communicating with clients and keeping track of a busy
>  caseload for my supervising attorney. The case management software
>  works well with JAWS and much of the paperwork the firm uses is
>  already scanned into the computer, but today I encountered a major
>  problem. There are forms that are filled out by medical professionals,
>  sent back to us and scanned into our system. While the forms
>  themselves are typed PDFs, many of the doctors fill them out by hand.
>  The handwriting comes across just fine for my sighted colleagues, but
>  when I tried reading the forms with JAWS' OCR utility I was only able
>  to read blank fields, not their content. Going over these forms with
>  clients is an important part of my job, and while my employers have
>  been wonderful and willing to adapt the position to better fit my
>  abilities, I'd prefer not to foist reading duties on one of my
>  colleagues and do all the work this position requires.  I know many
>  OCR programs have trouble processing handwriting, but are there any
>  out there that might be an exception?  I'm totally blind, familiar
>  with all Windows screenreaders and have the KNFB reader app on my
>  iPhone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for
>  your help, Kerri
>
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