[Dtb-talk] Intel Releases New Reader, Also Reads DAISY

[David B Andrews]

Intel Corporation
2200 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1549
 
 
Ready, Set, Read: Intel* Reader Transforms Printed Text to Spoken Word
 
Intel Launches Mobile Handheld Device for People with Reading-Based
Disabilities, 
such as Dyslexia or Low-Vision, or for Those Who are Blind
 
 
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
·   The new Intel Reader (reader.intel.com), a mobile handheld device,
increases independence for people with reading-based disabilities.
·   The size of a paperback book, the Intel Reader converts printed
text to digital text and then reads it aloud to the user.  
·   The Intel Reader can help the estimated 55 million people in the
U.S. who have specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia or vision
problems.
 
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 10, 2009 * Intel Corporation today announced
the Intel* Reader, a mobile handheld device designed to increase
independence for people who have trouble reading standard print. The
Intel Reader can assist the estimated 55 million people in the U.S. who
have dyslexia or other specific learning disabilities, or have vision
problems such as low-vision or blindness, which makes reading printed
words difficult or impossible.
The Intel Reader, about the size of a paperback book, converts printed
text to digital text, and then reads it aloud to the user. Its unique
design combines a high-resolution camera with the power of an Intel*
Atom* processor, allowing users to point, shoot and listen to printed
text. The Intel Reader will be available in the United States through
select resellers, including CTL, Don Johnston Incorporated, GTSI, Howard
Technology Solutions and HumanWare.
When the Intel Reader is used together with the Intel* Portable Capture
Station, large amounts of text, such as a chapter or an entire book, can
be easily captured for reading later. Users will have convenient and
flexible access to a variety of printed materials, helping to not only
increase their freedom, but improve their productivity and efficiency at
school, work and home. The Intel Reader has been endorsed by the
International Dyslexia Association as an important advance in assistive
technology. Additionally, Intel is working with the Association of
Assistive Technology Act Programs, the Council for Exceptional Children,
Lighthouse International, the National Center for Learning Disabilities
and the National Federation of the Blind to help reach and address the
needs of people who have difficulty reading print.
*The Intel Digital Health Group*s expertise is in finding innovative
technology solutions to improve quality of life,* said Louis Burns, vice
president and general manager of Intel*s Digital Health Group. *We are
proud to offer the Intel Reader as a tool for people who have trouble
reading standard print so they can more easily access the information
many of us take for granted every day, such as reading a job offer
letter or even the menu at a restaurant.* 
The original concept for the Intel Reader came from Ben Foss, a
researcher at Intel who was identified in elementary school as one of
the estimated 20 percent of people nationwide who have symptoms of
dyslexia. Throughout high school, college and graduate school, he had to
depend on others to read to him or work through the slow process of
getting words off of a page himself. As an adult, much of the content he
wanted, from professional journals to pleasure reading, just wasn*t
available in audio form.
 *As someone who is part of this dyslexic community, I am thrilled to
be able to help level the playing field for people who, like me, do not
have easy access to the printed word,* Foss said. *Feelings of
loneliness are often the experience of not being able to read easily. We
hope to open the doors for people in these communities. The Intel Reader
is a tool that can help give people with dyslexia, low-vision, blindness
or other reading-based disabilities access to the resources they need to
participate and be successful in school, work and life.* 
             For more information on the Intel Reader or where to
purchase, visit www.reader.intel.com ( http://www.reader.intel.com/ ).
For additional media materials including photography and video, visit
the press kit at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/healthcare/reader/.
To learn more about Intel in health care, go to
www.intel.com/healthcare.
 
About Intel
            Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon
innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to
continually advance how people work and live. Additional information
about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroomand blogs.intel.com (
http://blogs.intel.com/ ).   
 
* 30 *
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the
United States and other countries.  
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
 
CONTACTS:  Lindsay Paul                             Shannon Love
                        For Intel Corporation               Intel
Corporation
                        212-614-4134                       
480-554-2899
                        lindsay.paul at bm.com  shannon.g.love at intel.com
 
 
 David Andrews
Chief Technology Officer
Minnesota State Services for the Blind
2200 University Ave. W., #240
St. Paul, MN  55114-1840
(651) 642-0513  Office
(612) 730-7931  Cell
(651) 649-5927  Fax