Blind and Vision Impairment: Smartphone text detection - OCR - text-to-speech apps

KNFB Reader

Having a smartphone app that detects text on a page, photographs it, OCRs (Optical Character Recognition) it and then reads it in life-like audio voice is an obvious advantage for users who are blind or vision impaired. This technology allows users to access text that is on signs, handouts, mail and other documents. While they’re no replacement for a screen reader on a desktop or laptop computer these smartphone apps are a handy accessory. When lining the smartphone camera up to the page the KNFB Reader also gives audio feedback on what direction the phone needs to be moved so that all the text on the page will be captured.