As people age, vision difficulties such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts contribute to compromised vision. Among younger people, accidents and congenital conditions may cause impaired sight. Thanks to today’s technology, adapting to reduced eyesight is less challenging than in the past. One of today’s innovative tools is the talking reading machine, which converts text to speech using digital signals. Rehabmart offers several models and software to help adapt and adjust.

Whether it’s common household or classroom objects, spice bottles in the kitchen, or medicines in the cabinet, the Talking Label Wand prevents errors that could range from embarrassing to potentially lethal. The user records a message, touches the label, and the message is played back. It has 2 GB of memory, volume control, and an earphone jack.  The Wand uses three AAA batteries. It can also be used to record voice messages.

Users of Windows-compatible programs including Excel, Outlook, and Messenger will be able to write and edit documents, compose and send emails, work with dialog boxes, and use Instant Messenger with the Thunder Screen Reader software. It uses speech recognition and speech feedback to allow the user to enter commands and data verbally, then it gives feedback. The Thunder Screen Reader is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista and requires speakers or headphones for use.  

With its 8 GB of memory and a data base with 2.7 million music, grocery, and pharmacy items that can be identified by scanning the bar code, the ID Mate Quest just might be a perfect shopping companion. It can also identify currency, read and store documents and music files, and comes with labels for items that don’t have their own bar codes. The ID Mate Quest is quite compact at six inches long and seven ounces in weight. Earphones and microphones are included along with a rechargeable battery and charger.  

The Libra II Reading Machine with MP-3 Player allows users to scan multiple pages of text, then convert the files to MP-3 format and either stores them on the machine or uploads to an iPod or similar device.  Not only can users control speech rate, but they can adjust settings for pauses between words, punctuation, column formatting, and titles. Users additionally have a choice of two languages: English read in a female voice or German read in a male voice. It includes a USB port suitable for either an MP-3 player or flash drive and an AAA battery.   

Able to scan up to 200,000 pages of text, the Patriot Scan and Read is a good choice for everyday uses such as reading the mail as well as archiving in English or a choice of other languages. It comes with a copy of Project Gutenburg which contains 10,000 classic literary works, optic marker stickers for organizing and labeling items around the home and office, and a barcode scanner.  

Talking reading machines are appropriate for private homes, schools and offices, and long-term care facilities, and are suitable for helping the vision-impaired develop or regain their autonomy and the self-esteem that goes with it. 

Fran Jablway,
Senior Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO