Cell Phones for the Blind

Nokia knfbReader Mobile

This incredible Nokia cell phone could revolutionize communication for blind people. While the phone only costs $600, it’s the $2,400 software by KNFB Reading Technologies Inc. that will bring independence back to the visually impaired.

When the camera in the phone captures an image of text, the device can translate it into audible speech. Peter Alan Smith uses his phone to read restaurant menus; he captures the image, then listens to the options through an ear piece.

Imagine how complicated life would be if you couldn’t read; either you would rely on standard choices in situations like food ordering, or you would have to settle for dependence on those around you.

“At work, I can take a picture of two different documents to figure out which is which,” Smith said. “At home, if I’m making chili, I can take a picture of a can to make sure it’s the kidney beans before I open it.”

Cell phones for the blind are one of many incredible innovations we’ve seen to help those with poor vision live more independent lives. Check out some of the top innovations for the blind below.

Microsoft Targets Blind

Word Docs Translated to Audio With Daisy

Microsoft doesn’t plan on leaving anyone in the dark. The company teamed with Daisy digital talking books to develop some new technologies for the blind to make it possibly for even the visually impaired to take advantage of computers. The new program will translate Word documents into digital audio.

They’re collaborate to create a free plug-in that translates Word documents based on Open XML into Daisy XML. The downloadable plug-in is expected to be available in early 2008.

Microsoft is only one of many companies recognizing the market potential of the blind demographic.

PDA For The Blind

GW Micro VoiceSense

What makes this personal digital assistant suitable for the blind? It has a Perkins-style keyboard. This keyboard, designed by David Abrahams in 1951, has 6 keys that represent each of the six dots in the braille code. Any of the characters in the braille code can be produced through pressing different combinations of these six keys. Software on the Voicesense include a word processor, an email application, a media player, MSN Messenger, and others. The PDA has 1GB of memory and is even Bluetooth compatible.