Hi, thanks to all those who followed the second part of the dicussion on scanning pens and whether VI people can use them.
 
From what you have said there may be some limittations to this - but for those of you who have used these pens - if a VI person (well me actually) currently uses a normal highlighter to highlight  text which I would  read under a CCTV - do you think this scanning pens could be used successfully in the same way?? 
 
I would also not be talking about whole pages of text particulary as this I would do under a normal scanner, but for taking notes of quotes, so odd paragraphs and this sort of thing?
 
It may be that i would simply have to test one out for myself - has anyone any suggestions where I might actually test one? Several internet sites have been mentioned to purchase one but is there anywhere where one could be testsed with a purchase being neccesary?
 
I am midlands based, so either there or London?
 
Thanks
 
Susannah Barnett

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: Ian Litterick [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
	Sent: Wed 12.10.05 17:57 
	To: [log in to unmask] 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: scanning pens
	
	

	We sell these, and we should really have a page on our web site which makes the differences between the different pens clearer. You can however, download part of our catalogue from http://www.dyslexic.com/downloads/accessibilitytools.pdf which shows all three possibilities on the same page. 

	 

	They tend not to be very good for VI – you need to be able to see well enough to draw the pen along a line moderately accurately.

	 

	You would not want to scan large amounts of text with them – a page scanner is much more convenient for that. 

	 

	The speech is not really audible until you either hold it up to your ear or use the earphone, so not a problem in libraries. 

	 

	There are basically three types of Functionaility:

	 

	1)       scan and listen

	2)       scan, store and upload to the computer

	3)       dictionary look up.

	 

	You can get pens which offer different combinations of these. 

	 

	For dyslexic people who have problems decoding the occasional word, the Reading Pen and the SuperPen are great in solving the problem – with dictionary lookup in case hearing the word still does not fully identify it. 

	For taking notes and quotes the Quicklink Pen, SuperPen or Reading Pen with memory extension kit meet the need. 

	 

	Regards

	Ian Litterick

	http://www.dyslexic.com <http://www.dyslexic.com/> 

	http://www.iansyst.co.uk <http://www.iansyst.co.uk/> 

	 

	 

	
  _____  


	From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susannah Barnett
	Sent: 12 October 2005 15:59
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Subject: Re: [DIS-FORUM] scanning pens

	 

	Hi

	 

	Having never heard of this equipment before, I am interested in this scanning pen, but not for dyslexia as such - but could it be used by a visually impaired person to scan text which is too small for them to read - to then be downloaded onto a PC to be changed into a larger font??

	 

	And is it possible to turn the 'voice' function off, for example if someone was in a quiet library wanting to scan quotes from a book - could the voice reading function be turned off?

	 

	Just a thought?

	 

	Susannah Barnett

		-----Original Message-----
		From: Lim, Pauline [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
		Sent: 12 October 2005 15:18
		To: [log in to unmask]
		Subject: scanning pens

		Thank you everyone who responded -   have managed to get quite a bit of information about quite a range of pens that I will pass on to my student.

		Pauline Lim 
		S/L - Midwifery (School of Health) 
		Boundary House - Gorway Road Campus 
		University of Wolverhampton. 
		(01902) 518868 

		Be alert ......We need more lerts. 

		
		
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Sense, for people with deafblindness and associated disabilities. Charity no. 289868 www.sense.org.uk 

To win some fabulous prizes in Sense's Great Jubilee Balloon Race, go to www.thegreatballoonrace.co.uk or phone 020 7561 3304. 
_______________________________________________________________________

This message is intended only for the use of the person(s) ('intended recipient') to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible. This e-mail has been scanned for all
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