I have Omnipage 15 as part of my DSA support package, and find it very
useful. However, some of my VI friends prefer OpenBook which can read
aloud or export to text. they like it because it can start reading
one page will still scanning the next, so is good if you have
something long to read.
Emma
On 18/01/2008, Adrian Higginbotham <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Latest version of texthelp has a nice touch in that it lets you do realtime virtual ocr and tts on images of text - just right click select 'make accessible' although I think they call it something different and it does it all for you and without using up any trees.
>
> Of course kurzweil and adobe acrobat (rather than reader) do have this virtual ocr feature but there are still other steps in the process you have to do manually and of course you have to think of it as a solution yourself in the first place.
>
> Adrian Higginbotham
> Project manager: Learning services
> Becta
> Tel: Direct dial 024 7679 7333 - Becta switchboard 02476-416994.
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Web: http://www.becta.org.uk/
> BECTA, Millburn Hill Road, Science Park, Coventry, CV4 7JJ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of George Bell
> Sent: 18 January 2008 15:30
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
>
> Spot on, John! The major screen readers these days can indeed read the vast majority of PDF files, but with a few provisos.
>
> First, one should ideally be using Adobe Reader Version 8 where most files can be saved as text if required. However, some network/system administrators are slow to upgrade.
>
> Second, it should be understood that some PDF files are in fact just scanned images. It is not unusual for example to see newspaper articles this way. There is nothing you can do here, but print, scan and OCR.
>
> Third, authors very often go totally overboard with protecting their PDFs (which in some cases is understandable), some to the extent where you are not even allowed to save or print.
>
> Fourth, many people think PDF is an editing application like Word for Windows. It's not. A few seconds before a PDF came into existence, it may have been a Word, Excel, Publisher, or whatever file. Hence it may be worth asking the author if they would be prepared to release the original.
>
> Finally, there is a bit of a learning curve both in terms of both navigating PDF files with a screen reader, and creating them. However in neither case is it exactly rocket science.
>
> George W F Bell, Managing Director
> Techno-Vision Systems Ltd
> 76 Bunting Road Ind. Est.
> NORTHAMPTON, NN2 6EE
> Tel: 01604 792777
> Fax: 01604 792726
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Web: http://www.techno-vision.co.uk
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Conway
> Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 2:36 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
>
> excuse my ignorance, but aren't people supposed to provide "accessible" PDF, or alternative formats? doesn't using Omnipage Pro mean scanning paper copies and using OCR to convert to text which seems a lot of work for someone, especially for a blind person, and normally Omipage retails for around £60 I think.
>
> john
>
>
>
> Dr John S Conway
> Principal Lecturer /Disability Officer / Chair, Research Committee Royal Agricultural college, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6JS
> 01285 652531 fax 01285 650219
> http://www.rac.ac.uk/?_id=590
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of diana maniati
> Sent: Fri 18/01/2008 14:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: FW: Pdf's and K3000 files
>
>
> Dear Nasser,
>
> I am a screen reader user (jaws) and I have the same problem. Many of the documents I need to read for my work are PDFs. I was wandering if you could send me a copy of this software or if you could advice me were can I find it.
>
> Many thanks
> Diana
>
> Diana Maniati
>
> Disability Advisor
> Room C118
> Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College Beaconsfield Road
>
> Southall
>
> Middlesex
>
> UB1 1DP
>
> Tel: 020 8231 6371
> ----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Nasser Siabi
> Sent: 18 January 2008 13:01
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
>
>
>
> Hi Claire
> I think you will be able to do most of this by using the Omnipage OCR software. If you need a copy I will gladly send you one free of charge.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Nasser Siabi
> Managing Director
> Microlink PC (UK) Ltd
> Direct: 02380 240 316
> Mobile: 07870603128
>
> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software. Also destroy and delete the message from your computer. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Microlink. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Microlink accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
> Any modification of the contents of this e-mail is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorised by the sender.
> Registered address: Microlink House, Brickfield Lane, Chandlers Ford, Southampton SO53 4DP (Company number: 3325643)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Claire Wickham
> Sent: 18 January 2008 11:18
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
>
> Andy (or anyone else): I am searching for software that will enable a VI student to convert PDF files to word and make the files usable e.g. avoiding the line breaks that occur if you cut and paste. What is the best option and how do I get hold of it please?
>
> You can contact me at [log in to unmask]
>
> With thanks,
>
> Claire
>
>
> Claire Wickham
> Senior Disability Officer
> Disability Resource Centre
> University of the West of England
> Frenchay Campus
> Coldharbour Lane
> Bristol BS16 1QY
>
> Tel: 0117 328 3737
> Textphone: 0117 32 83644
> Fax: 0117 32 82935
>
> Please note that this e-mail was written using speech input and may contain some small voice recognition errors.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andy Mcmahon
> Sent: 15 January 2008 09:57
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
>
> Hi,
>
> I may be able to help with PDF files, you can change the flow layout.
> If you send me a few examples(off list), I will test them, and send back instruction.
>
> Also could also use a PDF2Word conversion programs which will strip the text to a word file, and you can modify to your own preferences.(does not work with all PDF files)
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Andy
>
>
>
>
> >>> Elaine Eldridge <[log in to unmask]> 14
> January 2008
> >>>
> I'm print impaired and my eyesight has improved to the point that I can read times new roman 14pt magnified 2x on a 37"
> gas plasma screen
>
> which I think equates to 26pt Times New Roman when printed.
>
> I can't however get pdf's and scanned books to magnify enough before they go off one side of the screen - the ideal would be to be able to
>
> resize and repaginate them.
>
> Has anyone come across this before and found a way to get around it??
>
> There are usually three elements to deal with - the text, images and tables.
>
> We thought of getting a printer to blow it up onto A2 or A1 but this would cost around £30 per page!!!! A3 printing isn't large enough.
>
> Kind regards
> Elaine
>
>
> This incoming email to UWE has been independently scanned for viruses by McAfee anti-virus software and none were detected
>
>
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--
Emma Jane Rowlett (née Wright)
School of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Nottingham
[log in to unmask]
www.accessingmaterials.org.uk
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