Assistive Technology: OpenBook and PEARL

When I was growing up I had a close friend in my elementary school who had a fatal genetic disorder that caused her to loose her vision over time. When I first met her she was able to read books with large print, but throughout the years her vision quickly became worse until she was completely blind. She loved to read and luckily was able to have access to some braille books in our school libraries. However, in the 1990's there were not as many assistive and adaptive technologies for the visually impaired as there are today.

OpenBook is an assistive technology software that allows users to scan any piece of reading material into the software. The software can then read this material aloud or project the words on the screen. When projecting the words, users can change the font, size, color, background color, and spacing to help them see the words more clearly. This software is great for people who have all different levels of visual impairments. Someone who just needs to enlarge the font of a book or someone who is fully blind can both use this software.

OpenBook words with a regular scanner or with the PEARL which is pictured to the right. The PEARL is a portable camera that can be connected to a computer using the OpenBook software. The PEARL takes pictures of the reading print and then OpenBook can be used to read the material.

Together these assistive tools are great for all visually impaired users. The portable PEARL camera allows users to convert any print reading material into something they can read and enjoy. These devices could easily be used in a classroom or library so users could have access to all reading materials.

Check out this video from the Statewide Vision Resource Center on how to use both the PEARL and the OpenBook software:

Here are the links for both tools:
https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/openbook/
https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/lowvision/pearl/

OpenBook is a software that can be instantly downloaded to your computer. The PEARL is a camera that would have to be mailed to your home or school. Although both tools are pricey, they do provide instant access to all reading materials in order to include visually impaired students.

Comments

  1. ElaynaHMarch 1, 2020 at 6:49 PM

    One of my teacher friends just got these for her room, and I absolutely was fascinated by it. I think this is a great tool for students who may have visual impairments. I like that they go hand in hand as well. I also like that this is bigger than a handheld magnifier that could be utilized and is less likely to either go missing, or could be used by more than one student at a time if they are for example, buddy reading.

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