Reading aids are simple devices designed to assist those suffering from low vision conditions, from traditional handheld magnifiers to electronic video magnifiers and everything in between. Features can include lighting, magnification, image capture or text-to-speech reading – and Optelec offers a range of these solutions for daily and on-the-go use.

Handheld Magnifiers

Handheld magnifiers are handheld, portable devices used to quickly enlarge objects or text. Their handle usually folds up for compact portability; some also come equipped with built-in LED illumination that can be activated or deactivated with the push of a button, making these handheld magnifiers ideal for spot reading applications such as restaurant menus or bills, instruction manuals or bank statements.

Many individuals with low vision require both light and magnification in order to function in their home and outside, making the latest digital magnifiers an excellent combination. These electronic devices come equipped with screens that display electronically magnified images as well as advanced OCR software which translates the text onscreen into speech, making it easier for readers to hear what they are reading at any speed or voice language.

Digital magnifiers with speech output offer many advantages for use both inside and outside your home. You can keep one handy in your pocket, purse or briefcase for quick reading when waiting for an airline flight, train, bus or even shopping trips; or bring them along when out shopping at grocery stores or malls – even better, there may even be apps available on smart phones and tablets!

Britney, who suffers from advanced macular degeneration, finds handheld digital magnifiers more useful than large print or braille materials when reading shorter passages or engaging with others directly. She prefers accessing learning material both ways but finds handheld digital magnifiers to be much more practical for shorter readings and interactions in-person with others – an invaluable asset that ensures her independence and quality of life.

Video Magnifiers

Video magnifiers, also referred to as CCTV (closed circuit television) magnifiers, have built-in cameras that capture text or images and present them on a screen for those with low vision. Users can magnify text for easier reading sizes as well as see photographs, maps and documents more clearly – an assistive technology device commonly found in educational settings, workplaces and homes to allow those living with visual impairments remain independent while taking part in daily activities more comfortably.

Video magnifiers can be combined with electronic devices like computers and mobile phones to form new reading aids. When used together, these electronic devices create powerful reading tools. Video magnifiers can connect with computer programs that modify font, background color and other features of documents to make them more readable for students with visual impairments; these simple modifications can vastly improve comprehension while making learning simpler for some learners.

Many students use desktop video magnifiers to assist with homework, schoolwork and other work-related tasks. These magnifiers can be utilized at either a desk or table and offer advance viewing modes for reading, writing and arts/crafts activities. Furthermore, these magnifiers can also serve as personal grooming devices allowing self-viewing tasks like applying makeup, shaving and grooming of personal grooming needs.

Handheld video magnifiers are ideal for students on the move, as they can easily fit in a backpack or shoulder bag. Used at home, in class or while traveling on vacation – handheld magnifiers offer multiple display options and lighting conditions; additionally they can also enlarge objects on tablets like letters, prescriptions, menus or travel documents.

Some electronic magnifiers come equipped with voice recognition software that narrates text displayed on screen, providing an ideal solution for those having difficulty focusing on written text or fatigue from reading for extended periods. Other models, like OrCam, communicate visual information through a small camera mounted onto glasses allowing the user to manipulate image polarity or colors to highlight important details.

OCR/Text-to-Speech Readers

Scan/read systems combine optical character recognition software and speech output, enabling users to scan printed material into an electronic file and have the system read aloud its contents on a computer monitor.

Document scanning relies on an algorithm which recognizes patterns of light and dark pixels as characters from the alphabet, before OCR programs convert these patterns to actual text that can be highlighted, searched, and read out loud using text-to-speech engines.

There are various applications available that can provide OCR to text-to-speech services. Some are free, while others require subscription. Speech Central, for instance, offers premium OCR to text-to-speech technology with one one-off fee.

OCR capabilities are among the most advanced reading and writing aids. OCR allows a student to scan papers or books into editable digital files that can then be highlighted, searched and read aloud via text-to-speech software. Some programs even provide additional study skills functions like text highlighting of various colors, definition support and pronunciation support.

Many academic libraries incorporate text-to-speech functionality into their online systems, like Yale University’s library system which features an audible reading program of its documents in their collections. Other institutions, like Taylor & Francis, include this text-to-speech feature within articles published on their websites.

Some mobile apps also enable OCR and text-to-speech functions, including Apple’s Voice app which enables you to take pictures of printed text and have it read aloud; however, this app only works on iOS devices and requires an active Internet connection. Another mobile option available to Android device owners called iCapture takes pictures of text from pictures you take and converts them into audio files that can be played back over your speaker – without needing an active Internet connection!

Mobile Magnifiers

Some smartphones contain built-in accessibility features that enlarge text and other screen content, while there are third-party programs that take it a step further by presenting magnified text, icons and navigation tools on a computer screen – such as screen magnifiers such as MAGic LVS; Serotek System Access To Go; SuperNova Magnifier/Reader and ZoomText. People with no or limited functional vision may use screen readers to interact with computers using voice command or keyboard shortcuts.

A portable headband magnifier will free up both hands so that you can focus on hobbies and crafts in the basement or garage, repairs or renovations without fear of hand cramps or eye strain. From working with metal, wood or other materials – such as ceramic – a headband magnifier provides a large lens which reduces eye strain to allow fine details to be easily seen by its large lens. You could even use one when watching TV or reading mail!

There are desktop and mobile phone applications available that transform your smartphone into a magnifier, such as Night Light app for Windows phones combining dark theme with inbuilt magnifier that you can toggle on and off by pressing its button or adjust with two fingers. Other apps also provide various color filters or customization features to further personalize this experience.

Simple screen magnifiers provide an enlarged portion of original screen content such as text and other items as well as mouse pointer/cursor movement across the screen; as it moves across it follows it with no gaps between text/items/pointer. Note that while this device can assist those with low vision to navigate and read computer screens more easily, interacting with programs if their movements are jerky or flickery may prove challenging. Therefore, many individuals who find using a mouse or trackpad difficult and/or require magnification of content prefer talking computers. This software converts text to speech and is available from both OS makers (Google’s ChromeVox; Apple’s VoiceOver) as well as third-party companies like MAGic LVS and Serotek System Access To Go.