Optical character recognition

Optical character recognition (OCR) systems are tools used for converting printed documents in to an electronic format which can be edited and saved on a computer. An OCR system can be used by installing it on the computer as well as a stand-alone product. An OCR system can convert both text as well as images of a printed document in to a standard computer file. However, it is not possible to make these images available in accessible format for users with visual disabilities. In addition, OCR system can not convert hand-written documents in to a standard computer file.

Most OCR systems include a scanner. During the process of conversion, firstly the document is scanned using the scanner and then it is converted to a standard computer file by the OCR system. Finally the converted document is read using synthesized speech with an in-built speech synthesizer. The converted file can be saved either on the computer or on the memory of the OCR system.

The OCR system includes a spell checking utility which is helpful while editing converted documents. All OCR systems create temporary file containing text and layouts of the documents that are converted. Some of the OCR systems also allow to access the converted files using different software's such as word processors, spreadsheets and database applications.

The OCR systems are capable of recognizing wide range of printed documents such as magazines, news papers, text books, bank statements etc. OCR systems can also efficiently convert information displayed using columnar layout. The OCR system will maintain the original layout of the document and convert the documents accurately. However, the accuracy levels are not satisfactory in the case of complex charts, diagrams and images of text.

OCR systems are used by people with visual disabilities, such as blindness, low vision, color blindness etc to read the information available in printed format. It is either not possible or difficult for people with visual disabilities to read the information available in print format. By using the OCR system, they can access the information of a printed document either with a screen reader, screen magnifier, Braille displayer or the in-built speech synthesizer. On the other hand, color blind people can adjust the color contrast of the converted file to meet their requirements.

In addition, OCR systems are used by people with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia as they find it difficult to read and interpret the information available in print format. People with dyslexia find it easier to understand the information when it is being read out to them. By using an OCR system they can read the converted file with the in-built speech synthesizer.

Features

Some of the basic features of OCR systems include:

• Adjust the volume and speed of the speech synthesizer;
• Ability to read by words, sentences as well as paragraphs;
• Support different types of scanners, such as flat-bed, sheet-fed and hand-held;
• Ability to convert different size of documents;
• In-built spell-checking utility helpful for editing documents;
• Ability to convert documents laid out horizontally as well as in columnar format.

Different OCR Systems

Some of the Optical character recognition systems available in the market are:

• Kurzwel 3000 for Windows: A product by Kurzweil Education Systems, works on Windows operating system. For more information,
  visit Kurzweil website - Windows (External Website) (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz3000.aspx#q2).
  
  
• Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh: A product by Kurzweil Education Systems, works on Macintosh operating system. For more information,
  visit Kurzweil website - Macintosh (External Website) (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz3000macV4.aspx).
  
  
• Scan & Read Pro: A product by Reading made easy, works on Windows XP & Vista operating system. For more information, visit Reading made easy website (External Website) (http://www.readingmadeez.com/ScanReadPro.php).
  
  
• Cicero Text Reader: A product by Dolphin Computer Access, works on Windows operating system. For more information, visit Dolphin website (External Website) (http://www.yourdolphin.com/productdetail.asp?id=14).
  
  

AT for Visual Disabilities

• Screen Magnifiers
• Screen Readers
• Braille Embossers
• Refreshable Braille displays
• Optical Character Recognition