Screen Readers

The LunarPlus Enhanced Screen Enlarger is a new screen magnifier for use with Windows 95/98 ($395) and Windows NT/2000 ($795). It speaks as you type and reads e-mail messages aloud. The LunarPlus has five different magnification views, a color changer, foreign languages, and it saves preferred settings. Stop by the Dolphin Computer Access Web site and try it for free at: www.dolphinusa.com or email: info@dolphinusa.com or call: (650) 348-7401.

JAWS 4.5
http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp
The newest version of JAWS—a dynamic screen reader—is available from Freedom Scientific. JAWS for Windows 4.5, has new features for browsing the web using Internet Explorer. JAWS 4.5 has easy to remember quick keys, coupled with online support that allow users to make the most of their online experiences. Quick keys also can be used during Say All, a voice recognition-option. JAWS 4.5 can recognize everything on the Internet, including paragraphs, headings,lists, and tables. A free demo is available at the Freedom Scientific Web site (above): Telephone: (800) 444-4443; fax: (727) 803-8001; general information: Info@freedomscientific.com.

The Kurzweil 1000 converts the printed word to speech on your personal computer. It utilizes a reliable optical scanning reader and FlexTalk, a crisp synthetic speech synthesizer. The Kurzweil 1000 is easy to use for beginners or advanced users. To learn more, visit the Lernout & Hauspie Web site: www.lhsl.com and request a free demo kit, or call (800) 894-5374.

Beep beep! Move over for the Road Runner! New from Ostrich Software—a portable reading device that reads anything in text from documents and books to Web pages and e-mail. It connects to your PC and it's not limited to use by persons with blindness or visual impairments. The four-ounce device runs on two AA alkaline batteries and has a large memory (2 MB) to store entire books, or notes for a meeting, school presentation or whatever you'd like. It comes with a set of stereo headphones, or it can be used with amplified computer speakers. It travels anywhere. Road Runner comes with a full range of synthetic voices, with the capability of adjusting the rate of speech ($349). For more information, visit the Ostrich Software, L.L.C.Web site at: www.ostrichsoftware.com; telephone: (925) 552-0750; fax: (925) 838-2958.

The Homepage Reader was one of the first talking Web browsers for people with blindness or visual impairments. It is produced by IBM's Special Needs Systems. Now there's a free upgrade available from version 2.0 to version 2.5, for use in multiple languages, or to navigate Web pages via the numeric keypad. Homepage Reader Version 2.5 audibly communicates complete information from graphical user interface Web pages to the user, including tables, frames, forms, and alternate text for images. The full range of Web page data is provided in a logical, clear, and understandable manner. Home Page Reader speaks link information or ALT text for images and image maps. In addition, the product speaks HTML 4.0 information provided by Web page authors so users can read summaries and table captions. Users can navigate and read complex tables, such as television listings, using table navigation mode.

OpenBook 6.0
http://www.freedomscientific.com
OpenBook 6.0 is a combined scanner and a reader for reading, editing, and managing printed text, now enhanced with new features. Users can plug in a note-taker or scan text in and OpenBook will read it aloud. The dictionary is larger and more customizable, than in older versions and pages can be book marked or embossed from any point in a document. OpenBook also has a screen highlighter or magnifier, as well as the option to choose between reading a whole document or skimming through just the first and last sentences of each paragraph. OpenBook 6.0 comes with versatile keyboard options, For all the details, see the Freedom Scientific Web site (above): Telephone: (800) 444-4443; fax: (727) 803-8001; general information: Info@freedomscientific.com.