Revolutionary mobile technology helps blind people read

Sales are escalating for a revolutionary mobile technology that allows blind people to read without help.

The new device, the KNFB Reader, is a cellphone which takes a snapshot of any document and turns it into speech.

Bart Cuvuyk, from distributor Pacific Vision, says it finally allows the blind to read independently, without asking for assistance.

Cuvuyk, who has worked in the industry for 24 years, says the mobile device is revolutionary for the blind.

“This is life changing for blind people. They can read things like bank account statements – this hasn’t been possible before,” he says.

“Even in Australia the foundation for the blind there is giving every staff member one. It is something that is so incredibly handy.”

The software featured on CNN’s programme The Next Big Thing and Pacific Vision says its sales have grown exponentially.

“To be able to access the internet and to email when you want is great,” says Cuvuyk.

For David Harvey screen reader devices like the KFNB Reader really help in day-to-day life.

“It has helped me so much to get on the internet and use the computer in general.”

Harvey had vision only in his left eye until 1990, when he became fully blind.

He says there was a debate as to whether the blind would be “locked out” of society back when Windows 2000 came out.

However, quite the opposite has happened, he says.

“We are proving all the time that we are following trends.”

“I use Facebook and I used to use Bebo. I really think the technology has opened up access to information,” says Harvey.

According to Cuvuyk around 85 per cent of the visually impaired sit at home alone and listen to the radio.

“It is really hard to get to those individuals and to let them know that there is equipment out there which can help them read.”

“We have a strong group of people who have jobs now because of the device,” says Cuvuyk.

“One of our clients is a lawyer and he gets his Reader out in court, and reads things on the spot. In the old days you couldn’t do that.”

The only downside to the equipment is the cost involved, says Harvey.

The KNFB Reader costs around $4000.