SuperNova Screen Reader Case Study: Maurice benefits from a talking PDA with Pocket Hal.

My computer in my pocket - perfect.

As a blind computer user Maurice Press has always believed that he, and other blind and low vision computer users, should have exactly the same level of access to technology as that expected by sighted people. Now, for the very first time, Maurice has been able to enjoy the benefits of a PDA thanks to Pocket Hal, an innovative screen reader from Dolphin Computer Access. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are small handheld computers, pocket PCs, generally operated using a small touch screen.

They are now becoming the preferred IT solution in schools, universities and the workplace, due to their size and portability and low cost of ownership. However, up until now blind and low vision computer users have been unable to use this technology, as there has been no reliable mechanism for making them talk. Until now it has been costly for companies to comply with Disability Discrimination legislation, having to purchase non-standard, dedicated devices for their visually impaired staff. That is about to change!

Imagine an environment where blind and low vision computer users can share the same mainstream technology as their sighted colleagues, using the exactly the same equipment, at the same cost and being able to easily transfer common files between all devices. This vision is real and is available today! Maurice Press has been blind since birth and has used a range of different assistive technology to help him succeed at school and at work. An experienced computer user, Maurice joined the Disability Resource Team in 1992, providing a full range of transcription services across the UK, as well as providing business training on the Disability Discrimination Act and Equality legislation.

The Disability Resource Team also provides end user training programmes for visually impaired computer users across a range of assistive technology products. In 2003 Maurice became the owner of the company has been running the company successfully for the past 3 years, as well as his responsibilities as a Director of Business Network International and the President of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. So it is true to say that Maurice knows a thing or two about the range of access solutions available for blind and low vision computer users! Until recently Maurice had never been able to use a standard PDA and relied entirely on his desktop PC and Laptop, along with his portable Braille note-taker. As you can imagine, it was vitally important that Maurice had the best possible screen reader solution to enable him to run his business successfully. Having considered a range of screen readers for his desktop PC and laptop, Maurice found that the Hal screen reader from Dolphin offered the most stable and reliable access across a wider range of applications than any other product available.

So, armed with his laptop and Hal screen reader software, Maurice was able to enjoy access to his computer whilst on the move, however, it still did not offer a truly portable and mobile solution that would fit in Maurice's pocket. Having wanted to experience the benefits of a PDA for some time, Maurice was excited to hear that Dolphin had developed a full screen reader that would work with a standard, mass market PDA. Now he could go to his local computer store and buy the mainstream PDA of his choice, at mainstream prices, along with a bluetooth keyboard and headset and enjoy exactly the same technology as his sighted colleagues. Maurice approached Dolphin and discussed his requirements and together they agreed the best package that would suit Maurice, which included a Fujitsu Loox PDA, a HP foldable keyboard and Pocket Hal.

Maurice comments; "I have always been delighted with all of the Dolphin products I have used and was really pleased when I heard that they had developed a screen reader for standard PDAs. For the first time ever I have been able to use a PDA just like anyone else. Using Pocket Hal on my PDA could not be easier, I can either use the PDA buttons or the bluetooth keyboard to access my calendar, contacts, tasks, Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. I have even used Skype for making telephone calls on my PDA! I have exactly the same levels of access to all of the standard PDA applications as anyone else and I can easily synchronise my PDA to my desktop PC for transferring data. I can now enjoy a pocket sized communications network, whenever and wherever I am. I no longer have to carry a laptop and large bag around with me, now I carry my computer in my pocket - perfect. Thank you Dolphin!"

Maurice Press is not the exception, many blind and low vision computer users are now able to enjoy new levels of mobility and independence through accessible PDA technology. Now visually impaired computer users are able to choose from a complete range PDA devices from local stores at mainstream prices and use Pocket Hal to make them talk.

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