Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Wondering if Orcam product might be a good option for my Dad. (self.Blind)
submitted by prairiesailor
My elderly dad has lost most of his vision due to glaucoma. He still lives on his own, but struggles to read recipes and even items at the grocery store.
He has the Blindshell phone and tried the Google app, sorry I can't remember the name, that reads what the camera sees. It is somewhat helpful, but it's also frustrating. It just goes by nuts reading everything it sees, when sometimes all he wants is a sentence. Or a recipe that is 2 column, doesn't read well.
He thinks something he can drag over a sentence and could read a word at a time might be better. So he could go back and re-read it a couple times to make sure he got it right. I looked and think Orcam has something like this. Wondering if anyone has experience like this.
He has the Blindshell phone and tried the Google app, sorry I can't remember the name, that reads what the camera sees. It is somewhat helpful, but it's also frustrating. It just goes by nuts reading everything it sees, when sometimes all he wants is a sentence. Or a recipe that is 2 column, doesn't read well.
He thinks something he can drag over a sentence and could read a word at a time might be better. So he could go back and re-read it a couple times to make sure he got it right. I looked and think Orcam has something like this. Wondering if anyone has experience like this.
GreatSunJester 3 points 1y ago
The Orcam is going to have some of the same issues as a smart phone app in that the user needs to ensure the text is in view (and worse, that there is nothing else with text also in view!).
I have tried a demo Orcam out with a couple fully blind users. One could not get a feel for aligning the camera to the text while the other did much better and was able to use it. The second user also uses SeeingAI well, so has a better over "feel" for the concept.
The newest update for an Orcam enables voice controls, which is something that may make a big difference. You say "Hey Orcam, Smart Reading" and the device will take the picture and stand by for commands. You can say "Next", "Next", Previous" for some basic line-by-line reading.
I'll never discount the Orcam as an option, but if you can, get a demonstration for your father from a vendor.
I have tried a demo Orcam out with a couple fully blind users. One could not get a feel for aligning the camera to the text while the other did much better and was able to use it. The second user also uses SeeingAI well, so has a better over "feel" for the concept.
The newest update for an Orcam enables voice controls, which is something that may make a big difference. You say "Hey Orcam, Smart Reading" and the device will take the picture and stand by for commands. You can say "Next", "Next", Previous" for some basic line-by-line reading.
I'll never discount the Orcam as an option, but if you can, get a demonstration for your father from a vendor.
prairiesailor [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I appreciate your comments. We're going to try arranging a demo.
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
There’s much better apps and mainstream devices you could use. The orcam is a bit overpriced and doesn’t work if the vision isn’t good enough or if you’re totally blind.
AutomaticChair9 2 points 1y ago
If he is just looking for help with reading text you could try a $1. These are what you can drag over a page and have the text read out loud to you. If you have $1 (link goes to video), you can take a picture of something (like a recipe) and then pull the text from that image. That method would allow you to save the information if you wanted to be able to go back to it and works in a web browser (it looks like the Blindshell has a web browser but Google Keep is not one of the listed apps). The Blindshell DOES have Be My Eyes listed as an app. If you have not explored that it could also be very helpful in locations like the grocery store.
r_1235 2 points 1y ago
Wow, Google Keep has an OCR? I've been just sharing images clicked from my camera app in the galory app to Google LookOut app. And, no, I couldn't click the pictures in lookout at first place, since I wanted those notes or whatever for later reference.
r_1235 2 points 1y ago
The Youtube Channel, Blind Life, reviewed this pen shaped device, which would read everything that you point it at. I don't remember it's name, and I am just too laisy to search and get you link right now. Sorry. But, I am sure, if you search, you will find it.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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bradley22 2 points 1y ago
I’ve not used orcam in years but I don’t think they do. If you can, I’d recommend you both go and check it out.
In my opinion, it’s way overpriced but perhaps you can pay monthly for it.
In my opinion, it’s way overpriced but perhaps you can pay monthly for it.
B_Bussen 3 points 1y ago
I have one, but am totally bli nd,so can't use some of its features. It talks about pointing at something you want it to read, but I have no way to try that. It is a cool device, but way over priced.
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
I find that it works better when you have vision so I agree I was with a visually impaired person who could see a good bit and it worked so much better for him. The trick was to point to the paper it was on some glasses mounted to my head and it never worked for me. If you have little or no vision it’s not going to work all that well.
So basically agree.
So basically agree.
prairiesailor [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thanks for your feedback.
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
Not a problem.
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
Exactly.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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