Low Vision Reading and Comprehension: myReader Case Studies

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Low Vision Reading and Comprehension myReader
Case Studies

• HumanWare
• Americas, Australasia, EMEA

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Presentation Overview

• Limitations of CCTVs
• Demonstration
• myReaders Solution
• Demonstration
• Case Studies Testimonials
• Europe
• USA
• Australia
• New Features
• Demonstration
• Summary and Q A

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Limitations of Video Magnifiers (CCTVs)

• Limited use for extended reading
• Cant see whole page for overview before reading
  detail
• Must be able to move the Document Tray (X/Y
  table)
• Movement may cause dizziness, nausea
• Difficult to track a line to read back and forth
• Can lose your place, skip or reread lines
• Often miss the beginning or end of a reading line
• Fatigue limits reading time, comfort and
  comprehension
• Challenging for Central Vision Loss or Tunnel
  Vision
• Same Technology for 30 years - Magnifies

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Limitations of Video Magnifiers (CCTVs)

• Demonstration using HumanWares SmartView Xtend

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myReaders Solution for Reading

• New Technology designed for Reading
• Captures documents and reformats text
• User selects best Reading View between
• Column View (like a Teleprompter)
• Row View (like a Ticker Tape)
• Word View (like Flash Cards)
• Text adapts and wraps to fit screen size
• No X/Y tray to shuffle automatic scroll
• User selects View, Size, Colors, Speed

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myReaders Solution for Reading

• With myReader, it is possible to
• Read Faster
• Read Longer
• Read with Less Fatigue and Nausea
• Read and Comprehend more

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myReaders Solution for Reading

• myReader better assist readers with
• Central Vision Loss
• Age Related Macular Degeneration
• Stargardts Disease
• Row View maximizes Eccentric Viewing capabilities
• Tunnel Vision
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Other visual field limiting conditions
• Control Panel allows user to step back and
  control text
• Focus on one spot in Row View, where all text
  starts

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myReaders Solution for Reading

• Demonstration of the myReaders features

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Global Case Studies
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Global Case Studies

• Europe
• Visio Het Loo Erf Centre,
• Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
• Rehabilitation Centre testing in a controlled
  environment
• Mr. H. (41) experienced CCTV user
• Ms. D. is a school teacher
• Ms. S. (60) has read using various CCTVs

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Global Case Studies - Europe

• Mr. H. (41) experienced CCTV user
• Read prepared text on conventional CCTV in a
  controlled reading test environment
• Reading speed measured at 40 words per minute
• Could only read for 9 minutes due to fatigue
• Couldnt answer any reading comprehension
  questions correctly about just read prepared text
  
• Read another prepared passage using the myReader
• Reading speed at 50/wpm 25 improvement
• Read for full 10 minute period
• Answered all reading comprehension questions
  correctly

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Global Case Studies - Europe

• Ms. D., a school teacher
• Uses range of devices for reading work
• Depending on text size, needs 3X 5X
  magnification
• Can only read for 2 minutes maximum until
• Begins tearing and getting severe headaches
• Using the myReader in Column Mode
• Could read for 10 minutes continuously
• By varying documents and pictures..
• Ms. D. was able to use the myReader for 2 hours
  comfortably without eye strain or headaches
• Improved comprehension

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Global Case Studies - Europe

• Ms. S. (60) has read using various CCTVs
• Reads at 20/wpm speed on conventional CCTV
• Can only read for about 2 minutes maximum until
• Bothered by flashing lights in her vision and
• Dizziness from motion of the reading material
• Using the myReader in Column Mode
• Could read for 10 minutes continuously
• At a reading speed of 50/wpm
• Without adverse or lingering side effects with
  CCTV
• With less distractions, comprehension improved

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Global Case Studies - Europe
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Global Case Studies

• United States
• Center for the Partially Sighted,
• Los Angeles, California
• Diagnosis/Observations by Licensed Medical Staff
• Mr. W.M. (56) suffered stroke causing loss of
  peripheral vision
• Ms. B.A. (85) suffered Wet form of Age-Related
  Macular Degeneration

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Global Case Studies United States

• Mr. W.M. (56) stroke loss of peripheral vision
• Loss peripheral vision on right side of both eyes
• Although 20/20, couldnt see words on right
• Prevented tracking left to right to read
• Prism lenses tried, but could not improve
  tracking
• Using the myReader in Row Mode (ticker tape)
• Could read at pre-stroke reading rates
• myReader recognized by Low Vision Optometrist
  specialists to assist in patients with
• Reduced sight
• Neurophthalmological disorders such as
• Field Loss and Oculomotor Dysfunction

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Global Case Studies United States

• Ms. B.A (85) Wet Macular Degeneration
• Visual Acuity reduced to 20/200 in each eye
• Could no longer read newspapers and books
• Hand magnifiers/high powered glasses shown but
  could not tolerate close working distance
  required
• Couldnt control X/Y table on conventional CCTV
• Using the myReader in Row Mode (ticker tape)
• Could read fluently again
• myReader helps patients unable to use X/Y tray
  due to
• Multiple disabilities,
• Frailty or weakness, or
• Nerve/muscle coordination conditions

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Global Testimonials
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Global Testimonial United States (Kansas)

• Mr. C.C. (94) disabled Veteran with AMD
• No vision in left eye, right eye with AMD
• Had 6 months of Low Vision evaluations and
  training from Veterans Affairs
• Could barely read or live independently
• Afterwards, received myReader from the VA
• Lives independently
• Reads mail, cans and cartons, grandkids photos
• Knows how to use all features of the myReader
• Greatest visual aid I have ever found, and Ive
  checked every Low Vision Clinic in the area!
• I couldnt get along with out it!

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Global Testimonial Australia (Melbourne)

• Female (94) suffering from AMD
• Former avid book reader with arthritis and
  diabetes
• Could not read anymore, her favorite past time
• In nursing home, withdrawing from family, friends
• Falling into deep depression
• Got myReader with 1 week trial
• Received Two, 1 hour training sessions
• After 1 month, was reading 5 hours per day,
  everyday!
• Often found at 11 pm reading
• Overall health and emotional state improved
• Family members deeply moved and grateful

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Global Testimonial Europe (Maastricht)

• Mr. G.H.G. (56), teacher, suffering from AMD
• Economics/Geography Teacher diagnosed with AMD
• Reading and correcting coursework were difficult
• At risk of losing his teaching job
• Vision was less than 25
• Started using the myReader
• Has continued working 100 as a teacher
• Likes flexibility of features on the myReader
• Picks up fine nuances of colors for maps
• Can rotate images from portrait to landscape
• Transportable for meetings and changing rooms
• Saved his Career as a teacher!

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myReaders Solution for Reading

• Demonstration of myReader2 NEW features

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Presentation Summary

• myReader clearly offers new technology over the
  limitations of CCTVs during the past 30 years
• myReaders Solution is designed to help Users
• Read better with Low Vision
• Read for longer periods
• Read with less effort
• Read with greater comprehension
• Case Studies Testimonials
• Gave real world Users examples of myReaders
  capabilities and how it changed their quality of
  life
• Q A

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THANK YOU!