2 years ago
Bethesda, Md (WUSA)--- For Jane Sheehan of Silver Spring, the loss of vision means constantly finding new ways to remain independent and in step with the rest of the world.
"It's important to do what you can to regain your indpendence or gain it. Learning how to cook or use public transportation, travel independently and getting computer skills," explains Jane.
A new program created by CEO Brian Lichorowic called Audiopoint is one of those independence building tools.
Brian says, "People who have lost their sight it allows them to keep working."
Audiopoint works through the use of a phone operated voice system. Dial in and it puts web programs at the users fingertips.
Brian explains, " You get a natural voice, natural language and anything you can do on the keyboard you can now do with the voice."
The voice to text technology works with every email address. Brian says, "...it can work with a google calendar and it works with industry standards."
Other methods of communication, like Braile are available for the blind. But did you know only a small perecentage of the visually impaired actually read Braile. Audiopoint uses text to speech technology and opens a world of two way internet communication, like instant messaging or a simple email chain possible.
"You can reply to people, you can compose messages to people, you're never out of touch," explains Jane.
And for Jane, she's able to stay connected and explore a new world of information. She says, " Anything that you can do to regain your indpendence because you feel better about yourself when you're independent."
Cost associated with Audiopoint range from a monthly fee of $4.95 to annual plans that average from $300 to $500.
Audiopoint currently is providing its service to all visually impaired US veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To find out more information:
Audiopoint
