Geriatric Independent Reading Device

We will develop and test an innovative computer Assisted reading device for improving the ability ovisually impaired users to complete independent living tasks. The unique optical character recognitidevice requires only one hand for operation and can read food and pharmacological packaging includinThe user will acquire functional capability after only a few minutes of training. Since the incidenclow prior to age 75, many visually impaired elderly persons are otherwise able to take care of themsneeds assessment, older blind and visually impaired persons sought assistance with reading mail, utiBible; finding a phone number; reading cooking instructions on packages; reading labels on cans; andcontainers. The ability to perform such activities often determines whether individuals can live indinstitutional care with the resulting increase in healthcare costs. The prototype will be tested usiindividuals age 55 and above to determine its applicability to the tasks of independent living.