An app to help the visually impaired read
A smartphone application called “Accessible Doc Reader” -- to assist visually impaired people to read document files on mobile phone -- was launched yesterday.
Innovation Garage Limited, a local tech-based company, developed the application with assistance from VIEW Foundation, a non-government organisation, and jointly arranged the launching programme at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
The Doc Reader application can be downloaded from Google Play Store free of cost. A visually impaired person can use this app to go over document files written in Unicode fonts, said its developers. The app reads out text to the user.
The tech company claimed such application was developed for the first time in the country.
Innovation Garage Limited's Managing Director Ashiqur Rahman Amit said they will make the app's source code open to all within a few days, so that anyone can contribute to its improvement.
“We work to invent technology for visually impaired people, to ensure their accessibility to the modern amenities. As part of our endeavour, we developed the Doc Reader,” Ashiqur said at the programme.
He also said they will unveil a pdf reader for the visually impaired on Pahela Baishakh, on the occasion of Bangla New Year.
Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration ceremony, Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said the app will be of much help to the visually impaired, especially students.
He also assured of DU's assistance in promoting the use of the app among visually impaired students.
Several visually impaired college and university students, including from Dhaka University, tried out the app at the programme.
The app can be downloaded from: https://play.google.com/ store/apps/details?id=com.innovationgarage.accessibledocreader
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