RapidReader Assistance for Low Vision

Creating Greater Independence through Reading Technology

If you or a loved one has a problem with declining vision or you simply want to read on-screen without the need for reading glasses RapidReader will help.

It's unique combination of large fonts, the patented Human Cadence text flow, the elimination of eye movement and scrolling makes reading easier, more comfortable and far faster. It's in use everyday at home, schools and in the office to take some of the strain out of reading. It also provides assistance to people with a wide range of significant vision deficits. It's used in hospitals, universities and institutions for rehabilitation and extending the ability to read for those with degenerative eye disease and injury.

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Overview:

SoftOlogy IdeaWorks created the patented RapidReader accelerated reading software building on more than 10 years of research and development.While it is used daily by tens of thousands of people in every walk of life, its display methodology has additional and significant benefits for those with low vision.

In essence RapidReader is designed to allow the power of the computer to make reading on screen more comfortable, easier and far faster. It’s simple to use, non- intrusive and integrates directly into the applications most people use for electronic documents. Its unique patented capability of displaying the flow of text in the rhythms of human speech increases both reading speed and comprehension while providing an experience that’s as easy as watching a movie.

Please see the appendix for information regarding the protocol considerations in the development of RapidReader software: “Why RapidReader Works” ^1a

RapidReader has been selected as an assistive technology by the State of Colorado Vocational Rehabilitation Division, Colorado State University Assistive Tech Lab, University of Tennessee Hospital, Ensight Skills Centers for Low Vision and many other organizations for use in schools, training and workplace.

How RapidReader Works:

The RapidReader text flow places each word on the screen one at a time in the center of the reader’s field of vision. The user chooses a reading speed from 100 to 950 words per minute. The reader can easily go between the “TurboView” and the familiar ParagraphView by simply pressing the spacebar. Navigation includes “back – forward” keystroke commands and a “Pause” function.

This display not only multiplies onscreen reading speed, it inherently adds the benefit of “zoomed” large-font text. The user can select the font size and position under the “Options” item on the menu bar. For those with visual deficits being able to maintain focus on one location can have great advantages for reading.

RapidReader’s Unique Patented Display: Human Cadence™

The heart of RapidReader’s comfort lies in its patented human cadence technology. This key component is the result of nearly three years of trials and continual refinement. The software applies the rhythms of natural human speech to the pacing of the text display. Just as in verbal conversation, the cadence of speech provides important information which significantly aids to comprehension. In everyday use this rhythmic component provides a unique level of ease and readability even at very high reading speeds.

RapidReader and Near Vision

The Greek word for "aging eye," presbyopia is the most prevalent eye condition in America, affecting most people after age 40 and everyone by age 71. Presbyopia causes near vision to fade with age, making it difficult to see things up-close. It's estimated that the majority of Baby Boomers either have presbyopia or will develop the condition in the next 10 years. That means an ever-growing population of people tethered to their reading glasses. In fact millions of "over 40's" have multiple pairs of drugstore "readers" scattered around the house, the car and the office.

If you're in this group is also in one of the fastest growing segments of technology users. You probably increasingly find yourself reaching for your glasses in order to be able to read on the screens of your computer and mobile phone.

RapidReader software on either a computer or smartphone inherently boosts readability. It's sort of like a "large print edition on steroids". With one click in the applications you probably use most you get a large font, lean-back experience like watching a movie. You've also eliminated "squinting and scrolling" your way through the text. In fact you may very well find you don't even need your reading glasses .

SoftOlogy and Rehabilitation: Incorporating RapidReader to increase independence for those with low vision

RapidReader is easy to use, integrates with the software most widely used for accessing electronic text and delivers that content to the reader in a manner that provides immediate benefit for those with low vision.

Organizations providing services and programs are now incorporating RapidReader into their assistive technology training and tools. As an example Ensight Skills Centers of Colorado uses RapidReader both for their staff and as a component of training and technology for their rehabilitation clients.

Ensight provides services to clients of all ages with many different types of visual challenges. These include macular degeneration, Stargardt’s, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, neurological disorders and eye injury.

"Ensight is always seeking out new technologies to help level the playing field for our clients," said Denny Bettenhausen founder and Executive Director of Ensight Skills Centers "One important area in helping them to regain their independence lies in their ability to read. It's in this context that the collaborative effort with SoftOlogy IdeaWorks evolved.”

Integration of RapidReader into “Steady-Eye” Techniques for Eccentric Viewing

Background

In many cases of visual impairment there is still significant vision but it is limited to a particular viewing angle. A reading technique developed to assist individuals with these types of deficits is called “Steady-Eye” or eccentric viewing. It is often taught as a first step in helping clients to maximize the effectiveness of their remaining vision when reading. Steady-eye teaches the reader to physically position reading materials in an area where they have some residual vision. They then manually move the book or newspaper past their steady-eye focal point to read a line of text.

Using RapidReader to Assist “Steady-Eye” Viewing

RapidReader uses the computer to place the each word of the text in a consistent place on the computer screen. Consequently once a reader determines the best angle for viewing the screen they can sit back and let the software do the work of placing the text in the correct focal spot for optimum reading.

In other words, if it can be read on a computer screen then RapidReader with just a few moments of training can facilitate the steady-eye technique automatically.This eliminates the manual effort required for viewing hard copy materials.

RapidReader and Nystagmus:

For those with neuromuscular based visual deficits as Nystagmus and Strabismus where accurate tracking across a page is a challenge, RapidReader provides compensatory effect by largely eliminating the need for saccadic movement. RapidReader’s presentation of each word in the same location brings the text to the focal area rather than the need for the reader to move their eyes to acquire each word. This is particularly valuable in cases of early onset strabismus during the period when a child is acquiring reading skills.

Reading Ability and Perceived of Quality of Life

For most of us the ability to read is a key component to our quality of life. Consequently, for those with visual deficits providing training to create a stable reading platform is a vital piece of rehabilitation. ² The importance of reading to self-reliance and confidence involves much more than simply acquiring information. It is also is a means of fending off isolation by staying connected and engaged with the world. When isolation and depression become chronic factors then general health and well being are at risk.

Ready Access to Reading Material

Given the enormous wealth of on-line news, e-books, health information and other knowledge resources much of our everyday reading can be accomplished on a computer. RapidReader software can read most formats and provides the comfort and efficiency that broadens the reading possibilities for those with impaired sight. It’s a new kind of “on-ramp” to the information highway expanding practical access to a world of content with one mouse click.

For information about the RapidReader Free Library please see the appendix.^2a

Reading Speed and Magnification

RapidReader offers a user selectable font and font size in the “TurboView”, ParagraphView and User Notes. It the TurboView display mode RapidReader can take advantage of the entire screen to display a single word. In trials this capability reduced the need for additional magnification for many with a variety of low vision conditions from relatively mild presbyopia to severe visual deficits.

Reading speed among Low Vision readers is limited by their handicap to typically less than 100 words per minute and sometimes to as low as 10-20 words per minute.³ In a study conducted by University of Minnesota Laboratory for Vision Research magnifiers increased reading speed among low vision subjects. However this improvement was inversely related to the amount of magnification required and the window size available.

In other words, when using magnification a direct relationship exists between the percentage of magnification and the number of characters that can fit in a window for viewing. This in turn implies considerable non-reading time spent navigating to bring the text into view which lowers reading speed.⁴ This issue is the same whether using CCTV, platform or software magnification. The process of tracing and retracing to find the next word in a sequence can slow reading speeds dramatically. Further the precision necessary in manipulating the magnifier requires significant fine motor control which may add to the challenges for those with neuromuscular deficits.

In addition to the practical impact of comparatively low reading speed on productivity, there are cognitive issues at play as well. At very low reading speeds over time comprehension of the content may decrease. This can simply be due to the length of time it takes to get from the beginning of a paragraph to the end and fatigue. The result is often the need to re-read to put the continuity of the ideas together. RapidReader in TurboView inherently magnifies text at user controlled sizes up to 172 points…
text

and displays it without the need for navigation. RapidReader is an enabling technology where magnification doesn’t interfere with reading speed.

However, RapidReader’s core function is to multiply reading speed in general. That’s something a magnifier cannot do. Simply put, if the user is able to read the font size RapidReader presents, they can take full advantage of the accelerated reading speed offered to any reader. In the context of the computer, many people can use magnifying software for navigating to a file then use RapidReader to actually read it. This provides a powerfully efficient combination.

"When using a magnifier I have to navigate across each page and often have to take the time to re-read a word or sentence that I missed," says Denny Bettenhausen. "With the RapidReader software I'm able to sit comfortably in front of my computer and I can read and fully comprehend the material in less than half the time with far less effort."

RapidReader in the Work Place:

In any occupation where extensive reading is required RapidReader is a powerful compensatory tool for maintaining professional productivity. RapidReader can be combined with other tools such as ZoomText to facilitate both navigation to a file and then with one click the accelerated reading of the content.

As noted, RapidReader integrates directly into the software applications and file types most used for electronic information. One click will convert Microsoft Word docs, web pages, text and rtf files for reading in RapidReader. RapidReader PRO for Windows has additional features that support batch opening and RapidReading of entire folders of email and attachments. Perhaps the most popular time-saving feature for students and professionals is being able to RapidReader PDF files.

RapidReader includes features for imbedding Notes, Highliting text and book marking entries. It is ideal for proofreading, editing and collaborating.

RapidReader and School

In the classroom RapidReader can provide a non-intrusive compensatory tool for a range of visual deficits to aid the progress of students. With RapidReader reading assignments can be accessible to a child with special needs in a manner that “levels the playing field” with classmates. Because computer use in classrooms is becoming normative the social aspects for a child requiring special considerations are mitigated. RapidReader when it’s also available in the home provides a vehicle of continuity for both compensation and remediation.

Conclusion:

RapidReader is an inexpensive yet powerful technology with a value that is proven daily by thousands of customers world wide.

For the growing population of those with vision problems it is an easy to use technological analog to the proven techniques for rehabilitation and compensation currently in use. The software integrates easily into any computer environment and is unobtrusive while in use. In short RapidReader requires very little training and few resources to deliver enhanced reading independence and improvement in the quality of life for the client.

For more information about RapidReader please click here:

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Appendix:

Quick Facts About RapidReader

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^1aWhy RapidReader Works: The Development of Technology to Accelerate Reading Speed on a Computer

RapidReader was built upon more than 10 years of research at institutions like Johns Hopkins University, Xerox Park, University of Southern California and SoftOlogy IdeaWorks. This research focused on using technology to break down the barriers to reading speed. The general findings were that in the two things that limited reading speed; the mechanics of moving our eyes across a page as we look for the next word and sub-vocalization (“sounding out”) an artifact from early childhood learning. At SoftOlogy IdeaWorks this resulted in the development of software for an optimized computer display to address these issues.

RapidReader converts onscreen text into a comfortable “lean-back” viewing experience. It automatically brings the words into view without the need for eye movement across a page or scrolling (another factor slowing reading speed on a computer).

A reduction in sub-vocalization occurs as the reading speed exceeds a comfortable speaking rate. In brain scans conducted as part of research at Hopkins the recognition of the word when presented as a discrete, individual symbol bypasses the Broca and Wernicke language centers of the brain and are processed directly in the visual cortex. In other words the brain at high reading speeds treats the word as a recognizable symbol that has a particular meaning. As a result of the change in the display modality this is accomplished naturally with the same speed and cognitive value as when we recognize a road sign.Because we are no longer referencing a stored sound for meaning the tendency to sub-vocalize is greatly diminished.

^2a The RapidReader Free Library:

SoftOlogy IdeaWorks created the RapidReader Free Library to provide a central repository for links and materials for use with RapidReader. The Library contains a compendium of links to news, magazines and academic and professional journals.The majority of the material contained can be read in RapidReader either through the web browser or as a document downloadable in PDF or MS. Word.

The Library also includes a growing collection of RapidReader Editions which are e-books formatted and optimized for reading with RapidReader. Currently the collection includes more than 300 classic and contemporary books. Many of these books are frequently assigned in college and high school as required reading assignments. RapidReader Editions are available for PC, Mac and Mobile platforms and are free to download and distribute.

To Visit the RapidReader FREE Library

http://www.rapidreader.com/rr_lib_idx.html

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References

² Charlotte A. Hazel, Keziah Latham Petre, Richard A. Armstrong, Mark T. Benson,and N. Andrew Frost (2000). Visual Function and Subjective Quality of Life Compared in Subjects with Acquired Macular Disease. IOVS, May 2000, Vol. 41, No. 6

³Legge, G.E., Ross, J.A., Maxwell, K.T., & Luebker, A. (1989). Psychophysics of Reading. VII. Comprehension in Normal And Low Vision. Clinical Vision Sciences, 4, 51-60.

⁴ Beckmann, P.J. & Legge, G.E. (1996). Psychophysics of Reading. XIV. The Page-Navigation Problem in Using Magnifiers. Vision Research, 36, 3723-3733.