Open LORE, an emerging pioneer in assistive reading software, launches a new reading experience: Open LORE Read.
This e-reader utilizes Acapela text-to-speech, synchronized word and sentence tracking, and a host of customizable features designed to make books and other publications more accessible to all users, but especially those challenged by the reading process.
A large percentage of the United States population (up to 10% for dyslexia alone) has cognitive conditions that hinder processing text and reaching one’s full potential in school and the workplace. For example, dyslexia affects how the brain processes letters and other symbols. Scotopic sensitivity syndrome hinders reading standard black text on white pages. These reading challenges are not disorders, but the collision of a complex learned skill with opposing physical, cognitive, and emotional attributes found across society. For affected individuals, reading requires extra time and energy, causing fatigue and discouragement.
‘Reading a book should be fun, engaging, and accessible for everyone’
– Glen Wagner, CEO of Open LORE.
Approach
Open LORE Read addresses these challenges by reinventing an established teaching technique known as the Neurological Impress Method (NIM). While NIM requires a teacher to provide the speech and visual tracking by hand, Open LORE Read fills this role so readers can receive assistance wherever they are. At the heart of Open LORE Read is the world’s best TTS technology provided by Acapela Group. Readers select from three different voices of near-human quality with highly advanced word and punctuation pronunciations.
Audio is synchronized with visual tracking of the sentences and words, and has easily adjustable volume, speed, and voice pitch.
The User Experience
Open LORE Read offers an intuitive user interface in which readers can easily play, pause, and flip between book pages using forward and backward controls. They can also utilize table of contents, bookmark, and search methods of text navigation. The icon-driven interface and incorporation of TTS in menu and playback options reduce the reliance on text-based menus. All text throughout the software is displayed in Lexia Readable, a font specially designed to address readability. Readers can easily adjust highlight colors, page colors, font shades, and text size to suit their individual needs.
Users also manage their own personal e-book library, where they can add ePUB and DAISY standard e-books, choose favorites, and sort books into custom collections. The library interface provides a preview and TTS book description that incorporates each user’s custom playback settings.
Open LORE’s exclusive Image Synch™ technology presents book illustrations and figures in “slide show fashion” alongside the text, seamlessly synchronized with playback. This allows for optimal readability, as in-text imagery can interrupt the flow of word tracking while reading. Users can also choose to browse each book’s image gallery or hide images during text playback.
Dictionary
To assist reading comprehension, Open LORE Read utilizes Merriam-Webster’s Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary, designed to support language comprehension and English as a Second Language development.
Dictionary information is presented in an interactive dialogue in which readers can search the dictionary, read definitions using TTS with text tracking, and hear words spelled out loud. For further word study, readers can access a link to Merriam-Webster’s online version of the Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary (LearnersDictionary.com). Open LORE also supplements the dictionary feature with many nineteenth century words and spelling variations to improve comprehension of classic literature.
Compatible Systems
Open LORE Read runs on PCs with Windows XP SP3, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Open LORE Read’s user interface is easy to use on traditional laptops and PCs as well as on Windows touchscreen devices and tablets.
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About Open LORE LLC
Open LORE LLC is a privately held assistive reading technology company based in Beaverton, Oregon. With cutting-edge software and a wide range of available e-books, Open LORE equips those challenged by reading with the materials they need to enhance their lives and unleash their creative potential. Additional information about Open LORE’s products, classic books, book distributors, and the Reading and Learning Disability community can be found at http://www.open-lore.com.
