Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Scanning allows for printed text to be converted into multiple accessible formats like speech, large print, sound or text files, etc.

OCR is evolving. It is available on more devices and with more accurate and quicker results. While on-demand OCR from phones and tablets is functional in certain situations, having access to a scanner to increase accuracy and efficiency can speed up the acquisition of printed content for a student.

Determining the appropriate scanner for OCR should consider the student's primary devices. If a student is primarily using a computer, the scanner connecting directly to the computer and supported by OCR software would be best. If the student is being introduced to computers but is primarily using a tablet or phone technology, then initially, an OCR app with a stand would be efficient. Some students are not utilizing advanced tools and need access to a printed paper. Thus, a stand-alone system is a good option.

In regards to purchasing, any scanner that works with Microsoft Windows should be compatible with accessible Optical Character Recognition software (OCR) or over-the-counter OCR software used by members of an educational team.

Features to consider when looking for a scanner should include whether you are looking for a single sheet scanner, a duplex scanner, a camera scanner, or a more portable sheet-fed scanner. It is also important to determine if the scanner needs a power source or is powered by USB.

Camera scanners allow for faster OCR as well as motion sensing to recognize page flipping. Newer flatbed scanners reduce scan time by eliminating warm-up time.

Single Sheet Flat-Bed Scanner

Any flatbed or single sheet scanner should work with computer software.

CanoScan LiDE 300 or 400

Price: $69.99 - CanoScan LIDE 300 | $89.99 - CanoScan LIDE 400
Manufacturer: Canon
Product Page: Canon Photo Scanners
Features:

• CanoScan LiDE 300
  • Resolution: 2400 x 2400 dpi
  • 10 second scanning
  • Windows, Mac or Linux or Mac
  • USB Powered
• CanoScan LiDE 400
  
  • Resolution 4800 x 4800 dpi
  • 8 second scanning
  • Windows, Mac or Linux
  • USB Powered

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Duplex or Sheet-Fed Scanner

Any duplex or sheet-fed scanner should work with computer software.

Epson Workforce DS-Series

Price: $119+
Manufacturer: Epson
Product Page: Epson Document Scanners
Features:

• Resolution: 300 dpi to 600 dpi
• Windows or Mac
• Wi-Fi Direct capability (app accessibility has not been checked)
• Powered

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Camera Scanners (for Optical Character Recognition)

Pearl

Price: $325.50
Manufacturer: Freedom Scientific
Product Page: PEARL Portable Reading Camera
Features:

• Requires OpenBook software
• Windows
• USB Powered

HoverCam Solo 8Plus 4K Document Camera

Price: $369 + $10 Shipping
Manufacturer: Pathway Innovations and Technologies, Inc.
Product Page: HoverCam Solo 8Plus
Features:

• Picture-in-Picture Lesson Recording with Annotations
• Built-in whiteboard application
• Windows and Apple
• USB Powered through computer
• 4k at 30 frames per second video resolution

HoverCam Ultra 10

Price: $799
Manufacturer: Pathway Innovations and Technologies, Inc.
Product Page: HoverCam Ultra 10
Features:

• Built-in Android tablet - no computer required
• Battery-powered
• WiFi & Bluetooth Connectivity
• Wired & Wireless HDMI capability
  

Note: Product is being phased out April 2023

Sceye

Price: $1,137.92 to $2,764.80
Manufacturer: Sceye
Product Page: Sceye
Features:

• Windows and Apple
• USB Powered

Readit Scholar HD

Price: $2,995
Manufacturer: VisionAid International
Product Page: VisionAid International: Readit Scholar HD
Features:

• Capture an entire 11x17 page at once
• The 3-in-1 camera provides close, distance and self-view
• Fold-flat design for maximum portability

Readit Air

Price: $369 + $10 Shipping
Manufacturer: VisionAid International
Product Page: Readit Air
Features:

• Capture & read back documents
• Scan documents up to 20 pages per minute
• Live View for distance viewing
• Portable - Folds down and weighs 1.1 lbs.

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Stand-Alone Optical Character Recognition Scanners

For users that are not familiar with computers or are unable to navigate a computer. Cover plates are available for many models to simplify the number of buttons presented.

MagniLink Voice 2

Price: $2,195
Manufacturer: Low Vision International
Product Page: MagniLink Voice 2
Features:

• Scans printed text and read using a speech synthesizer
• Battery-powered
• Options include 5-hours battery and monitor output

OrCam Read

Price: $1,990
Manufacturer: OrCam
Product Page: OrCam Read
Features:

• Provides instant audio playback to people who have mild to moderate low vision, reading difficulties, or those who read large amounts of text
• Only available in English currently
• 13-MP camera
• Internet connection not required
• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Read up to 300 words per minute
• Full-page capture

Smart Reader HD

Price: $2,260
Manufacturer: Enhanced Vision
Product Page: Smart Reader HD
Features:

• Converts print to speech
• Connect to monitor to convert to digital text
• Ideal for reading magazines, books, newspapers, etc.
• Easy image scan, save, and recall

i-Reader 2

Price: $1,999
Manufacturer: Irie AT
Product Page: i-Reader 2
Features:

• Connect to a monitor to see words highlighted during reading
• Scan and read in multiple languages

ReadEasy Evolve

Price: $2,495 + $395 Feature Pack
Manufacturer: Irie AT
Product Page: ReadEasy Evolve
Features:

• 1 button press for quick and accurate reading of the text
• Lightweight and compact for great portability
• Feature pack allows continuous reading for books and longer documents, including the automatic splitting of book pages and finer navigation control

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Stand-Alone Optical Character Recognition Scanners with Low Vision Support

OmniReader

Price:$2,756.25
Manufacturer: Freedom Scientific
Product Page:OmniReader
Features:

• OCR for printed texts built-inn screen provides high contrast text
• Highlighted word for read-along
• Live mode available
• Save feature

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Optical Character Recognition Applications for Smartphones

Seeing AI

Price: Free
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Product Page: Seeing AI
Features:

• Utilizes camera and artificial intelligence to provide access to text, handwriting, barcodes, faces, currency, as well as scenes, color, and light.

VoiceDream Scanner

Price: $9.99
Manufacturer: VoiceDream LLC
Product Page: VoiceDream Scanner
Features:

• Built-in text to speech
• No network or subscription required
• A.I. text recognition

Prizmo 5 pro Scanner

Price: $23
Manufacturer: Creaceed
Product Page: Prizmo 5 pro Scanner
Features:

• Take pictures of text with auditory guidance
• Cloud storage (iCloud, Evernote, Box.net, Dropbox, Google Docs, WebDAV)
• Import from Mac, iPhone, iPad, camera, a or scanner
• Premium Pack: enables unlimited on device processing and exports

OneStepReader (formally KNFB Reader)

Price: $99.99
Manufacturer: Sensotec nv
Product Page: OneStep Reader
Features:

• From iTunes and Google Play
• Take pictures of text with auditory guidance
• Link to dropbox for storage
• Manipulate reading modes, synchronized highlighting of text, text navigation, text detection
• Import and export documents in a variety of formats
• iOS and Android

Synapptic Software for Android

Price: $399
Manufacturer: Irie AT
Product Page: Synapptic Software for Android
Features:

• Scan print with built-in speech-to-text
• See additional features in the category "Simplified Computing"
• Includes a video magnifier function

GuideConnect

Price: Starts from $895 + (Contact manufacturer for pricing)
Manufacturer: Dolphin Computer Access
Product Page: GuideConnect
Features:

• Scan print with built-in speech-to-text
• See additional features in the category "Simplified Computing"

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Optical Character Recognition within Apps

Microsoft Lens

Price: Free
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Product Page: Microsoft Lens
Features:

• Scan and upload pictures and documents to Microsoft Cloud (OneNote and OneDrive).
• Converts print and handwriting to electronic text.

Google Docs

Price: Free
Manufacturer: Google
Product Page: Google Docs
Features:

• Open .pdfs in Google Docs to convert print and handwriting to electronic text.

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Scanning Apps to Support Apps with Built-In OCR

Scanner Pro

Price: Free
Manufacturer: Readdle Inc.
Product Page: Scanner Pro
Features:

• Scan to .pdf
• Save into cloud: Google, Dropbox, etc. to read with Google Docs
• iOS only

Cam Scanner

Price: Free (premium features available with subscription)
Manufacturer: CCi Intelligence
Product Page: Cam Scanner
Features:

• Scan to .pdf
• Save into cloud: Google, Dropbox, etc. to read with Google Docs
• iOS and Android

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Scanning Apps for Low Vision Users

SnapType / SnapType Pro

Price: Free | $4.99
Manufacturer: SnapType
Product Page: SnapType/SnapType Pro
Features:

• Take pictures of worksheets and fill in them electronically.
• Print or email completed worksheets.
• The Pro version allows for sharing via cloud share systems as well as unlimited storage within the app, and white board function.

Scanner Pro

Price: Free
Manufacturer: Readdle Inc.
Product Page: Scanner Pro
Features:

• Scan to .pdf.
• Save into cloud: Google, Dropbox, etc. to read with Google Docs.
• iOS only.

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Mounts and Stands for Tablet/Phone Scanning

ScanJig Basic and ScanJig Pro Plus

Price: $49.95
Manufacturer: ScanJig
Product Page:ScanJig Basic and ScanJig Pro Plus
Features:

• Supports phones and tablets
• Foldable/Portable
• Plus version includes a bracket for book scanning
• Free Shipping for Visually Impaired Customers

Scannerbin

Price: $19.95
Manufacturer: Scannerbin
Product Page: Scannerbin
Features:

• Supports phones and tablets
• Foldable/Portable

Optelec ClearReader+

Price: $2,140
Manufacturer: optelec
Product Page: Optelec ClearReader+
Features:

• Instant Reading
• Simple, Intuitive Controls
• Multi-Language & Voice Support

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OCR Software for Blind Users

Kurzweil 1000

Price: $995 for single, two or more | $795 for free 30 day trial
Manufacturer: Kurzweil Education
Product Page: Scannerbin
Features:

• Windows
• Supports HoverCam or Sceye camera scanners

OpenBook 9.0

Price: $1000
Manufacturer:Freedom Scientific
Product Page: OpenBook 9.0
Features:

• Windows
• Supports Pearl camera scanners

FineReader OCR Pro

Price: $69
Manufacturer: ABBYY
Product Page: FineReader OCR Pro
Features:

• Mac OS
• Not specifically created for blind users but most features are accessible with VoiceOver

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Screen Readers with Built-in OCR for Blind Users

Dolphin ScreenReader

Price: $1,105 - Download | $1,205 - Download & USB | $25 per month - monthly subscription | $360 per year - annual subscription
Manufacturer: Dolphin Computer Access
Product Page: Dolphin ScreenReader
Features:

• Features may be limited

Jaws

Price: $95 per year or from $1,100 lifetime
Manufacturer: Freedom Scientific
Product Page: Jaws
Features:

• Features may be limited

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OCR Software for Low Vision and Struggling Readers

Kurzweil 3000

Price: $1,395 standalone or $500/year | $2,000 for 10 users | $3,000 for 30 users | $4,000 site-or school-wide.
Manufacturer: Kurzweil Education
Product Page: Kurzweil 3000

• Windows and Mac with internet access
• Supports HoverCam or Kodak Sceye camera scanners
  *Note: The Kurzweil 1000 is recommended for screen reader compatibility.

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Screen Readers with Built-in OCR for Low Vision and Struggling Readers

Fusion - JAWS + ZoomText

Price: $1,850 for Home Download
Manufacturer: Freedom Scientific
Product Page: Fusion JAWS and Zoomtext
Features:

• JAWS Screen integrated with ZoomText Magnifier/Reader

Dolphin SuperNova

Price: $825 for SuperNova Magnifier and Speech | $1,665 for SuperNova Magnifier and ScreenReader
Manufacturer: Dolphin Computer Access
Product Page: SuperNova
Features:

• Features may be limited

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OCR Software for Sighted Teachers and Transcribers

Various zoning and simplification tools, auto-scan into MS Word, scan or open digital copies

OmniPage Ultimate 19.2

Price: $499
Manufacturer: Tungsten Automation formerly Kofax
Product Page: OmniPage 19.2 Ultimate
Features:

• Windows

Readiris PDF

Price: $129 for Readiris PDF 365 | $199 for Readiris PDF business
Manufacturer: IRIS
Product Page: Readiris PDF
Features:

• Windows and macOS