Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages

Mamoru Iwabuchi; Kenryu Nakamura; Takeo Kondo; Paul Blenkhorn

doi:10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719

Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages

Mamoru Iwabuchi, Kenryu Nakamura, Takeo Kondo, Paul Blenkhorn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

In this study, extending the use of assistive technology (AT) in developing countries including the localization of the technology for minority languages was aimed at. Nepali screen reader was discussed as one of the most needed AT in those countries. First our team visited Nepal, and investigated the current situation of blind people and their use of AT in the country. Secondly Nepali screen reader was build using existing technology including a speech engine of a closely related language, Hindi. Its trial concluded that Hindi speech engine could work for Nepali screen reader. It is suggested that this economical approach could be applicable to the development of screen readers for other minority languages. Providing information about AT can be also a key element when supporting developing countries.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009
Editors	Pier Luigi Emiliani, Laura Burzagli, Andrea Como, Gabbanini Gabbanini, Anna-Liisa Salminen
Pages	719-722
Number of pages	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719
Publication status	Published - 2009 Dec 1
Externally published	Yes

Publication series

Name	Assistive Technology Research Series
Volume	25
ISSN (Print)	1383-813X
ISSN (Electronic)	1879-8071

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Keywords

Assistive technology
developing countries
minority languages
Nepal
screen reader

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Medicine (miscellaneous)
Engineering (miscellaneous)

Cite this

Iwabuchi, M., Nakamura, K., Kondo, T., & Blenkhorn, P. (2009). Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages. In P. L. Emiliani, L. Burzagli, A. Como, G. Gabbanini, & A-L. Salminen (Eds.), Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009 (pp. 719-722). (Assistive Technology Research Series; Vol. 25). https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719

Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages. / Iwabuchi, Mamoru; Nakamura, Kenryu; Kondo, Takeo; Blenkhorn, Paul.

Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009. ed. / Pier Luigi Emiliani; Laura Burzagli; Andrea Como; Gabbanini Gabbanini; Anna-Liisa Salminen. 2009. p. 719-722 (Assistive Technology Research Series; Vol. 25).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Iwabuchi, M, Nakamura, K, Kondo, T & Blenkhorn, P 2009, Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages. in PL Emiliani, L Burzagli, A Como, G Gabbanini & A-L Salminen (eds), Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009. Assistive Technology Research Series, vol. 25, pp. 719-722. https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719

Iwabuchi M, Nakamura K, Kondo T, Blenkhorn P. Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages. In Emiliani PL, Burzagli L, Como A, Gabbanini G, Salminen A-L, editors, Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009. 2009. p. 719-722. (Assistive Technology Research Series). https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719

Iwabuchi, Mamoru ; Nakamura, Kenryu ; Kondo, Takeo ; Blenkhorn, Paul. / Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages. Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009. editor / Pier Luigi Emiliani ; Laura Burzagli ; Andrea Como ; Gabbanini Gabbanini ; Anna-Liisa Salminen. 2009. pp. 719-722 (Assistive Technology Research Series).

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Access to Document

10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719