TY - GEN
T1 - Exploring the use of assistive technology for developing countries and minority languages
AU - Iwabuchi, Mamoru
AU - Nakamura, Kenryu
AU - Kondo, Takeo
AU - Blenkhorn, Paul
PY - 2009/12/1
Y1 - 2009/12/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Assistive technology
KW - Nepal
KW - developing countries
KW - minority languages
KW - screen reader
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865430499&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84865430499&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719
DO - 10.3233/978-1-60750-042-1-719
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84865430499
SN - 9781607500421
T3 - Assistive Technology Research Series
SP - 719
EP - 722
BT - Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments. AAATE 2009
A2 - Emiliani, Pier Luigi
A2 - Burzagli, Laura
A2 - Como, Andrea
A2 - Gabbanini, Gabbanini
A2 - Salminen, Anna-Liisa
ER -