Liverpool hospital receives life-changing tech for blind and dyslexic children

Five young patients at the hospital have benefitted from technology that makes reading easier for those who are visually impaired or have reading difficulties

Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital received the donation of tech designed to enhance patient care from OrCam Technologies, a specialist in personal AI technology.

The five patients at the hospital were identified as being able to benefit from either the OrCam Read or OrCam MyEye devices. The patients aged 12 to 17 years old included children with degenerative eyesight conditions and learning difficulties.

These included some children with dyslexia, mild to moderate low vision and other reading challenges who were gifted the OrCam Read, a first-of-its-kind handheld reader that reads text aloud – from any printed surface or digital screen – in real time. The personal AI digital reader captures full pages and screens of text and helps people of all ages, including young children, read and enjoy books, comics and websites more independently.

“The technology will be of huge benefit, helping five of our patients with visual impairments and reading difficulties to read and learn as part of their ongoing development as they progress into later life,” – Fiona Ashcroft, chief executive from Alder Hey Children’s Charity

Other children were gifted with the OrCam MyEye, a wearable assistive device that reads aloud printed and digital text – from any surface – and recognises faces, products and more, all in real time. The device delivers increased independence for patients who are blind, visually impaired or suffer from reading fatigue – empowering them to study, work and navigate throughout their daily lives.

It is hoped that by using the OrCam MyEye, young patients visiting hospital can recognise those caring for them, take a more active part in lessons and homework, and enjoy books and games with more ease.

The five patients were invited with their families to the hospital’s eye clinic at the Ophthalmology Department and presented with their devices on 20 April 2022. A training workshop with OrCam took place with patients on how to use the revolutionary assistive technology and the proven outcomes for patients with reading, learning and sight loss challenges.

Fiona Ashcroft, chief executive from Alder Hey Children’s Charity, said: “We’re extremely grateful to have received such a fantastic donation from OrCam Technologies. The technology will be of huge benefit, helping five of our patients with visual impairments and reading difficulties to read and learn as part of their ongoing development as they progress into later life.”

OrCam is reportedly planning a follow-up session in the months ahead to visit the five hospital patients and provide ongoing support, including answering any questions the parents may have regarding operation and utilisation of the OrCam Read and OrCam MyEye devices.


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