Research on Optacon Replacement

The Optacon is a reading device for the blind. It permits reading printed material by feeling a tactile version of the visual image. The image is presented to the Optacon user on an array of vibrating metal rods placed under the user's index finger. Telesensory, Inc., has stopped manufacturing the Optacon for reasons of high cost versus low demand. Freedom Scientific was working on research to develop a replacement reading device that would be less expensive to produce and would have enhanced functionality compared to the Optacon. At this time it is believed Freedom Scientific does not feel the new Optacon would be viable. However, the mailing list for discussing the Optacon and other research toward its replacement continues to operate. To subscribe to the Optacon mailing list, send an e-mail message to listproc@blazie.com. Leave the "subject" of the message blank. In the body of the message put the command

subscribe optacon first_name last_name

where first_name last_name is your name as you would like to be known on the mailing list.