Funding from the EU Structural Funds has supported the development of a new Lithuanian language synthesizer developed especially for the blind.

The Lithuanian language synthesizer has been developed to assist the growing number of blind people who are finding a degree of independence through computers. It consists of a special programme that reads the information on the computer screen aloud. The programme was developed by the social enterprise, ETALINKAS, which employs a high number of blind or sight-impaired staff.

According to users, the new synthesizer – which uses the voice of the former Lithuanian sports commentator, Vasilijus Kuzminskas – is a big improvement on earlier programmes which were less user-friendly. The development of the program was made possible thanks to funding of LTL 600 000 (+/- €174 000) from the EU Structural Funds. Compatible with both Windows and Linux, the synthesizer will be distributed free of charge. It can be downloaded directly from the ETALINKAS website, together with the installation manual.

According to statistics, around 500 people lose their eyesight every year in Lithuania and the Lithuanian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired has over 7 000 members. This new tool should provide significant support to this specific group of computer users and facilitate their integration into working life.

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