SBIR Phase I: Artificial Intelligence Software to Tutor Literary Braille to the Blind and Visually Impaired

这个小企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目旨在开发第一个人工智能软件，为盲人/视障学生辅导文学盲文。盲文是盲人进行书面交流的主要媒介，盲文识字率大幅下降，对学习成绩、日常生活能力和就业机会产生了负面影响。将经过验证的有效人工智能技术带到谈判桌上的能力，将在向所有学生提供公平的教育机会方面产生重大影响，因为该项目直接涉及基本识字问题。最初针对的是K-12学生，其中大部分是由视障人士(TVI)巡回教师服务的主流学生，该导师将基于网络，使任何人在学校和家里学习期间都能根据需要获得专家支持。重要的是，导师将使用已经在使用的标准可访问性技术进行操作。由于导师是对现有课程的补充，并直接与现有课程相结合，因此不需要教师/TVIS更改课程、教材或时间表。除了改善学生的学习效果外，该项目还将包括对负责教学的教师/TVIS的支持。该项目的更广泛/商业影响将是基于人工智能的盲文教育软件的潜力，该软件通过互联网及时交付。预期的影响是，学生实现识字，并能够在更高的水平上表现(例如，学术、日常生活、就业)，从而提高生活质量和增加社会贡献。为了产生影响，该产品必须负担得起，对不同学习环境中的不同人群有效，易于使用，并在非正规和正规教育环境中的方便时间和地点轻松访问。在NIH支持的SBIR研究中，Quantum成功地创建了基于人工智能的教育软件，盲人(化学)可以使用该软件。此外，Quantum已经成功地为化学和会计领域的独特人工智能技术申请了专利，并将其商业化，采用了企业对企业的许可模式，为教育公司提供了率先进入市场和强大的可持续优势。这一模式涉及所有教育供应商，提供突破性技术，为客户增加市场份额，并迅速传播给最终用户。对于这个项目，Quantum将与拥有已建立渠道的组织合作，这些组织以在线服务的形式分发软件，例如该项目的合作伙伴美国盲人印刷厂。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to focuses on developing the first artificial intelligence software to tutor literary Braille to blind/visually impaired students. Braille is the primary medium for written communication for the blind and there has been a dramatic decline in Braille literacy, negatively impacting academic performance, ability to navigate the everyday world and employment opportunities. The ability to bring proven effective AI technology to the table, will make a meaningful difference in providing equitable education opportunities to all students, as this project speaks directly to issues of basic literacy. Initially targeted for K-12 students, the majority of which are mainstreamed students served by the itinerant teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), the tutor will be web-based, enabling anyone to receive expert support on demand during study at school and home. Importantly, the tutor will operate using standard accessibility technology already in use. Because the tutor is supplemental to existing curricula and integrates directly with existing lessons, it will not require teachers/TVIs to change lessons, teaching materials, or schedules. In addition to improving learning outcomes for students, this project will also include support for teachers/TVIs responsible for instruction.The broader/commercial impact of this project will be the potential for Braille education software based on artificial intelligence, delivered just-in-time through the Internet. The anticipated impact is that students achieve literacy and are able to perform at a higher level (e.g. academics, daily living, employment) resulting in improved quality of life and increased societal contributions. To have an impact, the product must be affordable, effective for a heterogeneous population in diverse learning environments, easy to use and easily accessed at convenient times and locations in informal and formal educational settings. In SBIR research supported by NIH, Quantum has successfully created AI-based educational software that is accessible to the blind (in chemistry). Furthermore, Quantum has successfully patented and commercialized unique AI technologies in chemistry and accounting using a business-to-business licensing model that provides educational companies with first-to-market and strong sustainable advantages. This model engages the entire spectrum of educational vendors, offering breakthrough technology that permits increased market share for customers and rapid dissemination to end users. For this project, Quantum will partner with organizations with established channels, who distribute the software as an online service, such as the American Printing House for the Blind, a partner on this project.