Adaptive Technology for the Visually Impaired
Adaptive technology is available for people who have visual-impairment. Visual impairment refers not to a specific disorder, but to the functional loss of vision. In the educational setting, a person with visual impairments can have low vision, partial-sight, be legally blind or totally blind and may require accommodations or special education services in order to be successful in the academic setting.
Other People Are Reading
-
Braille
-
Braille is a method for visually impaired people to read using their sense of touch. It is not a language, but a code. Braille Translation Software can be used to convert text to Braille using a computer and a Braille embosser, a printer that prints Braille. Companies such as Pulse Data, HumanWare and Enabling Technologies offer versions of this technology.
Optical Character Recognition
-
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is software that gives visually impaired individuals access to all printed material. The program can scan the book or text and convert it into information the computer can recognize. It can then be read using a screen reader or text to speech software. There are several freeware and shareware OCR programs available online such as FreeOCR and SimpleOCR.
-
Screen Magnification Software
-
Individuals with limited eye sight may benefit from a screen magnification program. This software enlarges the images and text on a computer screen making it easier to read. Companies such as Ai Squared and Big Shot produce this, as well as other software for individuals with visual impairment.
Screen Reader/Text to Speech
-
By translating text into speech with a text-to-speech (TTS) program or a screen reader program, a person with visual impairment can operate a computer independently. There is a variety of text to speech systems, ranging in price as well as capabilities. Text to speech systems are commonly utilized as assistive technology devices for visually impaired students. There are several free programs available online as well as those for purchase. Text to speech software programs include: Text SpeechPro, Praat, and Tag Sparker.
Dancing Dots
-
Dancing Dots produces assistive technology for visually impaired musicians which allows them to translate their music into Braille. The Goodfeel is a product that transcribe music into Braille, using a computer. Another product, Lime Aloud, allows musicians to easily create their own Braille music scores and compositions.
Modified Keyboards
-
Another challenge facing individuals with visual impairment is using a typical keyboard. There are keyboards with enlarged key lettering and on screen keyboards, which allow the keyboard to be displayed on the computer screen. Another option may be using a joy stick or using Sticky Keys. Sticky Keys is an option on your computer which allows the user to press two keys simultaneously, without having to hold them down simultaneously.
-
References
- Photo Credit computer image by martini from Fotolia.com
