Hi Dominique,
I'd like to pass this on to my group and along with acknowledging your
good self I'd too like to credit the source of that very informative
article.
A number of our members are parents of visually impaired children and
this may well be new to them so good to let them know where to check for
more info on the topic if required.
Thanks for sharing those great minis.
#tony Sweeney.
On 10/07/2017 20:08, Dominique Farrell wrote:
If you have little or no vision, you may find it difficult or impossible to
do things that so many people now take for granted. These include using the
internet, booking flights, reading printed items such as books, magazines,
newspapers or even mail that comes through the door. Technology can help
though. If the right technology is used, you will enjoy the same freedom to
read as everyone else.
CCTV
A closed circuit television, or CCTV, is a device that magnifies things so
they are easier to see. It has a built-in camera, which takes a picture of a
printed page and shows it enlarged on a screen. There are many different
types of CCTV and they come in different sizes depending on the tasks for
which they will be used. Portable models help in situations where you need
to move around a lot. They have their own screen. Some models can display
the picture on your TV screen and allow you to change the colours of the
text and background to whatever is easiest for you.
Scanners
A scanner is similar to a photocopier, but as well as taking a picture of a
page it can read the text. Some scanners can speak the text out loud so they
can read the daily newspaper to you, or your favourite magazine. All you
have to do is place a page on the scanner and press a button. Most scanners
need to be connected to a computer. The computer stores the text and can
read it out to you, or you can add the text to an email or print it, even
alter it using the computer.
With the huge growth in the use of mobile phones and tablets, many people
are now using software that lets your phone's camera act as a scanner. You
simply hold your phone over the page to be read and the phone takes a
picture and translates that picture into spoken or large text. This is
really useful in so many different scenarios but one example might be
reading a menu in a restaurant independently.
Computer Access
Many people with vision impairments all over the world use a computer every
day at home or at work. Thanks to assistive software, they are able to do
things on their computer which would previously not have been possible. Even
people who are totally blind can do everything using only a keyboard.
Screen Magnification
Even if you have low vision, you may still be able to use the computer
screen with the help of screen magnification software. This software enables
the computer to enlarge the text on its screen so that a person with low
vision can see it comfortably. It can also change the colours used and the
amount of the screen that is enlarged at any one time.
Some screen magnification software gives the option of having the text on
the screen spoken to you by the computer, as well as being magnified. This
can be very useful if you want to do a lot of computer work but find that
you can get eyestrain after a while.
Here is a list of popular screen magnification technologies currently on the
market:
* ZoomText - www.aisquared.com
<http://www.freedomscientific.com/product-portal.asp>
* SuperNova - www.yourdolphin.com <http://www.yourdolphin.com/>
* MAGic - www.freedomscientific.com
<http://www.freedomscientific.com/>
Screen Reader
A screen reader is a piece of software that enables a person with no sight
to use all the functions of a computer, making it possible for them to read
and write documents, use the internet and send email, using only a keyboard
and without needing to look at a computer screen. The screen reader uses
synthetic speech to speak all the information that would appear on the
screen. It is able to describe everything on the screen, including all the
commands and buttons that you can use.
Here are two popular screen reader technologies currently on the market:
* Jaws - www.freedomscientific.com/product-portal.asp
<http://www.freedomscientific.com/product-portal.asp>
* Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) - www.nvda-project.org
<http://www.nvda-project.org/>
Refreshable Braille
If you would rather read in Braille than have the text spoken to you, a
Refreshable Braille display may be what you need. This is like a miniature
screen sitting in front of the keyboard, capable of displaying a line of
Braille by raising and lowering small plastic pins. You can easily move your
hands between the keyboard and the display and read the text which is
displayed a line at a time. Refreshable Braille displays come in several
sizes, depending on the amount of information that you need to see at any
one time. Refreshable Braille displays can also be used to connect to mobile
devices for on-the-move work and are frequently used in education and
employment. Many computer users who are blind or vision impaired use a
Refreshable Braille display in conjunction with speech output.
Braille printers
A Braille printer, also called an embosser, enables a person to print
documents, emails, web pages or other types of information in Braille from a
computer or mobile device. Several types of Braille printers are available,
capable of printing different levels of Braille and at different speeds.
Braille translation software is used to prepare documents before they are
sent to the Braille printer.
Note Takers
If you are blind or vision impaired and would like to be able to take notes
in a classroom, lecture hall, or while you are on the move, a note taker may
be just the thing for you. These small, portable devices enable you to type
in and read back notes using a built in refreshable Braille display or
speech output. They may also include other useful functions, like an address
book, telephone dialler, diary, calculator or alarm clock. There are a range
of models available with different keyboards. Some can be connected to a
computer to save notes you have made. The most advanced units have the full
functionality of a laptop computer.
Mobile Devices
Mobile devices are becoming a part of almost every aspect of what we do
today. There are a range of phones and tablets available and the level of
built-in accessibility varies depending on what you require. It is very
important that you evaluate the available devices for yourself and work out
which one best meets your needs. NCBI technology staff can provide further
assistance and information as required.
iOS
iOS is Apple's mobile operating system. The technology is installed on their
iPhone, iPad and iPod range of devices. It features a fully functional
screen reader called Voiceover and a magnification package called Zoom.
Android
Android is Google's operating system and runs on a huge number of mobile
phones and tablet devices, as well as some smart TVs. Android features a
screen reader called Talkback and a whole range of magnification options.
Windows Mobile
Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system runs on an increasing number of
Smartphones and tablet devices. It includes a screen reader called Narrator
and a built-in magnifier.
Software downloads
Our Software Downloads page <http://www.ncbi.ie/software-resources/> is a
good place to get more detailed information and demonstration versions of
some of our most popular Assistive Technology packages.
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