Disability Visual Aids

There are often misconceptions about people with disabilities. They arise from the lack of knowledge of what people can do and what adaptive technology is available to the disabled.

As one with a disability I can tell you first hand how it is to have been labeled in a category. I was told that I would not be able to do this and that. Technology opened up a whole new world for me. Possibilities abounded to me that had not been there before.

A recent conversation comes to mind. I was speaking to a woman about the Non-Profit Foundation that I am a Co-Founder of. Our Foundation brings technology to the visually impaired and the disabled. We spoke about computer use. She told me that she thought that the visually impaired, especially the blind, did not use the computer and thus the internet. I explained to her the adaptive technology that is available for them to use.

This is one example of how there are misconceptions about disabled persons. We will look at some of the adaptive technology and the functions that enhance lives today.

A Braille reader is used as an input device on a personal computer. This is direct touch for embossed point on Braille paper by an isolated thin metal wire which can connect to any other large/small computers.

A (CCTV) or closed-circuit television system uses a stand-mounted or handheld video camera that projects a magnified image onto a video monitor, a television (TV) screen, or a computer monitor.

Braille Displays operate by raising and lowering different combination's of pins electronically to produce in Braille format what appears on a portion of a computer screen. They show up to 80 characters from the screen and are refreshable. The Braille display sits on the user's desk. The advantage of the Braille display in comparison to synthetic speech is in its direct access to information. They also check format, spacing and spelling.

Electronic Braille note takers are small, portable devices with Braille keyboards for entering information. They use a speech synthesizer or a Braille display for output. The user then enters the information on the Braille keyboard and has the option of transferring it to a computer with more memory, reviewing it using the built in speech synthesizer or Braille display, or printing it on a Braille or on a printer.

Screen readers that tell the synthesizer what to say. The synthesizers used with computers are text-to-speech systems. Their programming includes all the phonemes and grammatical rules of a language. This allows them to pronounce words correctly.

Screen magnifiers come with many options and can reach high levels of magnification. Today's full-featured screen magnification programs are compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and NT/2000. For those who need more than magnification, it is possible to use a built-in screen reader with today's screen magnifiers.

Low Browse: From Lighthouse International this is an add-on to Mozilla's Firefox browser. It enables visually impaired person to view web pages as the web author intended them to be viewed. This software also reads the text on those pages that is formatted to the viewers own needs.

WebAnywhere: WebAnywhere is a screen reader that is web based. The blind can access the web from any computer as long as it has a sound card.

So let us set those misconceptions aside. The proper knowledge and tools can aid those with disabilities to rise.

Visual Aids, Benefits for Everyday

On a recent trip to a training facility I learned about many products that bring about ease to a visually impaired persons everyday life. Coupled with that in my business there are also items that I recommend. Some of these are low cost and others are free. Note that I do not sell any of these products.

First I will start with the items and then describe software and a screen reader.

Medication Reminder Pill Bottles: These bottles have a recorder that speak instructions on how to take medications and what to do when you miss a dose. The pharmacist actually records the message. Average Price: $25.00

Vibrating Watch: Vibrating watches are wonderful to remind one of meeting and when to take medication or and other activity. Average Price: $100.00

Talking Cooking Thermometer (not just for cooking): There are many uses for this item such as for in the kitchen testing the temperature of the meat or when cooking water. Other uses include testing the temperature of a room, bath water, and heating pads. Average Price: $30.00

Braille Speakerphone with Large Numbers: Phones of these types have large numbers with accompanying symbols in Braille as well as a visual ring indicator. Average Price: $33.00

Checks and Deposit Register: Checks in Large Print can be ordered for free from your local bank. Large check registers measuring 8.5 by 11 for the visually impaired are available for purchase. They make it easy to maintain your finances. Average Price $6.00

Talking Timers: There are many types that mention the end of timing. Some come with many different functions but of course the cost is much more. The price below is for the basic ones. The Average Price: $12.00

Talking Color Identifier: This is an invaluable wonderful tool for identifying colors that is preformed by placing the tool on the item. The color is then identified in speech. Items that the tool can be used on are clothing, fabric or many other surfaces. There are 14 types of colors normally identified with these products. Average Price: $140.00

Talking Calculators: They have large print and also speak. The lower priced ones have the basic functions of adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying, and calculating percentages. Average Price: $20.00

Talking Books and Players: These are available for free through the Talking Books Services. Check your local Agencies.

White Canes: Most canes come in carbon fiber for lasting quality. They are best as collapsing types for they fit conveniently anywhere. Average Price: $35.00

Talking Clocks and Watches: There are several types of talking clocks and watches with excellent voice quality. Average Price: $15.00

Magnifiers: Magnifiers come is several sizes with different magnification depending upon what the users needs are, so prices do vary. Average Price: $10.00

Braille Tags: These are great for sewing into clothes to indentify them. An example would be to determine the color or for matching purposes. They come in a package. Typically the amount is a quantity of 50. Average Price: $30.00

Low Browse: From Lighthouse International this is an add-on to Mozilla's Firefox browser. It enables visually impaired person to view web pages as the web author intended them to be viewed. This software also reads the text on those pages that is formatted to the viewers own needs.

WebAnywhere: WebAnywhere is a screen reader that is web based. The blind can access the web from any computer as long as it has a sound card. For more details please see: http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/ FREE

These are just a few things to make everyday simpler and easier for the visually impaired without the high cost. I am the Co-Founder of Visual Innovations & Solutions. We bring technology to the visually impaired, blind, and the disabled at http://visualinnovations.org

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Further Information Regarding Disability Visual Aids

Braille Facts and Information
Braille is a tactile system of raised dots that represent letters of the alphabet which can be used by persons with vision impairment. In order to read braille, a person gently glides their fingers over paper which has been embossed with braille code.

TextAloud Outperforms Traditional Screen Readers for Blind Welsh Educator
TextAloud is the leading Text to Speech software that allows any PC user to translate reading from screen to sound, all in one easy, user-friendly PC program. Priced from just $29.95, TextAloud exports almost any reading material -- from documents and PDFs, to e-mails, websites, and more -- into natural-sounding, computer-generated speech.

Audio Books for the Blind
Audio books are useful for many demographics of the population - Elderly people could go on "reading" audio books when they are not capable of reading books any more, busy career people can listen to business journals and magazines via audio books, children can listen to audio books of a higher level than they are able to read, etc.

Vision for iPhone and iPod Touch by AppZap
Approximately one-third of the population has some form of vision-related problem. With the use of electronics that appeal to users through visual interfaces, it is a pleasure to find an iPhone and iPod application that has the capability to, "check-up," on certain aspects of a person's eyesight.

Eye Exercises Help Vision Problems
Eye exercises are used to treat a variety of vision disorders, according to Dr. Janice Wensveen, clinical associate professor at the University of Houston's College of Optometry.

AFB Braille Teaching
One hundred and seventy five years after the first book was published in braille, millions of people who are blind or have low vision continue to read, write, and communicate through the six dot system. In fact, braille is used throughout the world by people who read a variety of languages.

Bookshare Online Books for Print and Vision Disabilities
Bookshare, the world's largest accessible online library for people with print disabilities, has been completely rebuilt with state-of-the-art web technology to make it easier for individuals with print disabilities to access digital books.

Easy to use Jitterbug Cell Phones for Seniors
Jitterbug have created a simpler cell phone that is easy to use and includes friendly, helpful service. The company's mission is to simplify technology and make it available to everyone.

Talking Color Detectors
Talking Color Detectors are color identifiers designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low or poor vision. The user can adjust the volume or select more than one language. Color Detectors can be very useful in identifying clothing colors and products.

Hearing Impaired Clocks and Vibrating Watches
There is a nice variety of hearing impaired alarm clocks and vibrating watches out there to help people with hearing loss wake up with the same ease as those with no hearing difficulties. So to help you or a loved one become better informed on the options out there, I've gathered a handful of highly-rated clocks that can ensure anyone using them will wake up easily.