Technology for the Blind Ashlee Gentry FCCS 1100 October 29, 2007

Types of vision problems Low vision means lack of acuity, meaning that objects do not come into focus. It can also mean that the person has trouble distinguishing colors, seeing contrasts, and determining spatial relationships. Visually impaired can be caused from many different reasons and the sight ability will range from low vision to totally blind. Legally blind is sight that is worse than 20/200 and can not be fixed with corrective lenses. A person who is totally blind can not anything with a rare exception of a bright light.

Blindness statistics Around 10 million people in US are blind and visually impaired. Around 1.3 million people in America are legally blind. Around 10% of the 10 million use a white cane to get around. An even smaller percentage is totally blind. White Cane

Louis Braille and the Braille system Louis Braille, from France, was blind from the age of the three. Louis Braille invented the Braille system in 1829. The Braille system is a grouped of raised dots in each “cell.” There is a max of 6 dots per cell. Louis Braille

Note Takers PAC Mate There are many different types of note takers for the blind and visually impaired. Slate and Stylus Braille N’ Speak Braille Note Braille Lite PAC Mate

jaws JAWS converts text and components of the Windows operating system into synthesized speech, allowing access to Windows-based computers. With JAWS one can surf the internet, listen to e- books and other materials, read text out loud from computer screen, use telecommunications and word processing. JAWS is available in multiple languages Cost around $1100

Zoom text Zoom texts is a special software that blows up the text on the screen for a low vision person. It cost any where from $395 to $695 according to which version you choose. Special “zoomed” keyboard Sample of the zoom features The software

mOre Gadgets Note Teller 2 reads all currency, including new bills. Color Teller scans an object and says the color. Language Master is a talking dictionary. Color Teller Note Teller 2 Language Master

other gadgets Talking Calculator Talking Clock Talking Caller ID Talking Called ID Talking Calculator Talking Clock Talking Caller ID Talking Cell phones Braille Embosser Scanner Recorders Scanner Talking Cell phone Talking Calculator Embosser Talking Clock

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