Basic Mobility - Low Vision & Blindness

Assistive Technology Notes – Low Vision & Blindness

For individuals with low vision or blindness, seeing and/or reading information on a standard computer screen can be a problem. Becky needed to use a computer to develop her business plan. She continues to use the computer to run her business. To adapt a computer for someone with a visual impairment, assistive technology (AT) software is available to either magnify the screen contents for low vision needs or to voice the contents of the computer screen for someone who is blind.

Most computer operating systems have screen magnification software for low vision users. Freeware software tools will magnify the area around the mouse cursor or act like a hand-held magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe. More powerful and expensive commercial software can magnify the entire contents of the screen or split the screen into magnification zones. Some operating systems and application programs offer settings to assist with low vision needs or offer limited magnification tools. If you require low vision assistance, check out what exists on your computer before purchasing or installing other low vision solutions.

Screen reading software would be used by individuals who are blind. The free/shareware screen reading tools are readily available and inexpensive but are not as capable as commercial screen reading tools. Don’t confuse screen reading software with “text-readers.” Text readers or “self-voicing” applications have the ability to “speak or voice” text, but are usually limited to that one application. Screen readers can “speak or voice” text, but can also “speak or voice” the menus, work within other applications, and “speak or voice” what information the underlying operating system presents to the user. As with screen magnification, some operating systems are starting to offer a “screen reader-like” function. Check what exists on your computer to see if it meets your needs before purchasing other more expensive screen reading solutions.

The “Voice-It-All” (VIA), available from several sources, is a hand-held device about the size of a pocket recorder that offers three helpful functions in one device. The VIA can be used to identify US currency, to identify colors, and can also be used as a digital voice recorder.

Color picture of the Voice-It-All device with wrist strap attached.
The “Voice-It-All” is a hand-held device used to identify US currency and colors.

A similar portable device that will soon be released for purchase is the Kurzweil “KNFB” Reader. While considerably more expensive than the VIA, the KNFB has more features. The Reader, about the size of large deck of cards, is actually a personal data assistant (PDA) combined with a digital camera and special optimized software. The user operates the Reader by pointing at printed documents, or labels, and after taking a picture, the printed-text is read aloud to the user. As this technology evolves, the possible uses for augmenting vision or assisting individuals with reading disabilities seem endless.

Resources

Good Source of Low Vision Information
KNFB Reader
Products for Blind/Low Vision/Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Screen Magnifiers
Screen Readers:

For Microsoft Windows Operating System, JAWS and Window Eyes
For Apple Macintosh Operating System, VoiceOver

Voice-It-All

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In This Issue
Section 1: Client Story Section 2: Focus Section 3: Assistive Technology Notes	Section 4: State Project Feature Section 5: References Section 6: Contacts