Linda Lustig
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Assistive Technology

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Assistive Technology for Writing

12/7/2018

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  1. Writing Tools
  2. Using bold felt-tip markers or soft lead pencils can provide greater contrast on paper, allowing students with low vision to read with greater ease.
  3. Adaptive Paper
  4. Specialized paper with darkened lines, raised lines, or using color can significantly improve the writing of students with low vision.
  5. Slate and Stylus
  6. A slate and stylus can be equated to paper and pencil for individuals who are blind. This simple low tech tool allows students to quickly and efficiently complete simple tasks like creating labels or writing notes to themselves. The slate and stylus is not practical for longer writing tasks.
  7. Handheld Digital Recorder
  8. A handheld digital recorder allows the student to record lectures, dictate assignments, or make notes to self.
  9. Writing with traditional paper and pencil under a video magnification camera allows the student to view their work in real time through the use of a large monitor.
  10. Word Processor
  11. Word processors are readily available and are highly adaptable. Text size and font can be customized or built-in operating system accessibility features can be used to enhance the visual display. The use of adaptive keyboards with high contrast or enlarged keys can also be utilized
  12. Word Processor with Specialized Software
  13. Text-to-speech software can create a "talking word processor" which provides feedback to the student about what they have typed, while speech recognition software allows the student to dictate into a microphone, which the computer translates into text. Screen magnification software can enlarge the entire display or only selected portions and may or may not provide audio feedback.
  14. Word Processor with Refreshable Braille Display
  15. For students with no vision, a refreshable braille display can be used in conjunction with the word processor, which will display the text tactually allowing the student to reread and edit their own work. This strategy can be used with or without audio feedback, which supports multisensory learners and allows the student to choose the access method. The incorporation of braille has the potential to significantly improve the editing process.
  16. Manual & Electric Braillewriters
  17. A manual braillewriter is similar to a typewriter and is a simple, yet rugged device that is often introduced to students who are emergent readers and writers. As students progress, they may transition to an electronic braillewriter before beginning to use a braille notetaker.
  18. Braille Notetaker
  19. A braille notetaker is a portable word processing device that utilizes the eight key braille input system and has an integrated refreshable braille display. This tool encompasses many functional areas in addition to writing. Students can use a braille notetaker to complete assignments, read textbooks, and navigate the Internet. Although products and their features vary, many are available with speech output, Wi-Fi connectivity, access to e-mail, calculators, calendars and other personal organizational tools, or GPS navigation systems. The braille notetaker is a lifelong tool and should be introduced as soon as the student demonstrates readiness.
  20. Braille Embosser
  21. A braille embosser allows the student to print out their completed work in braille format.
  22. Writing with CCTV
  23. Retrieved from: http://www.opmnj.com/services/low-vision.html
  24. BrailleNote Apex
  25. Retrieved from:
  26. http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/blindness/braillenotes
  27. Manual Brailler
  28. Retrieved from:
  29. http://shop.aph.org/wcsstore/APHConsumerDirect/Attachment/products_secondary/1-00815-00_LightTouchPerkins_girl.jpg
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comparing braillers embosser.....

12/6/2018

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�The Braille Monitor,  October 2001 Edition������������������������������������� Choosing your Braille Embosserby Anne Taylor���������������

Anne TaylorFrom the Editor: Anne Taylor is a Computer Specialist who works in the NFB's International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind. Every so often the technology staff conducts a comparison of various kinds of access equipment in order to assist those considering purchasing such equipment. This time the equipment is Braille embossers. This is what Mrs. Taylor has to say:
It is safe to say that the Braille embossers (thirty-one of them) we display in the NFB's International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind (IBTC) are the most numerous and expensive access technology equipment we have in this comprehensive facility. As we all know, there is no such thing as a free lunch, especially in the access-technology market. The embosser prices range from $1,695 to $86,000 among thirty-one models (twenty-seven of which are currently used widely around the world). Many visitors come to us asking which embosser they should purchase. This article discusses the factors to be considered in making a wise decision. Our assessments of the various producers follow. At the end you will find a chart comparing embossing speeds.
Begin your search by making a wish list for an embosser, jotting down your actual needs:
* What is the volume of Braille you are going to produce, and how frequently are you going to use the embosser? The slowest embosser prints at approximately ten characters per second (CPS); the fastest embosser prints at approximately 800 CPS, and generally faster means more expensive. Why pay thousands of additional dollars for an embosser that can print at a higher speed than you need?
* Embossing Braille is a very active mechanical process which often creates a lot of noise. Is the noise going to be a problem in the environment in which the embosser will operate? Will you need to buy a soundproof case too?
* How will this embosser be used? Bearing in mind that embossers weigh from twelve to more than three hundred pounds, how often will you need to move it between home and school or back and forth to an office? Should it be portable or stationary, come with its own sturdy carrying case, or need no more than a dust cover?
* Who will be reading the Braille material? If he or she is a fluent Braille reader, the quality of the Braille produced is crucial. The embosser must produce dots of a height that will be easy to read. Some do this better than others. To save expense on costly Braille paper, many prefer embossers that produce interpoint Braille (Braille on both sides of the page). Because it is difficult for sighted teachers or transcribers to sight-read interpoint Braille, you may decide the best embosser is one that can print both single-sided and interpoint Braille.
* How hard is it to get a customer service representative on the phone? How difficult is it to obtain parts or the services of a repairman if your expensive machine breaks down? Keep in mind that the larger embossers need periodic preventive maintenance from a trained technician, and many popular, large-capacity Braille embossers are not manufactured in this country. What is the company's track record for customer service?
* How fast is it really? To go beyond the facts published by one individual company, where can you get an unbiased comparison of all the embossers that interest you? Yes, right here in this article from the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind.
Let's talk a bit about the suppliers of Braille embossers and mention some factors which distinguish their embossers from the competition. Enabling Technologies Company, of Jensen Beach, Florida, is the most widely known supplier of Braille embossers sold in the United States. Having been in business for about fifteen years, this company sells embossers ranging in price from $2,195 to $33,000. However, the most widely sold are in two series: the Romeos and the Juliets. In our experience these embossers have a strong track record for reliability. Another good point is that all of their embossers have very similar configuration menus. Once you've learned to operate one of their embossers, you are likely to learn very quickly how to run any of their other embossers.
On the other hand, Enabling Technologies' embossers are probably more suitable for tech-savvy users. The biggest problem is that the embosser configuration menus are governed by entering sequences of numbers on a telephone-like keypad. This system requires the user either to have an excellent memory or to have the user's manual handy at all times. As for turn-around time on customer service, no expert in the Enabling technical support department will take calls directly to deal with an immediate problem. Instead callers are instructed to leave a message on the company's voicemail. We can report that the technical support staff has been prompt in returning calls.
Sighted Electronics, in Westwood, New Jersey, is rapidly gaining a bigger share of the embosser market. A major importer of Braille embossers from Europe, its product lines include the Thiel Braille embossers from Germany and Index Braille embossers from Sweden. Both brands are widely used here and in Europe. We found that some Index embossers can occasionally be temperamental, especially the Index Everest and Index 4x4 Pro, both of which tend to jam when the print job is lengthy. However, this line of embossers has spoken menus, which are easy to follow, and the embossers have buttons labeled in both print and Braille. Because of this, users can configure the embosser quickly. Only two Thiel embossers, the Impacto and the Porta-Thiel, are sold in this country. Neither is prone to breakdowns. We appreciate the fact that, when one calls the Sighted Electronics technical support department, usually a live human being answers the phone.
Freedom Scientific, Blind/Low Vision Group, of St. Petersburg, Florida, sells the Braille Blazer, the Braille Inferno, and the VersaPoint Duo. This last is made by Enabling Technologies Company, therefore its shape, size, and reliability are similar to those of Enabling's other embossers. Both the Braille Blazer and the Braille Inferno are lightweight embossers equipped with a spoken menu and are not suitable for large Braille-production jobs. As with any other big company's technical support line today, customers have to get through the telephone menu and may be on hold for a while before the call is answered. Also the voice menu often directs callers to a different, toll phone number for specific-product technical support. Patient customers do get the help they need.
American Thermoform Corporation of La Verne, California, imports Braillo embossers from Norway. Agencies producing Braille books or magazines often buy a Braillo because it has a well-deserved reputation for trouble-free bulk production. However, if you have a breakdown or it's time to replace a part, start hoping that the part is in stock in California because you will wait at least a week to get back in production if the replacement part must come through customs from Norway. Additionally, a blind user cannot operate the Braillo independently since it has no voice output, only menu options shown on the LCD screen. American Thermoform does have a toll-free number and is good at giving directions over the phone for repairs that can be done in-house.
N. V. Interpoint is located in Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium, and manufactures one of the fastest Braille embossers today, the Interpoint 55. According to the manufacturer, it can emboss at the rate of 800 CPS. The NFB uses this machine every year to produce the menus and other documents used at our National Convention, and it is the IBTC staff's machine of choice whenever we have a large job to Braille. It embosses interpoint Braille, then cuts magazine-format sheets (two or four pages per sheet) from the roll. As the embosser prints, it generates lines on the sheets to pre-score the finished pages for binding or stapling. With simple manipulation of the menu parameters in the Print 55 software, the user can choose to emboss either single-sided or interpoint Braille on individually-cut pages.
Both costly and versatile, this embosser has proven to be quite reliable (which is a good thing because the only trained repairman, the company owner and product's inventor, is in Belgium and best contacted by e-mail or faxed message). We admire engineering professor Guido Francois, the inventor, for his dedication to his craft. He will do his best to get your machine up and running again. Additional points, possibly drawbacks, are that users cannot program the Interpoint 55 to print directly from Duxbury; it won't run without software for the printer (the Print 55), which is DOS-based. While the embosser is running, the user must make sure that the paper starts feeding perfectly and continue watching to restore order should pages flip over during the printing process; the huge roll of paper is very heavy and very difficult to load. Only a strong person can load the roll into its cradle while making the necessary connections.
HumanWare, Incorporated, of Loomis, California, is a supplier for the Paragon embosser, which is often described as a more expensive clone of the Thomas, sold by Enabling Technologies. Thus far, we have not had occasion to call technical support for this embosser. However, company technical support has been helpful whenever we have called the toll-free number about other products HumanWare carries.
ViewPlus Technologies, based in Corvallis, Oregon, focuses on Braille graphics. It is the inventor and supplier of the Tiger Advantage, an embosser which produces tactile graphs, charts, maps, pictures, and so on at twenty dots per inch on tractor-feed Braille paper. Because the Tiger Advantage embosser comes equipped with printer-driver software that interfaces with Windows, the user may print directly to the embosser from any application. Tiger Advantage also has its own translation software; it will not print directly from Duxbury. Because its small buffer would not be suitable for holding more than about fifty Braille pages of text at a time, it is more suitable for graphics than for text. The Tiger Advantage is one of the quietest printers available, and the Braille quality is up to an acceptable standard if the punch-force level is set to seven or greater. ViewPlus Technologies has a knowledgeable and friendly technical support department.
IBTC Testing Procedure
We used the same test file first used by David Andrews, past director of the IBTC, for his study, "How Fast Is It Really?" published in the November 1996 Braille Monitor. Since then several newer embossers have been added, and some, which can no longer be purchased, have been removed. Our new data below will show any differences between our results and those currently published by the manufacturers. Manufacturers produce test results based on uniform lines of Braille across a page (commonly all words of equal length and all lines of equal length). In contrast, our testing procedure mimicked a real-life printing job. We believe that our results are better indicators of the true capacity of the embossers we tested.
The test file was translated into Grade II Braille. To simulate a real-life print job, we made sure to use a test file containing various formats, such as straight text, centered and right-justified lines, regular and hanging paragraphs, two columns, lines of dots, table-of-contents guide dots, Braille and print page numbering, full and partially blank pages, and more.
We also used standard embosser setup parameters that have been widely adopted by Braille producers throughout this country. For the embossers that can handle 11.5-by-11-inch paper and can print up to forty-four characters per line on twenty-seven lines per page, we programmed the embossers to print forty characters per line on twenty-five lines per page. However, not all embossers can accommodate that wide a page. For embossers that can handle only 8.5-by-11-inch paper and print up to thirty-four characters per line, we programmed the embossers to print thirty-two characters per line on twenty-five lines per page. For each embosser the timer started at the same instant as the enter key was pressed. The timer was stopped promptly when each embosser ceased embossing.
Reading the Chart
Now we can get to the heart of the matter. The test results are alphabetical by name of embosser. Data are separated by semicolons and listed in this order: name of embosser, manufacturer's rated speed, IBTC's rated speed (both figures given in characters per second, CPS), percent of variance, and price of the embosser. The percent of variance was found by calculating the difference between an IBTC test score and a manufacture's stated claim. For example, in the first case the variance is 47 percent, which means that our test showed this embosser was 47 percent slower than the manufacturer said it would be. (In our view a variance of plus or minus 5 percent is insignificant.)

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Perkins smart braillers

12/6/2018

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The SMART Brailler® is an early learning tool designed to promote an interactive educational experience between students, teachers and parents by displaying, vocalizing, and brailling what a student types.
Available Colors: Midnight Blue, Raspberry, (Blue available at APH only)
Available Languages: Unified English Braille, English, UK English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Polish, Turkish, Arabic and Portuguese
For more product information, such as specifications, product benefits, manuals, FAQs, and care instructions, visit our product overview page.

Truly a great product for teachers and parents to get immediate feedback and learning opportunities like games .

The SMART Brailler® is an early learning tool designed to promote an interactive educational experience between students, teachers and parents by displaying, vocalizing, and brailling what a student types.
Available Colors: Midnight Blue, Raspberry, (Blue available at APH only)
Available Languages: Unified English Braille, English, UK English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Polish, Turkish, Arabic and Portuguese
For more product information, such as specifications, product benefits, manuals, FAQs, and care instructions, visit our product overview page.
Not sure how this machine differs from our other braillers? Review our product comparison guide.

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Overveiw of Technology from Texas School for the Blind

12/6/2018

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Overview of Technology for Visually Impaired and Blind Students

  • Large Print Access
  • Speech Access
  • Braille Access
  • Scanned Material Access
Large Print Access Screen Magnification SoftwareZoomText- a family of products (ZoomText, ZoomText Plus, and ZoomText Xtra!); magnifies text and graphics programs. Magnify the full screen, a portion of the screen or a single line at a time. Three built-in fonts provide smooth-edged characters at any magnification. Simple pop-up menus give you instant access to all of ZoomText's features. Magnification levels from 2x to 16x ; three smooth-edged fonts available in all powers; zoom by full-screen, single line, partial-screen or moving lens; scroll, move, size and view the magnified window; track on cursor, mouse and menu bar activity; edge, center and full-window justifications; review mode smoothly pans in all directions at adjustable speeds; wrap lines of text within a zoom window; magnified pop-up menus and hotkey user interface; Configuration files for saving user preference. ZoomText Xtra! Consists of Level 1, which is the most advanced screen magnifier on the market! Level 2 offers a fully integrated magnifier and screen reader designed specifically for the low-vision computer user. Level 3, which is still under development, will add scanning, OCR, form-filling and printing. ZoomText Xtra! incorporates your windows sound card to utilize the speech functions.
InLARGE- (tm) is a screen magnification software package for low vision and learning disabled Macintosh users. The program features the ability to enlarge any portion of the screen from 2 to 16 times, automatic scanning, a crosshairs option for easy cursor location, the ability to invert the screen to white on black, horizontal and vertical image stretching, and a control panel interface. InLARGE is available for all Macintosh and Power Macintosh computers. This program enlarges areas of the screen, full screen, or user created areas of the screen. It will also invert the colors on screen; utilizes a scanning, panning, tracking, hotkeys and advanced options.
Lunar - Lunar is the world's leading screen magnification program for visually impaired computer users.  It has a number of advanced features to help you manage the enlarged screen more efficiently. Magnification from 2x to 32x with five different viewing modes. Image smoothing for clear text and graphics at any size.  Change screen colors with easy to use TV-style sliders. Hooked areas enable you to keep a particular area of the screen permanently displayed. This allows you to keep an eye on important on-screen information, such as the page number in a word processor, or the current cell coordinates in a spreadsheet.
CCTV and Magnification Scanning SystemsCCTV- "A closed-circuit television (CCTV) system uses a stand-mounted or hand-held video camera to project a magnified image onto a video monitor or a television (TV) screen" (from AFB information sheet). A CCTV includes the following basic features: video camera with zoom lens (hand-held or stand); monitor or television (attached camera or external); provide enlarged image of material under camera; magnification range of 2X to 60X+; switchable polarity (black text/white background or white text/black background); controls for focus, magnification, brightness, contrast; X-Y viewing table for easy material movement; variety of monitor sizes (5 inches to 20+ inches); black and white camera with color monitor (allows user selectable foreground and background colors); color camera with color monitor (view full color enlarged images); controls for foreground and background color, split image, color or b/w presentation; line markers or windowing (horizontal and/or vertical screen masking that provides a user selectable viewing window for reading); motorized viewing table
Types of CCTVs
  • hand-held camera connected to a monitor or TV
    • Elite - Achrontech
    • MagniCam - Innovations
    • OVAC 200 & 210 portable
    • MousCam - Vision Technology
    • Big Picture - APH
    • OVAC Vision-Aide electronic magnifier - information, specifications, pricing, pictures of desktop that use a standard television as a monitor.
  • self-contained portables
    • Passport - Optelec
    • TravelX - Achrontech
  • stand-alone units
    • Humanware Low Vision Products - homepage for the ClearView family of CCTVs
    • Optelec, CCTV - information about Spectrum, 20/20, and Passport CCTVs
    • Pulse Data ViewPoint
    • Pulse Data SmartView
    • Outlook - desktop CCTV from Xerox
  • camera units which share a computer's monitor
    • ViewPoint VGA - HumanWare
    • Clearview VGA - HumanWare
    • Spectrum SVGA - Optelec
  • computer/scanner based text magnification
    • Omni 3000 - scanner based reading system, that can also magnify text.
    • JBliss Imaging Systems - the Versatile Image Processor, computer based scanning solution for text magnification. Can also read the information back to you.
    • VisAbility - from AI Squared, scanner based text magnification
Speech AccessTalking Word ProcessorsIntellitalk- Talking word processing program. Allows student to hear the letter, word, sentence or phrase as it is entered into the computer. Available for both the Macintosh and Windows 3.1, 95 computer operating system. The Pull down menus also has speech output. Student can choose background and font colors.
Write: OUTLOUD- similar to Intellitalk. Allows the student to set background and font colors, and then save the configuration (will look the same overtime).
Speech synthesizersHardware versions- can be internal card devices or external serial devices; allow specialized software programs to integrate speech output. Depending on the software program used to read the screen, the synthesizers can work in the DOS, Win 3.x, or Win 95 environment. (Very rarely ever used).
  • Artic SynPhonix
  • Accent PC, SA
  • Sounding Board
  • DECtalk
  • DoubleTalk
  • Keynote GOLD
Software versions- works in the Windows 95/98 environment with a SoundBlaster compatible sound card. If the sound card is used with a screen reading software program, WAV files will not play.
  • AT&T Natural Voices
  • DECaccess 32
  • Eloquence
  • Microsoft SDK
Screen Review SoftwareJAWS- stands for Job Access with Speech. JAWS for Windows offers all the features that made JAWS for DOS so popular, plus many more. JFW incorporates such features as Smart Screen Technology; the helpful Wizards; a bitmap recognizer; logical, easy-to-use speech pad; various braille displays support. Smart Screen is the hands-off screen reading technology that allows JFW to speak any program automatically. It intelligently looks at the screen and determines what to speak so unfamiliar applications can be used immediately. Menus, dialog boxes and HELP files are spoken without the need for user setup. JFW announces each time a new window is opened or closed, and whenever it gets the focus. JFW uses two cursors. The PC cursor tells you where you are typing on the screen, menu item selected, etc. The JFW cursor acts like the Mouse cursor. It roams around the screen like a person’s eyes, going and seeing where the PC cursor cannot go.
WindowEyes- Window-Eyes was designed to add voice access to Windows 95/98. Window-Eyes is a stand-alone Windows application which gives you total control over what you hear, when you hear it, and how you hear it. Since Window-Eyes is a stand-alone Windows screen reader, it does not require a particular DOS screen reader. This means you can continue to use your existing DOS screen reader while executing DOS programs and Window-Eyes while executing Windows programs. However, Vocal-Eyes users will appreciate the consistent design used throughout Window-Eyes. Many of the familiar and powerful features of Vocal-Eyes can be found in Window-Eyes. There is no longer a need for a hardware synthesizer, as Window-Eyes uses the Microsoft SDK.
Braille AccessBraille Translation SoftwareMore and more people want an ever-greater variety of materials in braille. In North America, Grade 2 braille is the standard. It includes many contracted or abbreviated words. To produce Grade 2 braille, a translation and formatting program must be used in conjunction with most braille embossers (braille printers).
Braille2000 - Braille editing tool that handles all kinds of direct entry Braille tasks with automated page layouts to aid the production of literary, textbook, and music Braille.
Duxbury- is Grade 2 braille editing and translation software. It is available in versions for DOS, Windows and Macintosh computers. Duxbury is easy to use and is compatible with speech and braille output. It supports dozens of word processors through highly accurate ASCII and WordPerfect import bridges. It also supports a number of foreign languages.
Megadots- is a flexible and intuitive MS DOS word processor with software magic that liberates you from the complexities of braille and computers. MegaDots allows you to create, edit and format text and to perform all the basic functions of a standard word processor. The MegaDots style system lets you give one simple command to format each different kind of paragraph for print and Grade 2 braille. It is compatible with speech and braille output.
NFB-Trans- freeware translation program available from NFB. Program and program support can be found on their website at www.nfb.org. DOS based.
Braille Embosserssimply a printer whose output is braille instead of print. Can be used with any computer using a braille translation software program. What follows is an alphabetical list of all the tested embossers and what they did. The "CPS" acronym stands for "characters per second" and "IBTC" stands for the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind."
  • Braille Blazer
  • Braillo
  • Everest
  • Index Basic
  • Juliet
  • Marathon
  • Romeo RB-40
  • Thomas
  • ViewPlus
Braille DisplaysBraille readers can use Braille Terminals to navigate through Windows 3.x and 95, Windows NT, MS-DOS, IBM OS/2 and UNIX. These braille terminals can be used with a desktop PC or a laptop. They utilize what is called refreshable braille cells to allow the computer screen to be read line by line in braille.
  • Braille Wave
  • Braille Connedt
  • Brilliant
  • Focus
  • Braillex
Portable Devices
  • PacMate BNS or VoiceNote BT- has a braille keyboard layout and speech output.
  • BrailleNote BT or PacMate BX - has a braille keyboard, speech output and refreshable braille.
  • Braille Wave - braille keyboard, refershable braille.
  • PaceMate TNS or VoiceNote QT - have a Qwerty keyboard and speech output.
  • PaceMate QX or BrailleNote QT - has a Qwerty keyboard layout, speech output, and refreshable braille..
  • Mountbatten- braille keyboard; speech, and paper braille output.
All of the above- you can write, review and edit data, keep a virtual address book, and store many pages of Braille or print. Files stored in flash memory can be read but not changed, although you can move files back and forth between the two types of memory if you wish. Access information like time, date and appointments throughout the day as you please. Switch between two different languages at the touch of a key. Use it as the speech synthesizer for your computer. Create output in Braille or print. With a modem, go on-line to send and receive e-mail, and surf the Internet. A regular ink-printer will produce typewritten output when you use the built-in Braille-to-print translation feature (with Braille 'n Speak, Braille Lite, Braille Companion, or Aria).
  • ErgoBraille- has a braille keyboard, some function keys, and speech output.
  • BrailleDesk- has a braille keyboard, all function keys, numeric keypad, and speech output.
  • SQWERT- has a Qwerty keyboard, some function keys, and speech output.
  • TransType- has a Qwerty keyboard, all function keys, numeric keypad, and speech output.
All of the above- Use as a Synthesizer & a Notetaker simultaneously without switching modes. Grade-2 Back Translator & computer braille mode. Standard RS-232 with DB-9 connector uses standard PC cables. PC-File Transfer software is built into the Notetaker, serial cable included. Internal 2" full range mylar speaker. Clean sounding audio amplifier with software controlled Tone and Volume. CALCULATOR. DateBook Reminder Alarms (with Auto Power-Up). Talking Clock with 10 Alarms that Auto Power-up and Speak Your Messages. Ultimate accuracy in Stopwatch / Timer. Rechargeable NiCad Battery (Optional Removable Pack with Quick Charge Pod). RESPONSIVE, ACCURATE & HIGH SPEED Artic Speech (our Trademark) Two Power-Up modes: RESUME (Last Task) or EXPRESS (to Editor) Powerful Editor with familiar computer style features. Automatic file sizing as you work. Instant text insert at cursor. Search & Replace, etc. Menus and Hot Keys. High Quality Keyboard. 1 Mega Byte Flash ROM for system programs and Power Safe files storage. Over 700,000 bytes of Flash File Storage (Safe for 10+ years without power). Save a large number of files (1 - 2,000 depending upon average size). Your data is packed back to back without any wasted blocks of memory! 256K System area can be user updated from a PC,.
Privacy and Anti-theft features (Owner ID can be branded into ROM).
Scanned Material AccessOpen Book - Open Book uses a scanner to take a picture of the page, which it sends it to your PC, translates the picture into understandable text, and then speaks the text aloud or outputs to Braille. You can scan and read a page in less than a minute: in English or in more than a dozen other languages. An Open Book gives you flexible, easy scanning. If your page is on the scanner sideways or upside down -- Open Book can read it anyway. Open Book is ideal for scanning books, magazines, and business mail. Or, you can partner your flatbed scanner with an automatic document feeder to read multiple pages quickly and easily. Open Book's flexible interface and detailed on-line Help makes it easy to start reading, using just one key.
Expert Reader- The new, powerful, and easy-to-use stand-alone reading machine from Xerox. Expert Reader combines state-of-the-art reading machine technology, the simplicity of an integrated appliance, and revolutionary price performance. Expert Reader, the newest addition to the Xerox Adaptive Products line of fully integrated reading machines, offers improved levels of speed, accuracy, and ease of use.
Kurzweil 1000- software that works on your personal computer and a scanner to convert the printed word into speech. It has the ability to find key words or phrases within a document, editing of scanned text, magnification of scanned documents to accommodate users with visual impairments, and the ability to specify unlimited bookmarks within a document. Other unique features include: a 175,000 word talking dictionary; the ability to insert a scanned page within a document, and the added convenience of background scanning which allows users to scan while working within another application. Additional features include highly accurate optical character recognition (OCR), the clearest sounding synthetic speech available, and the ability to decipher multi-column text accurately.
page author: Sharon Nichols - nichols_s@tsbvi.edu


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Managing your medicine

12/6/2018

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Medication Management, Health Monitoring, and Fitness Tracking Tools for People Who Are Blind or Visually ImpairedBy Bill Holton, AccessWorld Correspondent
Between KNFB Reader and the other apps and smartphone services we have mentioned in these guides, it’s possible to identify nearly anything you need to know about or read. One possible exception is your prescription bottles. You can use FaceTime, Skype, or Be My Eyes to get sighted help identifying your various medicines and reviewing the dosage schedule, side effects, and other information, but none of the automatic apps will do this. Even the KNFB Reader can only occasionally turn the printed label on a small, highly curved pill bottle into readable text. There are a variety of solutions for prescription access, each with advantages and disadvantages for each. Along with the information included in this guide, refer to Products and Devices to Help You Identify Your Medications on VisionAware for further discussion.

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Cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.

12/6/2018

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The Mobile Revolutionby Bill Holton, AccessWorld Correspondent
If you've ever watched an episode of Star Trek, you will doubtless recall how the crew of the Starship Enterprise was able to keep in touch with each other by means of a small device, called a communicator, attached to their uniforms, and to access data and a galaxy of other information via hand-held tricorders. In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, this was far-in-the-future, pipedream, science-fiction stuff. But in the early 90s, science fiction started becoming reality with the introduction of mobile phones. By the early 2000s, we regularly communicated on the go using Short Message Service (SMS) text messages, and soon e-mail and Web browsing capabilities were added to our cell phones, which we dubbed "smartphones."
Over the past several years the number of smartphone users has exploded. The capabilities of these devices have doubled and redoubled, so that today we can carry a device in our pocket that has more processing power and memory storage than that possessed by the world's fastest supercomputers of just a few decades ago. Today you can check your e-mail, the weather forecast, or a stock quote on your mobile device. Want to know which movie won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1973? Speak to your smartphone and ask the question, from anywhere, and in a second or so you'll have the answer: The Sting, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Want to watch it? Use your smartphone to log onto Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, or another online video streaming service and you can watch it right on your phone. You could also choose to view The Sting on a touch tablet like the iPad, which includes most of the capabilities and features of a smartphone with a larger display.
If you've used a smartphone these past several years, you already know that a great deal of voice command capabilities come built in to most current models, so you can verbally instruct your smartphone to "Call my wife," or "Read my last text message." In addition, the three major smartphone platforms—Apple iOS, Google Android, and Microsoft Windows Phone—all include built-in screen readers similar to those that allow you to use your PC or Mac computer with little or even no vision. So, now you can read a webpage, compose an e-mail, or use your phone's GPS function to help you find the nearest coffee shop.
Most smartphones have replaced a majority of their physical buttons and other controls with visual icons that appear on a smooth glass touchscreen. You use a finger to select and activate these icons, and to enter phone numbers, messages, and other text via visual representations of keyboards and number pads. At first glance, so to speak, a touchscreen would appear to present insurmountable difficulties for those with visual impairments. You may be saying to yourself, "On my home phone I can still feel my way across, up, and down the keypad to dial a number. How can I find the right number on a flat piece of glass?"
This guide will show you exactly how this is possible. By the time you finish, you will feel empowered to use your smartphone in new ways or to purchase your first smartphone and enjoy a world of data and communications you can carry with you everywhere.
First we'll take a look at some new technology for an old friend—that trusty clamshell or candy-bar style feature phone.
Using a Feature Phone with a Visual Impairment or BlindnessSome of us want a mobile phone to function primarily as a phone, giving us the ability to simply make or answer calls on the go. Some people may not be able to, or may not want to, afford the extra cost of a wireless data connection, which nearly all mobile phone companies insist upon in order to use any smartphone model. It is still possible to get a simple phone that will make and receive phone calls without all of the bells and whistles associated with a smartphone. These types of devices are called feature phones, and usually offer the ability to make and receive phone calls and send and receive SMS text messages. Most feature phones come in one of two configurations:
  1. The flip or clamshell feature phone: these phones fold in half like a makeup compact and include a display screen on one half and a regular pushbutton dial pad on the other.
  2. The candy-bar feature phone: these phones are usually longer and slimmer than flip phones, with the screen and dial pad on the same face. Some candy-bar phones also include a slide-out pushbutton keyboard that allows you to type faster than if you were to use the number pad.
Many feature phones include at least some accessibility controls designed to accommodate the needs of those with visual impairments. For some manufacturers these accommodations are limited to raised dots placed on the 5 number key to help orient your fingers on the keypad, and perhaps a few rudimentary voice commands such as "Call home" or "What time is it?"
Accessible Feature Phones for People with Visual ImpairmentsAt the time of this guide's publication, three feature phones stood out for their accessibility.
The Kyocera KonaOffered by Sprint/T-Mobile, the Kona flip phone is also available either with or without a contract. Read a review of the Kyocera Kona in AFB AccessWorld.
The Kyocera VerveOffered by Sprint/T-Mobile, the Verve candy-bar style phone is also available either with or without a contract. The Verve offers a slide out keyboard for those who wish to text frequently with accessibility. Read a review of the Kyocera Verve in AFB AccessWorld.
The Odin VIThe Odin VI from Odin Mobile, a third-party cell provider that specializes in serving those with visual impairments, is a candy-bar style phone with a slide-out keypad. Read a review of the Odin VI in AFB AccessWorld.
Feature Phone Accessibility: Voice GuidanceEach of the three phones mentioned above includes a voice guide that can be turned on via the phone's Settings menu. You will likely need sighted help for the initial setup, but after that the phone will speak every time you turn it on.
At first you may find the voice a bit mechanical and difficult to understand. Fear not. You can adjust the speed of the voice and its tone, and after a short time you will grow so accustomed to the speech, you will likely decide to increase its speed.
With your phone's voice guide enabled, you will be able to hear phone numbers as you dial them, and caller ID for incoming calls will be voiced aloud as well. You will be able to add names and phone numbers to your contact list for quicker dialing, and to use the built-in calendar to keep track of appointments.
The full-featured voice guides in these phones will read your text messages and allow you to compose and send outgoing messages.
Because the world is moving toward smartphones with always-on data connections, as accessible as the accessible feature phones mentioned above are, it is likely that they represent the end of the line. Even if you decide that a feature phone will suit your needs completely, we encourage you to read on. When you learn what's possible, you may decide that you are ready, willing, and—most exciting of all—able to take the plunge and begin using a touchscreen smartphone or tablet.

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Resource Guide

12/6/2018

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https://qiat.org/docs/resourcebank/TEBO_VI_Resource_Guide.pdf


Students with visual impairments face unique challenges in the educational environment. Not only must they be able to access text information across all curricular areas, but they also need to be able to participate fully in instruction that is often rich with visual content. Assistive technology is one way of supporting them in that process.
Consideration of assistive technology by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team is required for all students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and when deemed appropriate, it must be provided and supported by the local education agency. This is to ensure that students with disabilities have the tools necessary to fully access and participate in the curriculum, with the greatest possible level of independence. Even more important, use of assistive technology helps prepare students for independent living, vocational pursuits, or higher education following graduation from high school!
"Assistive technology" refers to a range of tools, devices, and strategies that allow a student to accomplish a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or would have difficulty accomplishing effectively. Assistive technology can be simple or complex. Examples of low tech tools for students with visual impairments might include enlarged text or raised line paper, while high tech tools may encompass digital tools that "read" to the student, connect to a braille display, or even incorporate GPS.
The term "visual impairment" describes a broad range of visual abilities and needs. Because each child is unique, what works well for one student may not work well for another. Selection of assistive technology should be the result of a team process that takes into consideration feedback from family, educators, paraprofessionals, and the student. It is important to remember that "high-tech" is not always the best solution for a student. Selected tools should reflect the student’s unique strengths and needs, the activities he needs to be able to accomplish, and the environment in which he will be working. A student’s need for assistive technology will likely change and evolve throughout his or her education, and in most cases, no single tool will meet all of a student’s needs.
The purpose of this resource guide is to provide an introduction to the types of assistive technology that may benefit students with visual impairments. Specific products and their features are not described here. Instead, a general overview of tools will help raise your awareness so that you are able to determine what tools to investigate further. A list of additional resources and vendors is provided at the end of this guide if you’d like to learn more. There is also a glossary of terms if you are unfamiliar with some of the terminology related to assistive technology and visual impairments.


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December 06th, 2018

12/6/2018

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Using a Computer with a Visual Impairment: A Beginner's Guide to Computer AccessibilityBy Bill Holton
Computer Access for People Who Are Blind or Have Low VisionFindings from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Preliminary Report established that an estimated 20.6 million adult Americans (or nearly 10% of all adult Americans) reported they either "have trouble" seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, or that they are blind or unable to see at all.
Of course if you (or a loved one) have recently experienced profound vision loss, these numbers are little more than mere statistics. We mention them here for one reason: to assure you that you are not alone. Vast resources—human, technical, medical, and rehabilitative—stand ready to assist you in regaining your independence, resuming your career or starting a new one, and, most importantly, increasing your enjoyment of life, friends, and family.
In this section we will focus on the technical resources that are available to those with visual impairments. We’ll begin by describing one of the most profound technological achievements to have benefited sight-impaired individuals: the accessible personal computer.
This guide is organized into two main sections. The first section is for those with new visual impairments who are brand new to computers. There, we talk about all of the ways in which computers are helpful and useful, along with what to consider when purchasing a computer.
The second section is for those with recent visual impairment who already own, and have some experience using, a personal computer. There we discuss the main components of accessibility and lay the groundwork for a productive and happy computing experience.

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Technology Info.

12/4/2018

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Name:  Linda Lustig
 
Features key to the category
Features that differentiate devices within the category
Characteristics of a task that make this tool a good fit
Personal characteristics that are a good match
Other notes for yourself, might want to include vendor links here

Refreshable braille display
Does the job of display and keyboard – no ‘guts’
Needs a screen reader running to work
Length of the display (in braille cells)
Connection type (bluetooth or cord)
Which screen readers can run it
 
40 cells for high school / college, others can get by on 20
Computer access
(esp needing detail spelling, clickable text websites such as elearning, numeric entry on spreadsheets, computer in quiet environments)
Braille is or will be primary reading medium
 
Tactile learner
Humanware
Freedom scientific
HIMS
 
Contact LIONS for help funding for families, or have school purchase (but usually not kid’s to keep then)

Braille notetaker
Generally small and portable, keyboard, refreshable braille display notes can be transferred to a computer for storage printed in braille or print
Have word processors
6key braille keyboard or standard or both  Some have calendars, calculators or clocks
Some have speech program with braille input
Some have Bluetooth so they can be used with iphones and ipads,
Book readers, do homework, find directions, record lectures and listen to podcasts.
This tool is designed for Visually Impaired students to take notes in classes  or professionals in meetings  It’s light weight and portability make this a great fit
This is a great option for students who are tech savvy or at least comfortable with technology.  I could see it working from middle school and up.
This item is a quota fund item. 
 

iOS braille apps
Turns IOS device into a braille writer  allow to text and use social media
instructs or helps with braille code  some are intended for students with vision to learn.  Some have games and can be used for small children  cost
Texting
Social media
Portable
Learning tool ease of use
Portability, ability to use to be more socially involved on media venues. 
Need to be aware of apps requirements.
Don’t assume they are easy to use.

Screen readers
Software program that  text is read .  All read text as it appears,   User command by pressing different combinations of keys
Style of the voices
Cost
Mechanics and supports
Ease of access.
Reading of text on computer screen  word processing, searching internet, social media use
Reading email….
Jaws is more technical
Dolphin is easier to use
You need ti research programs to fit users computer abilities, and needs of use.
Jaws is difficult to get good at using

Mountbatten/ smart braillers
Both braillers are similar in size
AC power
Both use 8.5 x11 inches
Both have programs for young learners
Both UEB
Mountbatten develops awareness of Braille symbols by using audio response.
Ergonomic keyboard facilitates literacy
Simple editing functions for correcting and erasing
Free software for PC
Smart brailler interfaces with Patterns program –
Head phone jack and volume control
Acapela Text to speech
Mechanical Braille Capabilities
sMultiple languages
 
price
 
Great for learning braille allows for parents and teachers to see real time what is being brailled.
Self monitoring with braille to voice
Can work like manual brailler as well
 
 
fGreat for students of braille both children and adults.
Allows for greater interaction with parents and non braille readers for homework and leaning.
Engages in games and learning
Cost is really high 2000 range for smart brailler and 4000 for Mountbatten.

embossers
 All 120cps
Single sided printing
Vertical printing
Adjustable line spacing
Braille font 2.2,2.5,.3.2
100dpi
USB
WiFI
Network
Support mobile devices
Mac/ PC compatable
Does the model need to:
produce tactile graphics,
only text,
run fast, long, or unattended such as for producing textbooks
solenoids vs hammers
Creates standard and 8.5x11” embossing
Size and cost vary with intended use. 
School
Printers
Transcribers
Again use determines the type of embosser. 
Schools need to purchase models adequate for use.
Models need to be compatable with programs
Older model embossers are not set up for UEB
Embossers need to be maintained regularly in order to get best performance.  All papers do not emboss the same.

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