Article focuses on assistive technology (AT) applications that can be used for environmental control in the homes of people with visual disabilities. Three AT applications are highlighted: (1) PAC Mate from Freedom Scientific, (2) Elba from Papenmeier, and (3) the BrailleNote family of products from Pulse Data, Incorporated. The PAC Mate is a personal digital assistant that utilizes Bluetooth and Ethernet wireless networks, which allow them to connect to and control devices that are supported with drivers for the Microsoft Pocket PC Platform. The Elba is another portable device that runs on the GNU/Linux operating system. Thus, the device can control applications that run on this platform. BrailleNote devices can control some smart devices so long as communication requires only Ethernet. The products are based on the KeySoft proprietary software system, and work with other devices manufactured by Pulse Data. A technological evaluation of the process of environmental control with these devices is presented.

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