A Beginner's Guide to Access Technology for Blind Students: Part One
By Booth, Steve; Future Reflections, Vol. 25, No. 1Publication Date: Winter/Spring 2006
Article is the first in a three-part series, and provides parents of children with visual disabilities with an overview of basic computer, braille, and talking technology. In order for students who are blind to gain full access to a personal computer, a screen access program such as JAWS for Windows or Window-Eyes from GW Micro is necessary. This program provides synthesized speech output as the user views the screen or enters data. A braille embosser or printer allows braille files that have been created via computer to be produced in hardcopy, while braille translation software such as the Duxbury Braille Translator and MegaDots must be installed before the Braille embosser begins to produce materials in braille. Braille notetakers are easy-to-use personal organizers that allow people who are familiar with braille to create documents on a convenient platform. Examples include the BrailleNote from HumanWare and the Pac Mate from Freedom Scientific.
Assistive Products Discussed: PAC MATE BNS
PAC MATE TNS
DUXBURY BRAILLE TRANSLATOR FOR THE APPLE MACINTOSH (DBT MAC)
MEGADOTS
WINDOW-EYES PROFESSIONAL
DUXBURY BRAILLE TRANSLATOR FOR WINDOWS (DBT WIN)
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
BRAILLENOTE MPOWER BT 32
BRAILLENOTE MPOWER BT 18
BRAILLENOTE PK
Published by: National Federation of the Blind (Website:http://www.nfb.org)
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (Web Site: http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Parents_and_Teachers.asp )
Link to text: http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr21/fr06ws12.htm
