Assistive Technology: Low Vision Doesn’t Mean Low-Tech
By Gearlog,Publication Date: May 19, 2009
Review of assistive technology products for blind or visually impaired users. (1) Braille Sense Plus, a personal digital assistant (PDA) which lets users input text via a Perkins keyboard of six keys that correspond to the six Braille dots plus Space, Backspace, and Line Space keys. The device then outputs messages via synthesized speech or its 32-cell Braille pad. The Braille Sense Plus provides access to e-mail, word processing, an address manager, and a media player. A smaller version, the Voice Sense, is available without the Braille pad. (2) The Remote Infrared Audible Signage System (RIAS), which guides visually impaired people to landmarks using transmitters of infrared signals. A handheld receiver picks up and decodes the signals into voice messages advising the user of what is nearby, such as crosswalks, bus stops, or public telephones. The system is installed in the city of San Francisco, with test projects throughout the rest of the world. (3) Quicklook Focus Portable Video Magnifier, which has an LCD screen displaying nine levels of magnification, from 3X to 18X. It features near-distance focus, and color, black-and-white, and reverse-image display options. (4) JAWS (Job Access With Speech) computer screen-reading program, which reads aloud programs such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Adobe Acrobat Reader; and Window-Eyes, a screen reader for Microsoft Windows applications.
Assistive Products Discussed: QUICKLOOK CLASSIC
TALKING SIGNS
WINDOW-EYES PROFESSIONAL
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
BRAILLE SENSE
VOICE SENSE
BRAILLE SENSE PLUS
QUICKLOOK FOCUS
Published by: Ziff Davis Media Inc. (Website:http://www.ziffdavis.com)
Link to text: http://www.gearlog.com/2009/05/_luxury_puts_up_a.php
