Technology For The Blind

This really interests me! I want more info on this,but I cant find it...

theres not much info yet--technology like this is still very experimental, you probably won't find anything other than what you heard on the news

2009-06-07 20:35:10 by NasokaKewe

Google Tech Talks September 5, 2006 Serge Belongie Credits: Speaker:Serge Belongie

the only one that comes to mind for me is voice recognition. the person speaks and the computer interprets what the person is saying and "writes" that down. The computer then can read back to the person what it has written for editing purposes.

2007-10-15 05:47:08 by JA

Price: $84.95

Tomorrow (June 1) is the anniversary of Helen Keller's death, which got me thinking about disabities and the Internet. There are already a number of assistive technology devices to help blind and deaf people use computers and access the Internet, but what do you think the future holds?

Well--as to current technology, I'm typing this using a combinedd magnifiication/voice synthesizer! :)

For persons with visual impairments, there's really two issues. One is compliance. Many websites continue to ignore the laws regarding accessibility--and that makes it difficult for disabled users. The laws are in place--the problem is lackluster enforcement on the part o f the federal agencies.

The other--specifically technical--is portable systems. I don't mean laptops--they work the same as desktops. However, many persons with disabilities (including those with impaired motion as well as vision) cannot use the various cellphones, blackberrys, etc. First of all, they hare two small--and manufacturers are reluctent to market adaptend versions with large keys, readouts, etc. When you add in trying to use such a device w/o being able to see prompts adnd menus, these gadgets are all but worthless.

That's particularly troubling for older persons. Studies have shown that a cellphone can be an invaluable assistive device--and a lifeline--for the aging population. But many are all but denied this option bcause there are no adaptive versions available.

For the hearing impaired, basic access is obviously not a problem. However, as voice input/output become more common, that is beginning to change. One of the more exciting efforts is research that can translate speech into signed English into mages on the computer screen (this may also apply toASL as well, but since it is a completely different language, not an analogue of English, that may take a lot longer).

Another technology--already available--are interpretive software software packages that can read scanned documents (e.g. PDF files) for blind users (this is handy for sightend users as well; such files can be saved as regular text/Word files). This is already becoming a common application among non-disabled users--one of many "crossover" technologies that sttarted as assistive technology and found wider applications.

2007-05-31 09:56:58 by Richard S - Y! Answers Team

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my friend teaches blind students and uses the Crammer abacus for math, a hot dot pen, braille, sticky wicks to help understand graphing

http://gamesutouch.com/hotdotsgames.htm< br /> http://www.exceptionalteaching.com/ (hot dots and pen source)

2008-04-23 04:59:47 by Rachel C

I am just listening to a BBC radio 4 broadcast where a blind man is talking about the differences the improvements in technology have made for blind people. Something I hadn't really thought of. When asked what he dislikes most about being blind he said the only thing is browsing in a bookshop. Isn't it strange, something we just take for granted? He talked about the mobile phone and announcements at evey station on train journeys, something that possibly irritates us but is such a help to him. I feel quite uplifted by his cheery attitude and will count my blessings a bit more in future.

you have just provoked my thinking. you are right that we take things for granted, i hadn't thouight about this subject in many years and i work with people with disabilities. technology is great and can help people in lots of ways, but now that you have me thinking about it it is the social contact and acceptance of people as other abled rather than disabled that we should be looking at and make a conscious effort to interact more with people.

2009-04-18 02:56:05 by Dismayed