Technology for Students With Vision Impairments: An Overview
Assessment and Training
Key Commands
Keyboarding
Screen Access
Large Cursors
Enlarging and Voice Options
Researching Technology
Technologies for Students with Vision Impairment and Other Disabilities
Reference Materials
Using The Computer for Mathematics
Assessment and Training
Desktalk: Adaptive Technology for the Vision Impaired
This local company offers training and reference materials for people with a vision impairment. Desktalk has published a set of books with Key Commands for popular Microsoft applications which are available in alternative format. (Phone 03 9532 4166). Email:desktalk@netspace.net.au
Freedom Scientific Training Materials -JAWS, MAGic, PAC Mate, WYNN.
Instant Access to Braille - Online Braillenote tutorials from the Center for Assistive Technology
Resource Guide for Individuals with Visual Difficulties and Impairments
Provided by Microsoft this site has tutorials and information about how to make Windows Vista and other Microsoft products accessible for consumers with vision impairments.
Technology Assessment Checklist For Students with Visual Impairments - Texas School for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Vision Australia: Training
Vision Australia offers a range of accredited training and education programs to benefit: people who are blind or vision impaired and those who support and/or teach people who are blind or vision impaired.
Windows Training - The Access Technology Institute provides online training to people who are blind or vision impaired in the following areas: Windows XP, Advanced Window-eyes, Advanced Jaws for Windows, ZoomText, The Internet with Window-Eyes, The Internet with Jaws for Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word.
TopKey Commands
JAWS Training Materials-Freedom Scientific
JAWS Shortcuts word document-SVRC
JAWS Shortcuts audio mp3-SVRC
Keyboard Shortcuts MS Windows
PowerPoint Shortcuts word document
More Cheat Sheets -SVRC
Desktalk: also has resources for learning key commands
MAC OS X - Spoken Interface Apple Mac OS X has an interface which will allow commands, content, menus etc. to be spoken and accessed by key commands.
TopJAWs Friendly Talking Typing Programs
Typeability
Tyeability works with JAWs or MAGIC software and has demo software available to try from the website.To download a trial version of TypeAbility 3.0.31 for JAWS or TypeAbility 3.0.27 for MAGic go to: http://www.yesaccessible.com/typeability.html
I t is available here in Australia from T&T Consultancy in Sydney. Please contact Scott Erichsen if you would like to know more. His email address is:
scott.erichsen@tandt-consultancy.com.au
A single user licence for TypeAbility is $150 including delivery.Other Typing Programs
TTAPS http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/ict/software/s4e/TTAPS.htm
Typequickhttp://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/ict/software/s4e/type_quick.htm
PC Talking Typing Tutor
Review and further details for TTAPS
Talking Typing Teacher -fully voiced typing programme, voices commands keys such as alt, control, escape etc. Uses mostly human voice.
Tactus Keyboard
The Tactus Keyboard has tactile ridges on the keys to help students orientated their fingers on the keyboard. The TACTUS Keyboard is valuable for children who wish to learn to touch-type and for people with visual impairments. TACTUS does not require any software and simply plugs into the computer to replace the existing keyboard. For more information contact: E-mail: alberto@tactuskeyboard.com
AESOP
Aesop is compact lightweight unit which assists anyone and especially blind or low vision users to easily learn touch typing. It connects to a standard computer keyboard and as each key or key combination is pressed Aesop announces the letters in a clear human quality voice.
Keystick
Colored sticky letters for the keyboard. Has large white lower case letters with colored background. From Advanced Software 5 packs $14.25 10 packs $21.45
Phone1800 651 914
TopImproving Screen Access
Most operating systems have accessibility options which offer enlargement of the print, icons, scroll bars and menus on the screen. The background colors of the screen can also be changed. The following links gives directions for changing the settings for various versions of Microsoft products including Windows XP, Word 2002, Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook
Microsoft Accessibility: Resource Guide for Individuals with Visual Difficulties and Impairments
Improving Screen Access in the Windows Environment
Computer Access - Improved Access to the Windows Environment
TopLarge Cursors
Web sites which have slightly larger cursors for downloading include:
Big Bold Cursors FREE 16 colors used to create cursors. Download Size: 10 k
Biggy-demo available
Large Color Cursors-freeware
How to download and install large color cursor software.
Large Pointers 1.0
Philip's Large Coloured Cursors
Pinpoint - cursor enhancement software for Macs
TopEnlarging and Voice Options
If you have tried all the configurations on the computer and still need additional enlargement or voice output there are several commerically available products to try. Some companies allow you to try before you buy! Many companies offer demonstration software.
Jaws for Windows. Screen reading software.
Can download a demo version which runs for 40 minutes.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/
NVDA: Free Screen Reader for PC
Developed by a group of young programmers, NVDA is a free and open source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows Operating System. This software can enable blind or vision impaired people to access computers running Windows, for no more cost than a sighted person.
ReadPlease
Free text-to-speech software available for download. http://www.readplease.com
ZoomText Magnification and screen reading software.
Get the most recent version of ZoomText, the demonstration version allows 30 days to try the software.
TopResearchingTechnology
The SVRC has another web site dedicated to technology for students who are blind or vision impaired at
Assistive Technology for Students with Vision Impairments
TopTechnologies: for students with vision impairment and other disabilities
AbilityHub
A good selection of information about technology for all disability groups
http://www.abilityhub.com/
Ability Technologies
Computer services for people with special needs. Keyboards, pointing devices, special input devices, voice recognition.
Assist-IT Magnification Freeware. Downloads to support learners with additional needs providing independent access to the computer.
Intellitools
Alternative keyboard devices and software. Download overlays to use with Intellitools products.
RJ Cooper
Demos available for Mac and Windows.
Soundbeam - Soundbeam is an award-winning device which uses sensor technology to translate body movement into digitally generated sound and image.
Special Needs Resource
Lots of articles and resources available from this page.
http://www.edbydesign.com/specneedsres/index.html
TechnoAbility
http://www.technoability.net select "Holly's page"
TopReference Materials
School Web Site Accessibility
Tutorial describing aspects of web page accessibility for people with disabilities. Has examples of good and bad practice.
Accessibility in Distance Education
The Accessibility in Distance Education (ADE) Web site focuses on helping faculty develop accessible online learning materials for people with disabilities. It is divided into five major sections, targeting common accessibility questions.Using The Computer for Mathematics
Using Your Computer For Mathematics
An article which describes how the computer can be used to produce mathematics.
MathType
This is a software programme for mathematical notation. A demo version of the programme is available from Edsoft.
Graphics Calculators-linking to computer
Graphing Talking Calculator
Curriculum -see also Mathematics section on our Curriculum Page
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Web page editor Lyn Robinson. Last updated May 2008 Copyright/disclaimer