Visually+Impaired

= **Tools for the Visually Impaired** =

Overview
====In the educational realm, those with visual impairments are categorized into 4 main groups. The categories are partially slighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind. Whatever the degree of visual impairment, there are assistive technologies that can aid students in their quest for education. In an attempt to best organize the plethora of assistive technologies available, I broke them down into two major categories:====

The first category serves individuals with partially slighted and low vision. The technologies include screen magnification, and screen readers. The second category serves individuals who are legally and totally blind. These technologies revolve around the use of braille.

Tools for the Partially Sighted and Low Vision

The Top Dog: The Intel Reader


The Intel Reader is one of the top assistive technologies available and is a highly acclaimed breakthrough for the visually impaired. __The reader is well renowned due to the fact that it feature all three main components that other technologies possess: screen magnification, audio reading, and portability.__

The Intel Reader contains a camera, which allows the user to photographically capture text. By holding the camera over a page of text and pressing the capture button, an individual can use the high resolution camera to store the entire page. Once the text is captured, the device converts the text to digital form. This allows for the audio playback as well as magnification. Furthermore, the device can be hooked up to a PC This gives the user the opportunity to simultaneously follow the audio of the book with enlarged text. The reader has the ability to hold large amounts of text, so the user can switch among different books. The following videos give greater detail into the opportunities that the device offers:

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There will always be proponents and opponents of emerging technology, as is the case with the Intel Reader. Following are a few reviews of the device:

Wall Street Journal - Discusses the potential difficulty of working the camera, the zoom feature option, the cost, and audio reading of 21st century words

IReaderReview - Details the features, technical specifications, positives, negatives, and give the device an overall grade.

PC Mag - Contemplates the device promoting inclusion of students with impairments, discusses rationale behind creation.

One of the obvious questions is what is the cost of the Intel Reader. The reader has a standard price of $1500.00. However, there are additional accessories needed. The capture station, the portable stand that helps to quickly capture text, runs about $400.00. The total of the two is $1900.00. To view other accessories, you can click here. To view a list of retailers, you can click here.

Desktop Magnification hardware/Software The Intel Reader can magnify text, read screens, and is portable. However, it is far from the only option for individuals with partially slighted and low vision. There are a number of desktop magnifiers that extremely useful to visually impaired students. __While these applications alone do not read screens, they are a very useful tool for the visually impaired that need enlarged text and that do not need a hand-held portable device.__

Topaz Desktop Video Magnifier



The Topaz Desktop Video Magnifier has sixteen different levels of magnification and can zoom in as much as 70x. There are 28 text and background options that customize the device for select eye conditions. Additionally, there is a new freeze frame feature. The Topaz prides itself on easy accessibility with large buttons and simply options. One of the other distinguishing characteristics is the mobility of the screen. The screen adjusts in height, tilt, and rotates 180 degrees. __By adjusting the screen in height, individuals can use the magnifier to write under the topaz. This ability to write is an option that even the Intel Reader do not offer.__ The price of the Topaz ranges from $1945 to $3195. The following video and article give additional information on the Topaz:

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Dr. Bill Takeshita Foundation - Discusses recent improvements and detailed option of the Freedom Scientific Topaz

Onyx Camera

It is important to understand that there is not one Onyx magnification camera. Rather, there are a group of cameras that offer different options. Still, all of the cameras have a lot in common. The cameras offer a close up view for reading and writing. The hand-held remote control features options such as brightness, contrast, auto-focus, and reading lines. Magnification ranges from 2x to 100x the original image. Also, Onyx saves settings so that individuals do not have to toggle with them upon each use of the device.

Unlike the Topaz. the Oxyx cameras have much mobility. __The material being magnified does not have to be placed directly under the Onxy camera. The camera can magnify material from across the room, which would be beneficial for inclusion students that have difficulty reading the white board and PowerPoints.__

The different types of Onxy cameras include..

1. The Onxy Swing Arm - Comes with stand, detachable, offers a degree of portability. The cost is $2195. 2. The Onyx Flexible Arm - Mounts to tables. The cost is $2195.

Both models can connect to TVs or Personal Computers. Following is a video and article which go into greater depth on the Onxy cameras:

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Next Level Assistive Technology - Gives greater detail on the feature of the different versions of the Onxy cameras

Additional Magnification Hardware/Software
SmartView Synergy

MyReader

SmartView Graduate

ZoomText Magnifier

ZoomText Magnifier/Screenreader

Portable Magnifiers These portable devices offer the visually impaired a means with which to magnify images wherever they may go. Similar to desktop software, there are a number of different brands of portable magnifiers that offer slightly different features.

Ruby The ruby contains a handle and works similar to a magnifying glass. The ruby can magnify from 2x to 14x the original image on its 4.3 inch screen. The ruby prides itself on simplicity, while offering useful functions. The ruby allows change offers color preference so that individuals can alter the text and background color to one's needs. Beware, the ruby does not convert and read text. However, the ruby is one of the most affordable magnifier on the marker with a price of $695. Following are some useful links that provide more information on the ruby.

Ruby User Guide Next Level Assistive Technology - Gives greater details of the feature offered by the ruby

Opal

The Opal is very similar to the Ruby and is created by the same company, Freedom Scientific. The Opal is slightly more expensive, with a price of $795. Although the magnification only magnifies to 6.4x the original figure, the Opal has the option of connecting to a television. With the use of a television, the text can be magnified much larger. Following is a video, which give more detail on the Opal:

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Opal User Guide MD Support - Review of the Opal

Classmate Reader



The Classmate Reader is a portable audio book player. The Reader reads aloud at a number of different speeds, and with a number of different font sizes. The books are kept on memory cards, which means that users would most likely need access to a personal computer. The price of the Classmate Reader is $500.00.

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Basic Options Classmate Reader Reviews

Additional Portable Magnifiers

SmartView Nano

SmartView Pocket

SmartView Versa

= Tools for Legally Blind and Totally Blind =

Readers Readers can be used by those with low vision, however the tools are especially useful for those with more severe vision impairments. Readers have the potential to scan text, and can visually read pages of text aloud without connection to a personal computer.

The SARA

The SARA offers a plethora of features beyond simply reading text. There are buttons that allow for words to be spelled, by letters and by phonetics, for the user. The SARA can be connected to a computer so that the text can be viewed, however this is not a requirement of the SARA. When connected to the computer, there are a number of different voices that can read to the user. This allows for users with different accents and dialects to benefit. The speed of the reading can also be altered. All of these options are given aloud so that all users, no matter their impairment can alter the options. The SARA also scans money, and wrappers. Braille displays can also be hooked up to the SARA so that the user can read the text themselves. The cost of the SARA is $2795.00. Following is a video and a review of the SARA:

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AFB Access World - A comprehensive review of the SARA

KurzWeil 1000



The KurzWeil 1000 is software that offers the same basic features as the SARA. The major difference is that Kurzweil 1000 is not a stand-alone device. The Kurzweil must be connected to a personal computer and scanner in order to function. It converts printed words into speech, can read electronic files, allows for the creation of audio files, and can send files to a braille display. The Kurzweil also features a spellchecker and thesaurus. The cost of $995.00 is significantly less than the SARA due to the fact that the Kurzweil requires a scanner and personal computer.

AFB Access World - Comprehensive review of the KurzWeil 1000

Other Readers on the Market

Open Book Scanning and Reading Software

JAWS Screen Reading Software

Braille Displays Braille Displays are an emerging trend for those who are legally blind and totally blind. The displays constantly refresh braille rather than printing out pages of braille. These displays do not work in isolation. Braille displays require the use of a screen reader, such as the SARA, or the use of a software, such as Kurzweil 1000, and a personal computer.

PAC Mate

PAC Mate is one of the braille displays offered by Freedom Scientific. It is a braille display that is portable and that connects via the USB port. The PAC Mate allows for customization of the firmness, speed, and hot keys. The PAC Mate comes either in a 20 cell or 40 cell model. The 20 cell model is priced at $1595.00, while the 40 cell model is priced at $3595.00. Following is a detailed list of the feature of PAC Mate, and a video displaying the use of the PAC Mate with NVDA software.

media type="youtube" key="HERnbGzi28E" height="229" width="288" Data Sheet - Goes into greater depth on the features of the PAC Mate

Focus 40, Focus 80 - Additional braille displays also offered by Freedom Scientific. The Focus 40 costs $3895.00, while the Focus 80 costs $7795.00.

BrailleConnect and Brailliant HumanWare, like Freedom Scientific, offers several different braille displays. The features are basically the same. The BrailleConnect line ranges from the the BrailleConnect12 ($1995.00) to the BrailleConnect40 ($4995.00). The Brailliant product line feature blue tooth braille displays ranging from the Brailliant24($2795.00) to the Brailliant80 ($8995.00). Following is a brief overview of braille displays by HumanWare and a review of the Brailliant model:

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AFB AccessWorld Brailliant Review

Additional Braille Displays on the Market

BrailleNote

Seika Braille Display

Braille Embossers
Braille embossers are not as popular as in the past, due to the rise of braille displays. Still, braille embossers are a valuable means with which for the blind to read. Braille embossers offer individuals the opportunity to print and read in braille. Braille embossers, like braille refreshers, do not work in isolation. A personal computer, laptop are necessary.

Enabling Technologies Embossers

Enabling Technologies offers a large amount of braille embossers. The classic Juliet embossers are one option. These embossers are double sided, which saves a tremendous amount of paper. A video of the Juliet series can be seen by clicking here. The Juliet embossers range in price from $3995 to $4495.

Another model offered by Enabling Technologies is the Romeo Series, which is a one sided braille embosser. Detail on this series can be viewed by clicking here. The Romeo series ranges in price from $1995 to $2995.

The Braille Express Series Embossers are considered for commercial production and print with much greater speed. Additional information for these can be obtained here. These embossers range in price from $11,995 to $16,995.

ViewPlus

ViewPlus is another vender of braille embossers. The embossers range in price from $3995 for desktop embossers to $24995 for commercial embossers. The features are not greatly different than other embossers. Prices simply vary due to single or double side, and speed.

While there are a large amount of options for individuals with visual impairment, technology is constantly evolving. To keep up to date with new assistive technologies, feel free to visit the following sites for companies that are leaders in assitive technology products.

[|Freedom Scientific]

Intel

ViewPlus

Emerald Cost Vision Aids

HumanWare

Additionally, please feel free to view other informative pages focusing on...

Talking Books

Reading and Writing

Deaf and Hard of Hearing