Assistive Technology

[kalidust]

Here is a (partial) list of Assistive Technology that people with disabilities use for computers. I also show which ones are used for different types of disabilities. This may help those interested in accessibility to know what technology is used. I plan to expand on this list as I find more.


Screen Readers - used by people who are blind and/or have low vision

Touch Screens - used by those who have difficulty handling a mouse and/or who have cognitive disabilities.

Head Pointers - used by people who are unable to speak and does not have (or has limited) hand movement

Speech Recognition Software - used by those who have difficulty using a keyboard and/or have cognitive disabilities.

Braille displays - used by some blind users, especially those who are both deaf and blind and thus cannot use a screen reader.

[Webmaster T]

I knew all but the braille display. I assume that isn't for the web or am I missing something?

[kalidust]

Originally posted by Webmaster T
I knew all but the braille display. I assume that isn't for the web or am I missing something?

Here's some links about braille displays. They can be used for reading from the web.

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci823441,00.html

http://www.deafblind.com/display.html

http://www.alvabraille.com/BrailleDisplays/default.asp

[kalidust]

Articles on this subject

http://www.gawds.org/showcategory.php?categoryid=19

[Webmaster T]

Learn something new everyday! Thanks Karen!

[kalidust]

I'm always in awe when I see a woman here who uses a head pointer type system. She cannot speak or use her hands. There is a small ciruclar device that is between her eyebrows that she uses to communicate with her computer that is attached to her wheelchair. Her computer talks for her.

She is extremely smart, and she also paints with a brush attached to a band on her head

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