Technology for the Blind

[Nunya]

I know there are computers for the visually impaired. However, what about computers for the fully blind??? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

Would the keyboard be in braille? Can someone explain to me what a Braille display is??? I understand it serves to relay information that would appear on the screen...

I have been trying to find a pic but so far, no good...

[kia027]

Re: Technology for the Blind

dont know about keyboards in braille but had a friend of my husband who was blind and deaf (he had cochlear implants so could hear when they were on) who was a systems developer at Lucent. He used software that would translate his speech into text for email and developing software.

[Nunya]

Re: Technology for the Blind

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img] So any information passed back to him had to be verbal (recorded) or braille, right???

See, I understand that there is a braille display (it translates what's on the screen to the 'keypad' which the reader then decipher with his fingers.

I have heard of this but cannot find a picture.

I have also heard that there are maps for the blind... cyaa find a picture of that either...

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/70367-help.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70367-help.gif[/img]

[Afrocentriclady]

Re: Technology for the Blind

I went on a search, sorry no luck. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Technology for the Blind

[ QUOTE ]
I know there are computers for the visually impaired. However, what about computers for the fully blind??? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

Would the keyboard be in braille? Can someone explain to me what a Braille display is??? I understand it serves to relay information that would appear on the screen...

I have been trying to find a pic but so far, no good...

[/ QUOTE ]
There are a number of applications that are available to the blind fre of cost.
these applications are really readers of the webpage. yes the actually read and describe every single thing about the page and those I know who use them are very satisfied.
They do not have braille keyboards,because the bilnd has very good positional memory and can type on a regular keyboard faster than most seeing persons I know. (me included).
JAWS and Microsoft EYES are two popular programs,but with it they do surf the web,post on bullitin boards,do blogs read and send mail,listen to music. the software eve n describe pictures and emotions to the reader. The speed at which it reads is ajustable,so you can browse as fast or slow as you wish. Check here

[j-kid]

Re: Technology for the Blind

Accessibility tools are built into Win-XP, including audio screen-reading tool:

Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility.


Also see:
http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm...2&trail=22,11114,15692

http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Populations/Blind/compaids.php

http://www.sighted.com/english/braillein.html

[j-kid]

Re: Technology for the Blind

http://www.independentliving.com/products.asp?dept=173&deptname=Globes%20and%20Maps

http://www.adaptivetech.net/products/trekker.htm

[Nunya]

Re: Technology for the Blind

[ QUOTE ]
There are a number of applications that are available to the blind fre of cost.
these applications are really readers of the webpage. yes the actually read and describe every single thing about the page and those I know who use them are very satisfied.
They do not have braille keyboards,because the bilnd has very good positional memory and can type on a regular keyboard faster than most seeing persons I know. (me included).


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks very much for the link! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] I am guessing that EYES would read back what was typed and highlight any typos, etc... lovely!

e.t.a: From looking at the links J-kid provided, I see that there are keyboards and overlays that are braille.

For eg: The Erogonomical Software Independent Keyboard

Most blind people use a standard QUERTY keyboard when working with a computer. In a number of cases when it comes to editing Braille writing mathematics or music Braille for example using a Braille keyboard makes more sense. An ergonomically designed Braille keyboard like Braille In will ease your work even when working with long documents.

Braille In connects to your PC just like a standard keyboard. Braille In connects to the keyboard port


Braille In comes with your national Braille code and keyboard emulation pre-installed. If you need a different configuration, connect the Braille keyboards configuration port to the serial port of your PC and load the new translation table configuration into Braille In’s flash-ROM.

Braille In does not require any resident software to work with your computer. It works independently. Therefore it does not matter if you run any type of software such as OS2, DOS, Windows 95,98,2000, NT, or Unix.

Braille In gives full 102 key keyboard support. Braille In can emulate all functions of your PC keyboard; this includes key combinations with Shift, ALT, CTRL, etc. If remembering those strange combinations becomes a problem you can plug your standard keyboard into the Braille In and run both keyboards simultaneously.

Braille In has 8 Braille keys plus a space bar. Braille In has 10 function keys, which makes data input fast easy and accurate

[Nunya]

Re: Technology for the Blind

Awesome links J-kid! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]



... This portable tactile display device converts graphical information from a computer screen into touchable images in real time. It can display all types of tactile images, including text characters, braille, magnification and reduction, scrolling, and moving images.

Users can touch the image of a computer mouse in performing the click and drag operation. Maps, animal figures, and other line art shown on a computer monitor can be displayed as tactile images, as can scanned photographs and images from digital cameras. ...

***



Keyboard Alternatives
One alternative for blind students is IntelliKeys, which uses standard and customized overlays for software control. Resources that create Braille overlays are available, as well as kits to make any overlay accessible to blind users.

IntelliTactiles™ Standard Overlay Companions (APH)

IntelliTactiles™ make the IntelliTools Standard Overlays accessible to Braille readers. These durable clear-plastic tactile overlays slip under the ledges of the IntelliKeys keyboard on top of the visual overlays. The tactile overlays feature Braille markings and special tactile point symbols.

Mouse Alternatives
The most popular way of interacting with computer software is by using a mouse to point and click on pictures and menus. This is impossible for blind users. Many people are unaware that you can navigate the computer's graphic interface by keyboard commands alone.

Students who are totally blind can access the computer by screen reader software and/or refreshable Braille displays and by keyboard commands. With this access, students can independently use the computer to read, write, send and receive e-mail and do research.

Did you know that:

The "Windows" key does the same thing as pointing and clicking on the

The "Shortcut Menu" key does the same thing as clicking the right mouse button?

The "ALT" key places the focus in the Menu Bar to provide keyboard access to the pull-down menus?

[Nunya]

Re: Technology for the Blind

A GPS system for the Blind

A revolutionary system that uses GPS and digital maps to help blind persons find their way in urban and rural areas.

Trekker helps guide the visually impaired through their environment. It complements existing aids (white canes and guide dogs). It does not replace them. Sleek and discreet, Trekker provides information in the most natural way possible and allows users to record both vocal and written notes.



[img]/forums/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]

[Nunya]

Re: Technology for the Blind

A few nights ago, it was shown on the news that we finally have a cinema here in Canada that is 'blind friendly'...

A blind person would sit in a regular seat but with a headphone that described everything not said on the screen.

Does anyone know if this is available in the States? or the UK?

Thanks again for the links! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img] I cannot understand why I couldn't find anything even remotely interesting as these...

[j-kid]

Re: Technology for the Blind

Kind of like audio sub-titles for the blind. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Come to think of it Nunya, growing up, some og us who could not afford a TV and depended on the radio and book, developed a vivid imigination, because most of our stories came via the audio or reading, so I can kind of see how the blind would put together the picture in their head based on the detailed descriptions that they would be hearing through the head-phones.

[Nunya]

Re: Technology for the Blind

I am wondering just how detailed the descriptions would be though... for eg - how would they describe Danny DeVito? RuPaul?

Could they use this descriptive video for slapstick? Eg: how would they describe one of Mr. Bean's routine?

And even for a 'talkie' how much description can they give before a voice breaks in???

I wish there was a way for me to sample this...

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Technology for the Blind

[ QUOTE ]
A few nights ago, it was shown on the news that we finally have a cinema here in Canada that is 'blind friendly'...

A blind person would sit in a regular seat but with a headphone that described everything not said on the screen.

Does anyone know if this is available in the States? or the UK?

Thanks again for the links! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img] I cannot understand why I couldn't find anything even remotely interesting as these...

[/ QUOTE ]
it's available on TV in the states.>most high end TV's and eve cheap ones has the function and the statioins broadcast many programs and some stations all programs including the ads.

[j-kid]

Re: Technology for the Blind

[ QUOTE ]
I am wondering just how detailed the descriptions would be though... for eg - how would they describe


[/ QUOTE ]

Danny DeVito?.....Short, stucky, funny looking, with little legs, who managed to find a woman that loves him to death. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

RuPaul?.....Tall, lean, long legged, well dressed, cross-dressers, that plays the female roles better than most of the other drag-queens. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]