Features
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Talking technology
The widespread use of computers, particularly the Internet, has altered the way we live. And if you think you don't own a computer, think again. Even microwave ovens have them built in. The Internet has been described as the information equaliser, as the creator of a global village. That is, if you can access it. For blind, vision-impaired and deaf-blind people, adaptive technology is the vital access link to this world of information. The term "adaptive technology" (AT) describes software and hardware that helps RNZFB members to use computers. The last issue of Outlook featured some of the inventions of the past two hundred years that have influenced modern technology. This issue describes the many forms of adaptive technologies. Already we have TIS, the Telephone Information Service that 'reads' same-day newspaper articles and information over the phone. Some cell phones can now read email with text-to-speech software. In the future, cell phones may also be equipped with global positioning systems (GPS) devices that enable a blind or vision-impaired person to ask where they are and have the phone relay their location, or tell them how far it is to their destination. We'll soon be able to programme household devices, to listen to a fax or dictate a letter over the phone and have it sent as an email message in text. We could even have our computers doing language translations as we speak to our foreign colleagues around the world. Here are some of the technologies currently available in New Zealand.
Adaptive technology for people with low vision
Closed circuit TVs (CCTVs) are devices that enlarge and enhance the contrast of paper documents, pill bottles, cans etc. CCTVs often incorporate a monitor, camera, and sliding table and come in desktop or portable and colour or black and white models.
Screen enlargers work like software magnifying glasses. They enlarge a portion of the screen up to 16 times its original size. They run simultaneously with the computer's operating system, such as Windows.
Some allow you to zoom in and out of particular areas and advanced models combine speech with a screen magnifier.
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Adaptive technology for people who are blind
Screen readers are programmes that present graphics and text as speech through the computer's speakers. Using commands issued from the computer keyboard, the screen reader can speak everything on the screen, including punctuation, and keystrokes. Screen readers can also forward information on the screen to a braille display so it can be read by touch as well. Some Internet browsers incorporate screen reader software so that web sites can be spoken.
A refreshable braille display
is an electronic device that sits under a computer keyboard or laptop and provides a brailled version of the text appearing on a computer monitor. As information changes on the computer monitor, the individual cells on the braille display, each containing eight plastic pins, change to create braille characters. A silent and efficient means of reading computer screens, braille displays are often used together with screen reader software. Braille embossers may also be coupled with a computer and braille translation software to convert an electronic document into paper braille.
Electronic note-takers
incorporate speech synthesis with or without braille displays. They are used to take notes, keep track of appointments, manage files and access email and the Internet. These devices are portable, can run on batteries for extended periods of time, and can easily be plugged into personal computers. One device, about the size of a TV remote control, even allows you to speak commands to it such as "phone book". It will then read phone numbers to you via a built in screen reader.
Adaptive technology for deafblind people
Deafblind people can use much of the AT that blind and vision-impaired people use. Those with enough hearing can use screen readers, while those with enough vision can use screen enlargers.
A deafblind person with no vision or hearing and braille skills would be able to use a braille display.
Software and web designers are being encouraged to make computers more and more accessible.
After all, many of the useful functions of standard computers were originally designed to help people with disabilities, not to hinder them. For example, keyboard shortcuts (the F1 to F12
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keys on a keyboard) were substitutes for various commands; these were keys that could be found easily. Microsoft operating systems can enlarge and enhance the contrast of their screens using features built in to the operating system so Windows applications can be made more accessible to vision-impaired people. Microsoft has 40 full-time employees whose job it is to ensure that its products are accessible to those with disabilities, while the Internet is overseen or 'managed' by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The W3C have developed a set of guidelines for web designers so they may develop more accessible web pages so that blind and vision-impaired people can read them easily. Microsoft's director for accessibility, Greg Lowney, predicts that in fifteen to twenty years' time speaking to a computer and the computer speaking back will be completely normal.
The Foundation provides AT assessments for members. It also offers courses in Auckland and Wellington, teaching members how to use adaptive technology on today's computers competitively using a wide range of the most up-to-date equipment.
Phone 0800 24 33 33 and ask to speak with your local service co-ordinator about how you can participate in one of these courses. You can also purchase some adaptive technology through Equipment Services (see page 19) or visit the Foundation's website, www.rnzfb.org.nz to find out about companies that sell products over the Internet. If you need help at home or at work with using adaptive technology, you can phone the AT Helpdesk free during business hours on 0800 24 33 33. The Foundation has also set up and monitors a discussion group for people interested in technology. To join please send an email message to join_atig