Adapting your equipment
Access technology makes it possible for people with sight loss to use everyday technology and get access to information and reading. The main types of access technology are:
Screen reading software - sends screen text displayed on the screen to be spoken by a speech synthesizer.
Screen magnification software – magnifies the text, menus and icons on the computer screen.
Standalone reading machine – a device that integrates a scanner, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software and speech software.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software - used in conjunction with a PC and scanner to copy printed text to the computer and hold it electronically so it can be read by a screen reader or magnified with software.
Braille embosser or braille printer - embossers print braille output from a computer by punching dots onto paper.
Notetakers - a portable computer with a braille or QWERTY keyboard that gives speech feedback and allows the user to take notes.
Closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) or video magnifiers - printed material and objects can be placed under a camera and the magnified image is displayed on a television screen or computer monitor.
Braille display - a tactile device that is placed under a conventional computer keyboard, or laptop keyboard and enables the user to read the contents of the computer screen by touch in braille.
Voice recognition software - an alternative to typing text into a computer allowing the user to control the computer and type by speech.
- Date: May 2009