Computer hardware and software to assist the visually impaired and blind.
Modern developments in computer hardware and software for the business world have been adapted to allow the partially sighted and blind to participate successfully in computer usage in education, employment and recreation. Adaptations such as the enlargement of the whole screen display, production of enlarged print and voice output of screen contents can assist the partially sighted. Conversion of computer screen information into speech or braille can be used in conjunction with sound boards and touch pads to allow the totally blind access to the exact spatial layout of screen contents. Optical character recognition devices whereby the printed page can be accessed by computer, and recent voice recognition techniques which allow a computer to interpret voiced commands, can also be used to assist the totally blind. Developments in these areas are discussed together with specific examples of equipment now available which make use of the various methods described.
Boulton
L M
LM
Eye Department, Palmerston North Hospital, New Zealand.
D001766:Blindness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003201:Computers / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software / Q000639:trends; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000534:rehabilitation*