Refreshable Braille Display

In an increasingly technologically dependent society, it is necessary that all people are able to interact with new technologies thoroughly and efficiently. But how does someone with a vision impairment interact with a personal computer, a Macbook, or an iPhone? There are several different ways for this interaction to take place.

This post focuses on what is called a Refreshable Braille Display (RBD). The Refreshable Braille Display allows users to read what is on the screen by providing a braille translation of the text on the page. Specialized software ensures that data is captured from the screen (or a users perception of the screen) and sent to the device, which outputs the data through braille. This enables students with vision impairments to interact with the device, effectively allowing them to read the text. It even works with an iPhone:

Because of the complexity of the device in accordance with withstanding every day wear and tear, one drawback is the cost. Depending on how many cells (or usable braille characters per RDF), one can save some money by buying a device with 24 keys as opposed to 40 keys. Coupled with the screen reader (software), the cost can add up. But, to a person who can benefit from, learn from, and interact with technology through use of an RBD and the screen reader, the technology is invaluable. Students who can use these adaptive technologies can greatly benefit in the classroom and beyond, both enabling and empowering them to learn.

Reading Pen 2 by Wizcom

The Reading Pen 2 by Wizcom is an assistive technology device that helps people with reading handicaps, learning disablilites, or people who have trouble paying attention when they are reading. It is a device that will allow people to hear the words instead of having to read them. The device has a webpage that can be located at http://enablemart.com/Welcome/ReadingPen-2. The pen will read the words and give definitions or pronounce a word that may be difficult for someone with a disability to pronounce. Until the first Reading Pen, the Reading Pen 2 comes equipped with two different styles: the basic style and the advanced edition. The pen is extremely lightweight and is very easy to fit inside of a back pack or a purse for easy access to the device. The device is easy to use as well. Once you turn the pen on, you take the pen and run it over the word or sentence that you wish to hear. The pen will scan this sentence or word and it will read it for you and put the word or sentence into words that one can hear. It gives quick, up to date definition and translations for many words. The device has a built in 80 word memory system so that it is easy to review for tests and acquire personal knowledge, because all one will have to do is push a button and the pen remembers what you have already scanned. I have a friend that once had a Reading Pen and it was fascinating to watch and listen to. He had a learning disability to where it was difficult for him to retain knowledge if he just read it, and he didn't have the capacity to pay attention for a long period of time. With the Reading Pen, he was able to just listen the words and follow along hearing them and being able to fully comprehend and remember much of what he was hearing. It is a fascinating invention, and the price is a fair price for the technology that you are getting and the trouble it can save you.

Video of the Reading Pen