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

The Tracker 2000-Head Pointing Device

The Tracker 2000 is an assistive device for students with communication disabilities. This device is similar to a web-cam. It is mounted on the top of a computer monitor. An infrared light shines out of it and looks for a 1/4 inch reflective dot located on the user by use of glasses or a hat. When the user moves his/her head, the mouse on the computer screen will move. Unfortunately, this is all the infrared light and reflective light does. In order to click the mouse, the user must push input switches on the camera to make a selection on the computer. Even though the Tracker 2000 is slower than other head pointing devices, it seems to be the most comfortable to wear as a user. Because it is slower, the user tends to move their head towards the computer screen thinking it will help in moving the mouse. When this is done, the reflective dot on the user enlarges and the computer detects that and makes the mouse harder to control. Users will have to be reminded that this head pointing device is not as quick as they may desire and will have to be patient to get the desired results.



Head Pointing Device Demonstration