how blind people using digital technologies

1. MS Program University of Peshawar
 Common Disabilities
 Available Digital Technology
 Research for need of more
Digital Technology
 Badam Niazi.
 Lecturer, University of Nangarhar.
 Student at the University of Peshawar
 Program MS Computer Science
1
Available Digital Technology
for Disables

2. Contents
MS Program University of Peshawar 2
 Definition of Disabilities
 Visual impairments
 Hearing impairments
 Motor impairments
 Available Digital Technologies for
Disable people

3. Kinds of Disabilities
 Visual Impairments/Total
Blindness
 Hearing impairments
 Motor impairments
MS Program University of Peshawar 3

4.  visual impairment
is any diagnosed condition of the eye or visual
system that cannot be corrected to within normal
limits. Disease, damage or injury causing vision
impairment can occur to any part of the visual system
the eye, the visual pathways to the brain or the visual
centre of the brain.
 Total Blindness
people who are totally blind cannot see at all
MS Program University of Peshawar 4

5.  Hearing impairments
Hearing impairment disabilities vary in type and
severity. People who have a hearing impairment may
have a diminished ability to hear certain frequencies
(pitches), or they may have difficulty hearing at all
frequency levels hearing impairments may also result
from tinnitus (ringing).
MS Program University of Peshawar 5

6. Available technology for visual
impairments/Total Blinds
Various forms of technology are available to help the visually
impaired enter the digital world. Here you can learn more about the
devices that the blind and those with low vision can use to browse
the Internet, read enlarged physical text and electronic
documents, and input Chinese characters.

7. Computer Software
Screen Magnification:
Screen Readers
Scan/Read Systems
Portable Note takers
Video Magnifiers
Digital Book Readers

8. Screen Magnification:
Screen magnification software is used by people with visual
impairments to access information on computer screens. The
software enlarges information on the screen by incremental factors
(2x magnification, 3x up to 20x magnification). Screen
magnification programs run simultaneously with the computer's
operating system and applications. Most screen magnification
programs have the flexibility to magnify the full screen, parts of the
screen, or a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or
pointer. These programs also allow for inverted colours, enhanced
pointer viewing, and tracking options.
Software Website
MAGic www.freedomscientific.com
ZoomText www.aisquared.com
BigShot www.aisquared.com

9. Screen Readers
Screen reading software reads aloud everything on computer
screens, including text, pull-down menus, icons, dialog
boxes, and web pages. Screen readers run simultaneously with
the computer's operating system and applications.
Product Website
JAWS www.freedomscientific.com
Windows-Eyes www.gwmicro.com
ZoomText www.aisquared.com

10. Scan/Read Systems
Scan/read systems combine software and a flatbed scanner to read
aloud any printed text. Textbook pages, class handouts, and tests
can be scanned in and then read aloud by a computer.
Product Website
Kurzweil 1000 www.kurzweiledu.com
Open Book www.freedomscientific.com

11. Portable Note takers
Lightweight, portable note takers provide speech output without a
visual display and can be connected to printers and computers for
printing and uploading text.
Braille keyboards and refreshable Braille displays are available for
Braille users.
Product Website
Braille Lite Series www.freedomscientific.com
Braille 'n Speak www.freedomscientific.com

12. Video Magnifiers
Video magnifiers utilize closed circuit television technology to
enlarge written materials and small objects for people with low
vision. All printed material from textbook pages to mail can be
magnified for easier viewing.
Product Website
Prisma www.freedomvision.net
Aladdin www.telesensory.com
Clarity www.clarityaf.com

13. MS Program University of Peshawar 13
Digital Book Readers
Software playback systems are full-featured software packages
designed to play RFB&D's Audio Plus CD books on a desktop or
laptop computer. They are specially designed with the blind and
visually impaired community in mind.
Product Website
eClipseReader www.eclipsereader.com
Victor Reader Soft www.visuaide.com

14. Braille Display Devices
Combined with the use of screen readers, Braille display devices are
attached to computers to access screen content and output it in a series
of raised dots that represent words, letters and numbers. Visually
impaired users can then read the content with their fingers.

15. Georgie user guide
Sound and Side Technology
Properties
Core pack
News & Help
Phone
Contacts
Call logs
Places
Travel pack
Buses
Taxis
Info
Nearest
Communication pack
Camera
OCRS
Twitter
Questions
Lifestyle pack
Books
Talking
Podcasts
Voice blog Visit Video here

16. Hearing impairments
This is in shape of mobile which has two main components, a
keyboard and monitor. A user enters text via the keyboard which is
translated into voice for the other person. Some of these text phones
now include voice recognition software which translates anything the
person says on the other end into readable text for the deaf person.
Other features could include a call-indicator light that flashes when
someone is phoning; the ability to record the conversation in audio or
transcribed text; and the ability to send instant text messages.
Text Phone Devices

17. Motor impairments
who have motor impairment disabilities commonly
experience difficulties accessing computer
keyboards and mice; therefore, they often rely on
special assistive technologies in order to interact
with a computer. These technologies range in sophistication
from mouth-sticks to eye-tracking
devices that work in combination with straws to create
mouse input when the user puffs into the straw device.

18. References
1. Technology for the Visually Impaired to Enter the Digital World
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/communication/visuallyimp/tech
.htm
2. Georgie user guide sound and side technology
http://www.sightandsound.co.uk/shop/products.php?product=G
EORGIE
3. Types of Disabilities
Their impact on online learning by Kevin L. Crow