Breadcrumb
Resources: Hardware and Software
The following are links to different web sites that contain information about assistive technology products. This web site is divided by the assistive technology products for easier access. This web site is neither inclusive of all possible assistive technology products nor by citing these suggested these products are better than others. These products are for an overall review and may very greatly among each other. For example scan read systems may range in price from $1300 to $50. Quality of the product of is dependent upon user needs and the job task.
Hardware
- Close Circuit Television (CCTV)
A Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a video magnification system consisting of a video screen interfaced with a video camera. Video magnification is achieved in two ways - the electronic conversion from the small camera imager to the larger display screen and the optical effect of the cameras zoom lens. The CCTV system provides high contrast, inverse video display, gray scale, false colors, natural colors, and/or control of contrast level and brightness.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Enhanced Vision Systems: http://www.enhancedvision.com
Magnisight: http://www.magnisight.com/ - Braille and Embossers
Braille is a system of touch reading for the blind which employs embossed dots evenly arranged in quadrangular letter spaces or cells. In each cell, it is possible to place six dots, three high and two wide. By selecting one or several dots in characteristic position or combination, 63 different characters can be formed.” Source: Braille Authority of North America (BANA)- Braille Embosser
A Braille Embosser is a hardware device for "printing" a hard copy of a text document in Braille. A Braille translation software program is required to translate the text from the computer into Braille. Most Braille translation software programs can translate material into several grades or versions of Braille.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Humanware Embossers https://store.humanware.com/hus/blindness/braille-printers-embossers
American Foundation for the Blind Braille Printers https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/assistive-technology-products/braille-printers
- Braille Embosser
- Refreshable Braille Displays
Refreshable Braille Displays are electronic devices that are used to read text that a computer sends to the monitor. The device is connected to the computer by a serial cable and produces Braille output on the Braille display. Refreshable Braille displays only read one line of text at a time. These displays generally include directional keys which allow the user to navigate through a document.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
ALVA Refreshable Braille: https://in.optelec.com/products/alva-bc-640.html
Freedom Scientific: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/blindness/
Reha Papenmeier: https://www.papenmeier-rehatechnik.de/en/home.html
Software
- Braille Translator
A Braille translation software program is required to translate the text from the computer into Braille. Most Braille translation software programs can translate material into several grades or versions of Braille.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Duxbury Brailler: http://www.duxburysystems.com/
Megadots: http://www.duxburysystems.com/megadots.asp - OCR Software
Optical character recognition (OCR) is the process of converting an image of text, such as a scanned paper document or electronic fax file, into computer-editable text. The text in an image is not editable: the letters are made of tiny dots (pixels) that together form a picture of text. During OCR, the software analyzes an image and converts the pictures of the characters to editable text based on the patterns of the pixels in the image. After OCR, you can export the converted text and use it with a variety of word-processing, page layout and spreadsheet applications.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Omni Page: https://www.kofax.com/products/omnipage
Text Cloner Pro: http://www.premierathome.com/products/TextClonerPro.php - Scan and Text Readers
A scanner/reader converts typewritten or typeset material into clearly spoken synthesized speech. Text can be read immediately, stored on computer disk, saved into a word processing application, or prepared for Braille production.” Source: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the TRICARE Management Activity
VERA: https://www.evas.com/Datasheets/Retired../DataSheet068.htm
Kurzweil 3000: https://www.kurzweiledu.com/k3000-firefly/overview.html
OpenBook: https://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/software/OpenBook/
WYNN: https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/WYNN - Screen Magnification
Screen magnification softwares are used by people with visual disabilities to access information on a computers screen. The software enlarges the information on the screen by pre-determined incremental factor. Most screen magnification software has the flexibility to magnify the full screen, parts of the screen or provide a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or pointer. These programs also often allow for inverted colors, enhanced pointer viewing and tracking options.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Dolphin Supernova: https://yourdolphin.com/products/individuals/families/supernova
MAGic: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/
MAGNUS: Ubuntu https://www.kryogenix.org/code/magnus/
ZoomText Xtra: https://www.zoomtext.com/ - Screen Readers
A Screen Reader is the commonly used name for Voice Output Technology. Hardware and software produce synthesized voice output for text displayed on the computer screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on the keyboard.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
JAWS: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/jaws/
Dolphin Screem Reader: Win https://yourdolphin.com/products/individuals/screen-reader
LOOKOUT Screen Reader: Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.accessibility.reveal&hl=en_US&gl=US
NVDA https://www.nvaccess.org/
Orca https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/ - Text Readers
Text-to-Speech software is used to convert words from a computer document (e.g. word processor document, web page) into audible speech spoken through the computer speaker. This would be helpful to people who need or want aural verification of what they are seeing in print. Text-to-speech technology can be integrated with OCR systems. Text to Speech software is different from Screen Reading technology in that it does not read any system information (such as file structure or alter boxes).” : Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Reviews https://www.techradar.com/best/best-text-to-speech-software - Voice Recognition
Speech Recognition Software: Allows users to "type" by using voice alone or in conjunction with the mouse or keyboard. These systems provide users with the capability to create text and operate a computer simply by speaking. These systems learn the user's voice and speaking style. Because the system learns the user's voice, it can accommodate individuals with accents and speech impairments. Voice recognition systems allow users who cannot type to create memos, reports, and spreadsheets easily by speaking instead of typing.” Source: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the TRICARE Management Activity
Dragon Naturally Speaking: https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html
ViaVoice: https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=an&subtype=ca&htmlfid=897/ENUS202-174&language=enus&appname=skmwww - Writing Tools and Word Prediction
“Word prediction technology is used to assist with text entry. These software packages predict the word you are typing and the next word based on word frequency and context. They may also include features such as spell checking as you type, speech synthesis, and hotkeys for frequently used words. Word processors give immediate feedback of words and text.” : Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
Write Outloud: https://learningtools.donjohnston.com/product/Ghotit Dyslexia Keyboard App: https://www.ghotit.com/ghotit-dyslexia-keyboard
Co-Writer: https://learningtools.donjohnston.com/product/cowriter/
ViaVoice: https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=an&subtype=ca&htmlfid=897/ENUS202-174&language=enus&appname=skmwww
Talking Word Processor: https://www.schoolhealth.com/talking-word-processor - Adaptive Devices
“Numerous products are available for use by persons who cannot use a standard mouse. Trackballs, ergonomically-designed mice, and touch-sensitive pads are substitute pointing devices that require less motion on the user’s part and better positioning with respect to the keyboard. Often alternative pointing devices are integrated into the keyboard.”
Intelliswitch: https://owd.tcnj.edu/~technj/2006/IntelliSwitch.htm
Track Balls: https://advopps.org/these-ergonomic-mice-are-on-the-ball/