Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment

Visually impaired is defined by the American Foundation for the Blind as someone who is blind or cannot see clearly even when wearing corrective lenses. A 2006 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) shows that vision loss affects an estimated 21.2 million adult Americans. Technology offers those with visual impairments the ability to work, live and play without limitations.
  1. Internet

    • It seems like anything and everything you could ever possibly need can be bought or researched on the internet. If you are using a standard web browser like Internet Explorer and the web page was built to support visual technology, you can purchase a screen reader. This software offers people with vision loss the opportunity to take advantage of the web by "reading" what is on the screen and speaking it to the user. If the web page you want to read will not accept the software there are special browsers especially for the blind that you can use.

    Electronic Books

    • The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) offers books and magazines in a special format called Web-Braille. Cooperating libraries offer the books and magazines free of charge--through computer downloads or postal mail--to U.S. citizens. The borrower must have visual acuity of less than 20/200 with corrective lenses or a physical handicap that limits the field of vision to 20 degrees to be eligible.

    Braille Embossers

    • Software that works in conjunction with a Braille printer can turn words, graphics, or math equations into a language those with low vision can read. Embossers are easy to use and work directly with common word processing or spreadsheet applications.

    Video Magnifiers

    • Video magnifiers are hand held cameras that can are used to magnify anything from a computer screen at home to a food label in the store. There are two types of magnifiers -- ones that plug into the television and ones that are on rollers for easy viewing of flat material. Fixed cameras on stands or tables are also popular for reading. The printed material is positioned under the camera. The handheld cameras are often cheaper and more practical for everyday living.

    Future

    • Technological advances in assisted technology for visual impairment are forthcoming. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires cell phones to be manufactured with vision loss consumers in mind. Many phones are still ill equipped to function well for those with low vision and the American Foundation for the Blind works tirelessly to promote adherence to that policy. Braille embossers now offer graphic software which enable blind people to "see" their friends in high resolution Braille. It is expected that more websites will become user friendly as well and specialty browsers will no longer be needed.

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