What do we mean by 'vision impaired' ?

There are various definitions which describe this disability, but in simple terms it could be:

• Partially sighted - a person can see but with some difficulty;
  
  
• Low vision - a more severe impairment of vision, but not necessarily limited to distance vision. This would be someone with sight who is unable to read a newspaper at a normal viewing distance, even with the aid of eyeglasses or contact lenses;
  
  
• Blind - a person having no useful sight.

How does someone with a vision impairment use a computer ?

This is where Assistive Technology (AT) comes into play. Dependent on the severity of the impairment, there are a number of products available or computer adjustments that can be made, which allow you to use a computer more easily.

Those with partial or low vision:

• Increasing the screen resolution - Windows display options
• Larger monitor
• Larger fonts - making them easier to see in Microsoft Windows
• Different background colours - Choosing your preferred colours in Windows
• Magnification
• Magnification with speech software
• Screen overlay sheet or lens - called a 'Fresnel'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresnel_lens http://science.howstuffworks.com/question244.htm http://www.pa.uky.edu/sciworks/physicspettingzoo/Fresnel.htm

• CCTV viewer, which projects magnified printed material onto a monitor
• Lenses

Those with no useful sight:

• Braille displays and keyboards
• Braille embossers
• Braille Notetakers
• Tactile Devices

T3 Tactile Talking Technology
The T3 is a touch sensitive, multi sensory device which provides instant audio feedback from tactile images. This combination of sound and touch transforms the way in which people who are visually impaired can access graphical information. The T3 is connected to a standard PC or laptop computer via a USB connection and the self-installing programme CD is inserted. To activate the system all that is needed is a T3 tactile diagram overlay to be placed on the surface of the device and touched by the operators finger.
(Source: Royal National College for the Blind)

• Screen reading software
  
  

Products in practice

This is a novel way to use a Fresnel lens !



Using a screen reader. This is a free one called 'Thunder'.



Using AT - overcoming Low/No vision difficulties.

Using a screen magnifier - in this example, 'ZoomText'.

Useful Resources

• RNIB - Access Technology factsheet

• Assistive technology videos - useful search Tags (YouTube): assistive / disability / magnifier / ZoomText / macular

• Guide Software - useful video on what it does, how it works
  
  
• BrailleNet - French equivalent of the RNIB.
  
  
• Blazie - Supplier of AT and services to Blind and Partially sighted people
  
  
• Talking Dictionary is a speech enabled encyclopedic dictionary that can be used with or without a screen reader. The dictionary is based on the Wordnet 2.1 database and contains over 250,000 words. These include historical figures, slang and jargon. Talking Dictionary has been optimized for windows XP. http://www.filetransit.com/view.php?id=18055

• Babylon Free online dictionary: http://dictionary.babylon.com/

• How to use the Babylon online dictionary: http://www.alehblind.org.il/ellen/babylonwa.html

• Ultimate Talking Dictionary. The voice can be “turned off” so that it will not interfere with a screen reader voice: http://65.200.22.182/training/UTD/utd.htm

• Using Ultimate Talking Dictionary with JAWS. This narrative teaches you how to look up a definition of a word and getting Jaws to automatically read you the definition: http://65.200.22.182/training/UTD/UTDandJaws.htm
  
  
• Coping with Blindness - A personal tale of blindness rehabilitation

Free software

• iZoom Free web-based magnification and screenreader program. Requires connection to the internet.
  
  A good review of iZoom: http://magnifiers.org/popularnews.php?action=fullnews&id=284