This service includes an individualized comprehensive
assistive technology assessment and recommended training to reach specific
individualized objectives. The client will be provided with an introduction and
exposure to various types of computer-related assistive technology. Instructors assist individuals in
choosing the best computer hardware, software and accessories to meet the
client’s needs and goals.
Computer-related assistive technology is software and
hardware that provides a visually impaired person the ability to access and use
a computer. We provide assistive technology assessment and training on the
following: Jaws (screen reading program), Magic and ZoomText (screen
magnification programs), Kurzweil 1000 and OpenBook (OCR scanning programs),
Dragon Naturally Speaking, Trekker Breeze, Victor Stream (electronic book
player), etc.
Screen reading programs provide a blind or visually impaired
individual with the ability to hear everything that is appearing on the
computer screen, as well as what the individual is typing on the computer. This
software program is generally used for totally blind or severely visually
impaired individuals.
A screen magnification software program magnifies what is
appearing on the computer screen and may or may not provide some verbal
confirmation of what is appearing on the screen.
An optical character recognition (OCR) scanning program
offers a visually impaired or blind person with the ability to scan typewritten
documents (such as personal mail or work-related documents) and have the
documents read to them.
Voice Input allows an individual to speak to the computer
and have what they dictate appear on the computer screen. This may be used in
combination with a screen reader to provide both speech input (Dragon Naturally
Speaking) and speech output (Jaws).
Computer-related assistive technology also provides the
visually impaired with the ability to access and use such software programs as
Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access.