Tools to Help the Vision Impaired

We typically do not think about what life would be like without sight. We rely on the sense of sight to live our every day lives. We have to read books, news articles, magazines, instructions, and directions. We then have to type assignments, papers, letters, and other materials. We find our way around the world with our eyes primarily.  Once we lose that sight, we are at a loss as to how to get around. While driving is something that becomes impossible, there are still other deficiencies that can be made up.

As time has gone on, there have been a variety of technologies that have been developed for the blind. The Adaptive Technology Center for New Jersey Colleges (http://adaptivetech.tcnj.edu/resheet/blind.htm) explains some of the technologies that can aid the blind. For those people that suffer from partial blindness, computers can be modified with a screen magnifier. This allows an individual to be able to see a computer screen. Other computer technologies include JAWS and Windows-EYES which are screen readers. This allows anything that is on a screen to be read aloud. Other computer based technologies allow papers to be scanned and then read aloud. Visual technologies include visual cameras that can magnify tangible reading material. This occurs through close circuit video technology. Readers for these also exist.

Newer technologies developed by members of the University of California at Santa Cruz (http://sciencenotes.ucsc.edu/2011/pages/blind/blind.html). These include a new application that would aid people to get around unfamiliar areas by using their smartphone. While these technologies will aid the blind, they also provide advances for the sighted. Voice dial and text technology were originally developed for blind individuals, but now they can be used by sighted individuals to make phones easier to use. By helping those with impairments, we are also helping society as a whole