Technology

For students who are blind and visually impaired, assistive technology is an important component of their education. Assistive technology refers to any device or product that helps an individual with disabilities increase their capabilities and/or perform activities that otherwise would be impossible. From talking dictionaries and calculators to special computer software and other more sophisticated devices, adaptive technology provides the blind and visually impaired student the ability to access the curriculum and become more independent.

The MCPS Vision Program performs a careful assessment of students to determine what types of technology would be beneficial for their particular situation (i.e. visual limitations, learning styles, curriculum demands, grade level)

To learn about different devices used by the blind and visually impaired, click on the fields below:

Talking Devices

Calculators
We accommodate our students with the use of calculators with large display, voice output or both. Some have the basic operations while others are scientific calculators. Also, our students use accessible graphing calculator software like AGC and/or Math Trax for advanced math.

Dictionaries
The use of speaking English dictionaries help some students to access the curriculum. Also, bilingual dictionaries with voice output benefit students whose primary language is other than English, as well as students who take foreign language classes.

Screen Magnifier/Reader Software

Screen Magnifiers
Screen magnifier is software capable to enlarge part of or the whole computer screen. Some are capable to a magnification up to 36x, enhance the cursor and pointer, adjust colors and background, etc. The use of screen magnifiers requires training.

Screen Readers
Screen readers software decode and read aloud the text displayed on the computer using a voice synthesizer. They are operated using a combination of different keystrokes to perform the desirable actions (read the title and/or context, go to a previous page, open links, etc.). The use of screen readers requires training.

Electronic Note Takers

Braille notetakers are small devices with braille keys and speech synthesizer, which carry many functions of a regular computer. Some of them also have a refreshable braille display. Braille notetakers are able to transcript any braille input into regular print, which allow students to present their print out work to their teachers. The use of braille notetakers requires intensive training.

CCTV's

Close Circuit Television (CCTV) consists on a video camera used to project a magnified image of books and other written materials on a TV screen. Usually, the magnification, brightness and contrast of the screen display could be individually adjusted.

Digital Players

Digital players are devices that allow the blind and visually impaired to listen to e-books and other MP3 materials. They also have a build in speech synthesizer for reading files in text format. These books and other reading materials can be downloaded free of charge from Bookshare.org and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). The most popular digital player for the visually handicapped is the Victor Reader Stream.

Electronic Braillers

An electronic braille writer is a notetaker and embosser with file storage and speech feedback. If connected to a regular printer, it produces a print translation of braille output. If connected to a regular computer keyboard, anybody could type an assignment for the student without needing to know the braille code.

Kurzweil 3000 is a great resource for students with print disabilities. It is a reading/writing software with voice output that facilitates access to printed and electronic materials. To learn more about Kurzweil 3000 and using guides, visit HIAT (High Incidence Accessible Technology).

Kurzweil 1000 is also a reading/writing software but specifically developed for the blind because it can be operated using only keystrokes. It has a good quality scanning recognition, the option of different synthesized voices, it is capable to open digital XML books, etc.

Which started as a print disabled community sharing legally scanned books, it has become a repository of thousands of digital books and other electronic materials called Bookshare.org. Today, Bookshare.org is free for qualified students with a print disability thanks to a special funding from the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. The books can be downloaded in DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) or BRF (Braille Refreshable Format) format and read with a range of digital tools.