How to buy a great computer for talking software or any blindware need
Jordan reviews many aspects of the incredible Braillenote Touch
ORION TI-84+ Talking Graphing Calculator
Available from APH with federal quota money www.aph.org/
Even though it does not have a large keypad or large screen, this
calculator is accessible to a low vision student through speech and
sonification of graphs. The student could also use a magnification tool if
needed. Finally, the math teacher can assist with its use. Combine with a graphing cable and graphing can be outputted onto a computer for student to send to the teacher or move into a Word document to complete math problems, in addition to embossing the graph to feel.
SciPlus-2500 Talking Graphing Scientific Calculator
http://sightenhancement.com/
This calculator does have a large keypad and large screen, but teachers
have reported that they would not recommend this calculator. TVIs could
not get it to work, nor could the math teachers who had a blind student in
their math class.
TI-Smart View 2.0
The Emulator Software Package for the TI-84+
http://education.ti.com/
Scientific Notebook
www.mackichan.com
This software program is a word/math processor along with being a
scientific graphing calculator. It also contains a math tutorial. However,
it does contain a CAS (Computer Algebra System) and is not allowed in some
teaching situations.
Desmos Graphing Calculator (available for iPad and Android)
They are trying to make this calculator more accessible – better for low
vision user than a totally blind one at this point in time.
Free Graphing Calculator by William Jockusch (available for iPad and
Android)
The author has made improvements for low vision users. He is open to more
suggestions.
Suggestions by:
Susan A Osterhaus
Statewide Mathematics Consultant
Outreach Programs
Texas School for the Blind
Add those additional fonts that enable you to type them directly on your computer
I use these images as examples in my presentations.
Open this link: getting close to legally blind
20/20
20/40
20/70
20/100 definition
There is only 1 letter of difference on the vision chart between 20/100 and 20/200…they are that close in visual acuity
Open this link: legally blind
and you will see
20/20
20/200, which is legally blind
20/400
Now, you can get an idea of what a visual impairment actually looks like
Low Vision lessons to help see better
| Low Vision Skills-Windows 7 Office 2010 | |
| Low Vision-XP-Office 2003 |
Blind lessons to help you operate a computer fast
There is a larger population of low vision people than blind. The low vision population is growing rapidly as people age and have diminished sight. If you wish to continue to use your computer with ease, eighteen low vision lessons to teach you how to download large cursors, enhance contrast on your machine, multiple ways to enlarge text in Word, enlarging text and graphics in the Internet and how to set up a low vision device for students in classrooms that need to see the board has been created for you. This group of lessons that will help you increase your ability to SEE everything on your computer. Go to the Low Vision TAB above, where both XP-Office 2003 and Windows 7-Office 2010 are available for immediate download.
Watch video on Youtube: Dr. Denise Robinson demonstrates Low Vision tricks on the computer and How to SEE your computer better
The iPad has several wonderful tricks to enable you to see what you are doing while moving around and typing text. Use Zoom, or enlarge Text or use White and Black. You can combine Voice Over to speak the text while using Enlarge Text or White and Black contrast….so many options.
Watch a Youtube video to get you going: iPad and Low Vision Tricks
Other Low Vision Tricks to learn at: Low Vision and iTools
As an interim measure in advance of issuing tactile-enhanced Federal Reserve notes, the BEP is providing currency readers, free of charge, to eligible blind and visually impaired individuals.
Download the application to order a currency reader here.
The BEP announced its distribution plans for the U.S. Currency Reader Program in a press release issued on Thursday, July 3, 2014.
The U.S. Currency Reader Program launched in two phases:
Pilot: From September 2 to December 31, 2014, in partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS), the BEP conducted a four-month pilot where NLS patrons could pre-order a currency reader. The pilot program allowed the government to test its ordering and distribution processes and gauge demand for currency readers. Approximately 12,000 NLS patrons pre-ordered a currency reader during the pilot phase.
National Rollout: Currency readers became widely available to all U.S. citizens, or persons legally residing in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired, on January 2, 2015. Individuals interested in receiving a currency reader through the U.S. Currency Reader Program must submit an application, signed by a competent authority who can certify eligibility. Applications, available in English and in Spanish, can be downloaded here.
by Erin Jepsen
From the Editor: This article first appeared in Future Reflections, Winter 2016. Following is the way it was introduced by Editor Deborah Kent Stein:
Erin Jepsen is a low-vision homeschooling mother of four elementary-age children, one blind, one low vision, and two sighted. She is passionate about education for all kids and about teaching Braille. She and her family live in Idaho.
Read full story here: If Braille were Print
