Information About AT Equipment |
Computer
Access
an AT Equipment Informative Module
Adaptive software options for the blind include:
screen readers that provide alternative sensory imput for computer navigation
scanning and reading software
internet browser readers that read html pages
other miscellaneous applications for the blind like talking checkbooks, etc.
Screen Readers
Software, Vendor, Price, Link |
Description |
Image |
HAL Dolphin
|
Hal has been developed for blind computer users, at home, at work and in education. Hal talks as you type, announcing words or characters
so you can check what you write. |
 |
| JAWS 10.0 Professional $1,095 A free demonstration coy is available from the website. It will run for 40 minutes and then stop until you reboot. |
The most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS® for Windows® works with your PC to provide access to today’s software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer’s sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable braille displays, providing unmatched braille support of any screen reader on the market. Get started with training in DAISY format and a trial version of Freedom Scientific's FSReader DAISY player software. |
 |
outSPOKEN 9.0 for Macintosh |
* Compatible with Mac OS 8 and 9 |
|
Thunder RJ RJ Cooper SW-22-MP3-2GB |
Thunder-RJ A portable and simple, but powerful screenreader,
that is tailored for blind persons (and LD/early readers) that may
be new to using a computer, or need a simpler, less expensive alternative
to more costly (and comprehensive) programs available. Works
almost entirely by the standard keyboard navigation controls, the
arrow keys! Also... Echoes each keystroke and word Selective reading of screen by character, word, line, or entire page Selective reading of menus Reading of dialog boxes and buttons And more! All this using, mostly, the arrow keys. Works in: Microsoft Word, WordPad, Notepad, Desktop, Explorer, My Computer, Outlook and Outlook Express, Excel, and even has its own web browser that breaks up complex web pages into sequential links and lines of text that you can go through with the arrow keys. |
 |
| Virgo4 Baum |
When developing VIRGO 4, Baum set a high value on making the presentation and exploration of Windows as comfortable and individual as possible for the visually impaired user. VIRGO 4 makes the user choose the sort of information to be displayed on the braille display and to be given via speech-output. Users with a rest of sight have the choice to work also with the integrated screen magnification "Galileo". The complete integration of braille, speech and screen magnification brings the power of media together to the benefit of the user. Of course, VIRGO 4 can as well be used only with braille-output or only with speech-output or just with screen magnification. |
 |
Window-Eyes GW Micro
|
Window-Eyes is a leading software application for
the blind and visually impaired, which converts components of the
Windows operating system into synthesized speech allowing for complete
and total access to Windows based computer systems. Window-Eyes integration
into Windows is seamless, providing you with instant access to the
operating system without having to learn a complicated set of keystrokes. |
 |
Scan and Read Software
Software, Vendor, Price, Link |
Description |
Image |
|
Cicero Dolphin |
Cicero effectively takes your computer and scanner and turns them into a reading machine for people with a visual impairment. Printed text documents are placed on the scanner and can then be translated into speech, Braille or simply held as a text document which can be adjusted, saved, edited and printed out. |
 |
Kurzweill 1000 |
Kurzweil 1000 is reading software that
makes printed or electronic text accessible to people who are blind.
It converts a PC and scanner into an advanced version of the revolutionary
reading machine invented by Ray Kurzweil in 1976.
Kurzweil 1000 turns text into a variety of life-like voices and does much more. Users can bookmark, make notes, skim or summarize text to aid mastery of concepts and details. They can modify reading speed, pitch, and emphasis to suit specific preferences and purposes. They can edit or create documents assisted by an audible dictionary, thesaurus or prioritized spell checker, and archive them using a simple file management dialog. Kurzweil 1000 also retrieves information online with features that simplify locating electronic books and magazines, and even encyclopedia articles from the Web. In addition, it takes reading on the road by sharing electronic information with MP3 players, portable note taking devices, Braille printers and conventional e-mail applications. |
 |
Open Book 8.0
|
OpenBook allows you to convert printed documents or graphic based text into an electronic text format using accurate optical character recognition and quality speech. OpenBook's many powerful low vision tools allow you to customize how the document appears on your screen, while other features provide portability. OpenBook provides you with the flexibility to use either of the two leading text to speech software synthesizers: RealSpeak and ViaVoice. RealSpeak features a natural, human-sounding voice that can help enhance your reading experience. ViaVoice provides practical and efficient speech for editing or skimming documents. OpenBook also supports most hardware speech synthesizers.Other new features in OpenBook 7.0 include a fax utility, copy function and online book search. |
 |
Scan and Read Pro v 7.0 Scan and Read Lite v 6.0 Premier Assistive Technology |
If you find reading difficult, Scan and Read Pro© will make reading easy and enjoyable. Scan & Read Pro© changes printed text into understandable sound. The program helps you in reading and comprehension by highlighting each word as it's read aloud. Scan & Read Pro's© voice can also be turned off if you prefer to focus on the visual input only. |
 |
Browser Readers
Software, Vendor, Price, Link |
Description |
Image |
Connect Outloud Freedom Scientific |
Connect Outloud is designed for the beginning
to experienced blind or low vision computer user to access the Internet
through speech and Braille output. This software is based on our popular
JAWS® for Windows technology and offers additional access to the
Windows XP operating system. Also, Connect Outloud version 2.0 has
even more support for the Web, including support for Internet Explorer
5 and 6, and support for Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 5.0. |
 |
Home Page Reader 3.0 IBM Accessibility Division |
Home Page Reader brings the world of the Internet to blind and low vision users. This innovative product uses the power of voice to guide users in exploring the marvels of the World Wide Web. Features of IBM® Home Page Reader include: Voice-prompted
installation that makes setup quick and easy. Easy-to-use, web-based
mail feature. Totally self-voiced Internet access. Handles HTML 4
and JavaScript®. Increased productivity with rapid speech rates
and valuable keyboard shortcuts. Enhanced usability with helpful auditory
and visual distinctions and highlighting. Access information - instantly
and independently. |
Braille Translators
Software, Vendor, Price, Link |
Description |
Image |
Duxbury Braille Translator
|
Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) DBT is simple to use--beginners learn in just minutes. Yet its depth, power and accuracy are such that it is used by most of the major braille production centers throughout the world. The current version (10;2 or later) provides the following at no extra charge: Built-in interline printing (see sample above)
to have ink-braille and print together. This makes an easy proofing
and teaching tool. Great for the braille-impaired too! |
 |
MegaDots 2.3
|
New version 2.2 MegaDots is shipped on CD-ROM for easy installation.
All the documentation is available from a simple menu on your browser.
|
 |
| Win Dots |
Miscellaneous Applications
Software, Vendor, Price, Link |
Description |
Image |
E-Library Premier Assistive Technology |
E-Library – Volume 1, a robust compilation
of literary works from authors covering a broad spectrum of seminal
and classical subjects spanning 1000’s of years from ancient
to modern times. |
 |
PDF Magic Pro 3.0 Premier Assistive Technology |
PDF Magic Pro is a utility designed to
convert normally “inaccessible” PDF Files into one of
11 different accessible formats. It can even support 155 languages.PDF
Magic Pro utilizes Premier Assistive’s new “Exact Match”
technology which will retain the format of the original PDF File document
in the newly converted file. It supports color graphics, tables and
even forms. For example, you can take any U.S. Government form in
PDF Format and quickly and easily convert it to MS Word where you
can then fill it out |
|
Predictor Pro Premier Assistive Technology |
Predictor Pro is a word prediction technology
that can assist you with your writing and typing. Here’s how
it works. As you type, it can "predict" which word you want.
The more you use it, the better it works, due to our "Auto Learn"
features. Predictor Pro predicts the word by both "frequency
of use" and "how recently the word was used", as well
as the content of the sentence. Generally, within the first 3 characters,
it will have predicted a list of potential words you may wish to use.
Once a candidate word list is displayed, you simply select the correct
word, press a hotkey and it automatically completes the word or phrase
directly in the document you are creating. To use it, just start typing and it starts predicting. If you don’t want to wait to have it learn from what you are currently typing, you can import existing documents and Predictor Pro will learn from what you have already written. That’s right, just import an existing document and it will learn from what you have already done. |
|
CD burning software that is designed to work with a screen redder While Premier CD/DVD creator appears to be like many other CD burning software, if you use screen reading software, you will be able to really HEAR the difference immediately!!. This is the first CD/DVD burning software that is designed to work with a screen reader and is now the most Section 508-compliant CD burning software in the market. For many visually impaired users, while individual “screens” may be accessible, once you select a button or other function, the user often loses tracking of the progress or status of a task because the screen reader cannot tell them what is happening. Premier CD Creator takes care of all of that. With the new Premier Assistive CD/DVD burning software, you always know what it is doing as it is doing it. No more guess work. The best part is there is nothing special you need to do to get it to work with your screen reader! If you have a screen reader running, the Premier CD/DVD software will automatically detect it, and send information through your screen reader. |
|
|
Scan And View© 5.0 Premier Assistive Technology |
If you are like a lot of CCTV ("Closed Circuit TV") users, you often find yourself where your CCTV is not. This product solves that problem by turning a standard scanner into a CCTV. When loaded on a laptop with a portable scanner attached, you will never be without a CCTV. With the push of a button, Scan and View©
will grab an image from your scanner and display it on your screen
in 24 million vibrant colors. Once displayed on your screen, you can
use the mouse or arrow keys to move around the image. The large icons
make it very easy to navigate through the program. |
|
Talking Calculator
Premier Assistive Technology |
This full functioning "talking calculator"
can be used with or without a screen reader. Every button and edit
area talks. It is easy to use with large keys and contrasting colors.
It has three display areas, so when the user adds a series of numbers,
the total is always displayed, even as you are entering a new number,
while always displaying any numbers in memory. |
|
Talking Checkbook Premier Assistive Technology |
Full reconciliation feature Sort records by any field Categorize your transaction by type Manage unlimited number of Accounts Bookkeeping made easy. We did away with confusing terms like “debit” and “credit” and replaced them with “deposit” and “withdraw”. Print Checks from your printer. The TCB will print standard QuickBooks style checks on either an inkjet or laser printer. Backup and Restore Data Multiple currencies: Supports U.S. Dollars, British Pounds and the European Euro Search for a check Check signing template. The TCB comes with a template that you can lay over your printed check so you can sign them. JAWS and Window Eyes Compatible Versions. TCB has built-in extensions for both Window Eyes and Jaws Making this checkbook very accessible, without the need for scripts and SET files. Accessible Reports: All reports can be saved as MS WORD documents or your transactions can be exported to EXCEL or LOTUS spreadsheets. Press a single hot key to hear the balance of any account. Built-in Accessible Calendar Built-in Talking Calculator |
|
Text to Audio Premier Assistive Technology |
Text-To-Audio is an industry leader in
converting electronic documents to audio files. AT&T’s Natural
Voices™ combined with our new Clear Audio technology provide
the highest fidelity digital speech audio. Text-To-Audio can even
be used to turn E-books to “audio books”. With Text-to-Audio,
you are no longer tied to you PC once you create the audio files.
The convenience of Text-to-Audio means that you can now fit reading
back into your schedule, by turning that reading into portable compact
audio files that you can listen to while doing other activities like
traveling or exercising. |
|
Return to AT Device Main Index Page