Departments

Assistive Technology

Vision Tools

A student with visual impairment may need large print or magnification or contrast between background and text.  A student who is blind and cannot use print materials may need auditory or Braille translations of printed materials.

The Vision Specialist is very knowledgeable about assistive technology in this area.
 
Assistive technology devices that may help a student with visual impairment:

Adapted or Alternative Computer Keyboards

• VisionBoard
• Enlarged labels for keyboard
• Braille/tactile labels for keyboard

Braille Tools

• Learning Sight & Sound products

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

Computer Access

• Microsoft Windows accessibility features – (ToggleKeys, MouseKeys, Sound Schemes, High Contrast Schemes, Scalable User Interface Elements, Pointer Schemes, Pointer Speed & Acceleration, Pointer Visibility, Click Lock, SnapTo, Magnifier, Narrator, Cursor thickness, Personalized appearance, Sound notification)

Digital Text Readers for Computers

• Kurzweil 1000 - software that can be used with a scanner to scan & read for people who are blind or severely visually impaired.
• Kurzweil 3000 - software that can be used with a scanner to scan & read for struggling readers or people with less severe visual impairment.
  
• textHELP Read & Write Gold
• Wynn

Digital Textbooks

• Adobe Acrobat accessibility to online texts
• Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) - audio books
  

Large Print Books

Magnifiers/Monoculars

• Hand held magnifiers
• Closed Circuit Television
• Flipper

Screen Magnification for Computers

• Large computer monitor (21")
• Microsoft Windows Magnifier (Windows Vista, XP, 2000 & 98) - Go to Start menu, Programs, Accessories, Accessibility and click on Magnifier.  Magnifies up to half the monitor screen with a magnification level up to 9x.
• Screen color contrast
  
• ZoomText
• Zoomware

Screen Readers for Computers

• Jaws for Windows
• Microsoft Windows Narrator (Windows Vista, XP, 2000) - Go to Start menu, Programs, Accessories, Accessibility and click on Narrator.