Assistive Technology

3 Types of Computer Access Software 

Screen magnification software, screen reading software, and menu-driven interface software may fall under the same broad category of assistive software for the visually impaired but they function very differently.  Screen Magnification Screen magnification is designed for individuals who have some residual functional vision that they can use to view the screen visually. In other words,… Read more 3 Types of Computer Access Software 

Screen Magnification Software: Zoomtext vs. Windows Magnifier

I’ve used various screen magnification softwares regularly since elementary school. People assume ZoomText distributed by Freedom Scientific, is the apex product on the market. I strongly disagree. ZoomText has fancy features but causes a lot of problems. Primarily, it slows up your system so much as to eventually make it unusable. The longer it runs, the slower… Read more Screen Magnification Software: Zoomtext vs. Windows Magnifier

Two Practical OCR Options: Convenient OCR through JAWS vs. Seeing AI’s Document Channel

Freedom Scientific’s Convenient OCR The term OCR refers to Optical Character Recognition or the process by which a camera captures an image and the software processes it into a digitally readable format. The Convenient OCR feature built into the JAWS screen reader from Freedom Scientitifc can scan to recognize several elements including image files, inaccessible… Read more Two Practical OCR Options: Convenient OCR through JAWS vs. Seeing AI’s Document Channel

Talking Typer iOS: Accessible Typing App for the Blind

In my experience, thorough, instinctive keyboard skills are an absolute prerequisite to successfully learning computer navigation with a screen reader, especially for those transitioning from being a mouse user. I have students use my personal iPad in class regularly as it’s a whole lot easier than dealing with IT for everything I want to install… Read more Talking Typer iOS: Accessible Typing App for the Blind

Low VIsion Access to Sheet Music

Electro-Optical Systems share the same basic components, but executions can vary widely. Examples include desktop, portable, transportable, handheld, and wearable video magnification systems, sometimes called CCTVs. A unique entry in the transportable category of electronic video magnifiers is the Lime Lighter from Dancing Dots. Specially designed for accessing sheet music, this is a foot-pedal controlled music… Read more Low VIsion Access to Sheet Music

Braille Translation Software: Duxbury vs. BrailleBlaster

By Grace Minter Braille Literacy Teacher at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind Duxbury Translation Software (DBT) A Long-Standing Industry Standard Manufacturer: Duxbury Systems Inc. Price: $699 for a single user license Address: 270 Littleton Rd., Unit 6, Westford, MA Phone: +1-978-692-3000 Email:  For General Inquiries – [email protected] For Technical Support – [email protected] What Does it Do? Step 1: Imports… Read more Braille Translation Software: Duxbury vs. BrailleBlaster

The Blind Learn to Code with Swift Playgrounds

Post Excerpt Learning to code has never been more playful than with Apple’s Swift Playgrounds app. Designed to teach coding for beginners but with plenty of depth for more advanced learners, the app offers an interactive experience that is fully accessible to the visually impaired user. The presentation below on Coding with Swift Playgrounds was adapted… Read more The Blind Learn to Code with Swift Playgrounds