Vision support using assistive aids and technology
Technology has advanced the growth of assistive technology for blind or partially sighted individuals. It is much easier for people to operate and have access to various devices that can enable them in everyday life. General household items like the telephone and radio can now be modified to have talking keyboards or large buttons to make daily living easier, including spoken programme guides for the television.
A range of assistive technology products has been developed for blind or partially-sighted individuals, from the more traditional aids (e.g. long cane, large-print reading material, talking books) to new computer-based technologies such as text-to-speech software, voice recognition and screen magnifiers.
VizWiz
VizWiz lets blind users recruit remote sighted workers to help them with visual problems in real-time. Users take a picture with their phone, then speak.
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TV - Freeview
Smart Talkis a Freeview box developed to allow blind and partially sighted people to gain enjoyment from digital television. On-screen information is spoken aloud to the customer, including programme guides and menus. Users can change the speed at which the text is read out, as well as the colour and size of the text on the programme guide.
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Audible books
DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) players play DAISY audible books and replace the old audio books on cassette tape format. Audio books can be obtained from the RNIB's talking book service.
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Specialised equipment for partially sighted
UK based company specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of innovative aids for the blind and partially sighted.
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Talking photo album
Insert photos into 24 transparent 'envelopes' and record 10-second messages for each. Holds standard 4"x 6" photos or symbols, drawings, newspapers clippings or text. Great for stories, communication books, step by step instructions and more. The user simply squeezes the play button to activate the speech.
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Talking clock
Provides different languages and tells you the time.
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Talking dictation centre clock
Daily reminder to take medication. Provides four alarms throughout the day.
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Vibrating alarm pad
Place under your pillow - suitable for hearing and sight loss.
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Pen friend voice labeller
Labels tins in the cupboard to allow blind people and those with difficulty reading to identify what is in the cupboard or identifying clothes, washable labels, etc.
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Audible and vibrating liquid level indicator
Place the indicator to the side of the cup and it will beep/vibrate when the level of liquid is reached.
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Talking measuring jug
A voice announces the measurement required in cups, ounces, millilitres, etc.
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Talking food thermometer
Talking food thermometer Announces temperature of food.
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Jar and can opener
Hands-free, automatically opens jars and tins.
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Screen magnifier
Portable magnifier, large print operating buttons. 1.5 - 8x magnification.
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Dyslexic read light
Overlays for use in conjunction with a Kindle/iPad. Provides different coloured sheets.
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USB memory stick player
Enables a person to listen to music, audio books, local talking newspaper and compact MP3 player.
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Azabat talking computer games
Accessible computer games CD form and is supported by speech software.
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Magnifying filter screen for televisions
Magnifying screens for attachment to flat panel TFT/LCD PC monitors. Comprises: doubled character size; anti-reflective coating; attachment arms adjustable to provide limited control of viewing magnification; screen folds flat for storage or transportation. Optional 15-inch, 17 inch or 19-inch models.
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