Talking Word Processors
- Word processors that have a speech facility to enable users to hear the words and sentences as they are being typed. Some also read toolbars and menu’s. They may have a word bank facility to make suggestions.
- Write:Outloud seems to be popular in the UK and can be purchased for between £31 - £71 depending on the number of licenses.
- ‘Getting Started’ manual available online. Also found some third party tutorials. I didn’t find any formal training courses for Write: OUtloud.
Trackballs
- For mobility impaired users, a trackball is a screen navigation device for users who find it difficult to grip a mouse or move it accurately.
- Various costs from £20 +
- No formal training required. Manufacturer instruction manuals probably available. There are video demonstrations on YouTube.
- The primary purpose of a virtual keyboard is to provide an alternative mechanism for disabled users that can not use a physical keyboard
- Built in version with Windows OS, free version by MiloSoft, others include My-T-Touch from $99 and Comfort Software £9.95 (lite) and £19.95 (pro)
- Built in help files with Windows. No support from MiloSoft. Online documentation for My-T-Touch. Online documentation, email support and user forums supplied by Comfort.
Large Size Keyboards
- Useful for visually or mobility impared computer users.
- From £50, various suppliers including ITTools and Fentech Industries.
- Manufacturer instruction manuals.
- Braille displays provide a refreshable tactile output of information represented on the computer screen.
- Expensive! Starting at over £3k for basic display up to almost £7k for larger or more feature rich displays.
- Manufacturer instruction manuals.
Hearing Loop Systems
- Reduces background noise for hearing aid/loop users e.g. can be used in busy public places, or at home watching the television.
- Portable or static hearing loop systems start from £130 +
- Manufacturer instruction manuals.
No comments:
Post a Comment