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Blind Web Surfing
According to the American Foundation for the Blind there are 10 million blind or visually impaired Americans. Of this group only about 200,000 (who cannot read print) use the Internet.
More and more Internet developers are producing websites that are accessible to those with poor eyesight. Many webpages now offer a 'large type' option. Some resourceful users who have difficulty reading the screen resort to printing everything in very large type. Google now offers an 'Accessible Search' feature whereby it ranks search results based on the simplicity of the webpage layout: the easiest-to-read sites appear on the first page. Cool!
Innovative voice-generating software can read screen content but it is not a foolproof system.
Freedom Scientific has a full catalog of adaptive solutions, including several refreshable braille displays marketed under the brand name JAWS. Prices vary between $1400-$7000. These devises convert screen content into braille characters. Again, there can be technical wrinkles when links are encountered.
Finally, VISTA, Microsoft's upcoming next-generation operating system, is supposed to be loaded with a variety of user-friendly assistive devices that will convert screen content and email alerts into an audible format.
Reference: 'Web Sites Improve Service for Blind People'. Wall Street Journal, 20 Jul 2006, page D1.
Related Topics: WebMD Video: Tabletop Reader Helps the Visually Impaired, Eyeglasses Can Be Hazardous
More and more Internet developers are producing websites that are accessible to those with poor eyesight. Many webpages now offer a 'large type' option. Some resourceful users who have difficulty reading the screen resort to printing everything in very large type. Google now offers an 'Accessible Search' feature whereby it ranks search results based on the simplicity of the webpage layout: the easiest-to-read sites appear on the first page. Cool!
Innovative voice-generating software can read screen content but it is not a foolproof system.
Freedom Scientific has a full catalog of adaptive solutions, including several refreshable braille displays marketed under the brand name JAWS. Prices vary between $1400-$7000. These devises convert screen content into braille characters. Again, there can be technical wrinkles when links are encountered.Finally, VISTA, Microsoft's upcoming next-generation operating system, is supposed to be loaded with a variety of user-friendly assistive devices that will convert screen content and email alerts into an audible format.
Reference: 'Web Sites Improve Service for Blind People'. Wall Street Journal, 20 Jul 2006, page D1.
Related Topics: WebMD Video: Tabletop Reader Helps the Visually Impaired, Eyeglasses Can Be Hazardous
