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Assistive Technology for College Students
who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Screen Magnification: Screen magnification software is used by people with visual impairments to access information on computer screens. The software enlarges information on the screen by incremental factors (2x magnification, 3x up to 20x magnification). Screen magnification programs run simultaneously with the computer's operating system and applications. Most screen magnification programs have the flexibility to magnify the full screen, parts of the screen, or a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or pointer. These programs also allow for inverted colors, enhanced pointer viewing, and tracking options.
| Product |
Vendor |
Website |
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MAGic |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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ZoomText |
Ai Squared |
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BigShot |
Ai Squared |
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Screen Readers: Screen reading software reads aloud everything on computer screens, including text, pull-down menus, icons, dialog boxes, and web pages. Screen readers run simultaneously with the computer's operating system and applications.
Product |
Vendor |
Website |
JAWS |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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Windows-Eyes |
GW Micro |
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ZoomText |
Ai Squared |
Scan/Read Systems: Scan/read systems combine software and a flatbed scanner to read aloud any printed text. Textbook pages, class handouts, and tests can be scanned in and then read aloud by a computer.
Product |
Vendor |
Website |
Kurzweil 1000 |
Kurzweil Educational Systems |
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OpenBook |
Freedom Scientific, Inc., Blind/Low Vision Group |
Portable Notetakers: Lightweight, portable notetakers provide speech output without a visual display and can be connected to printers and computers for printing and uploading text. Braille keyboards and refreshable Braille displays are available for Braille users. A QWERTY keyboard version is available for people who prefer touch-typing.
Product |
Vendor |
Website |
Braille Lite Series |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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Braille 'n Speak |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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Type 'n Speak |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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PacMATE Series |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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Type Lite |
Freedom Scientific, Inc. Blind/Low Vision Group |
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VoiceNote |
Pulse Data |
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BrailleNote |
Pulse Data |
Video Magnifiers: Video magnifiers utilize closed circuit television technology to enlarge written materials and small objects for people with low vision. All printed material from textbook pages to mail can be magnified onto the CCTV for easier viewing.
| Product |
Vendor |
Website |
Prisma |
Freedom Vision |
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Aladdin |
Telesensory |
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Clarity |
Clarity Solutions |
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SmartView |
Pulse Data |
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Flipper |
Enhanced Vision |
Digital Book Readers : Software playback systems are full-featured software packages designed to play RFB&D's AudioPlus CD books on a desktop or laptop computer. They are specially designed with the blind and visually impaired community in mind.
Product |
Vendor |
Website |
eClipseReader |
Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. |
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Victor Reader Soft |
VisuAide |
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PlexTalk |
Plextor |