Adaptive Technology

Jaime Siu

CIS 1006

Adaptive Technology for the Visually Impaired

Instructor Tim Powers

12/15/20011

Adaptive Technology for the Visually Impaired

A patient of mine, Kelly Jones, has been clinically diagnosed as legally blind for about 3 years. Over the years her vision has worsened and simple task, such as sending emails, has become challenging. As an Occupational Therapy Assistant I have worked closely with Kelly in trying to find an adaptive tool to help her use the computer. After further research, I have compiled the top three products to assist Kelly and other visually impaired peoples while using a computer.

The first, and probably most accessible product, was the Microsoft Windows Screen Magnifier. Virtually the Magnifier augments the words on the screen to become more visible. This is how it is used, "To open it quickly, click Start, and then type Magnifier. You can also change the screen resolution, which adjusts the clarity, size, and amount of things that fit on your computer monitor” (Microsoft Windows 2011). The Magnifier is a useful tool that has been utilized by Kelly on a daily basis. Kelly is now able to read the text on the screen and zoom in and out to her liking, which becomes the most useful when reading or writing emails. The Magnifier comes pre-installed on Microsoft Windows based computers. It is one of, if not the most basic and easily accessible tools available.

The second program I came across is Software called Kurzweil 1000 which is extremely beneficial to the visually impaired. The software actually speaks aloud to users while typing and acts as a learning mechanism when compiling documents. As Kurzweil put it themselves, “it provides users with document creation and editing as well as study skills capabilities for note taking, summarizing and outlining text” (Kurzweil Educational Systems Inc. 2011). With this software Kelly is given the ability to hear the words on the screen...