North Carolina Vocational Instructors Training in Accessible Learning
HomeDisabilitiesVisual Impairment Site Map

Accommodations

Assigned Readings

Assistive Technology

Classroom Aids

Other

Computer Access

Macintosh Accessibility Features
http://www.apple.com/accessibility

Windows Accessibility Features
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/default.aspx

Linux Accessibility Features
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/other-formats/html_single/Accessibility-HOWTO.html

Talking Typer for Windows
Computer keyboarding and typing training software that speaks and displays lessons on screen.  Includes drills, practice and typing games.  Informational website:  http://www.aph.org

Zoom Caps
Large print adhesive labels for each key on a computer keyboard.  Black-on-ivory or white-on-black.  Informational website:  http://www.maxiaids.com

Braille Keyboard Labels
Used to make a standard keyboard more accessible for visually impaired individuals.  Clear Braille with Braille dots or large print with Braille labels that are placed on each key on a computer keyboard.   Informational websites: http://www.infogrip.com

Screen Magnification Software
Special software programs that are used to magnify all or part of a computer screen in order for persons with low vision to see and use a computer.  Some of these programs also have text-to-speech capabilities to make document reading easier for the low vision user.  Informational websites:

MAGic                                               
http://www.freedomscientific.com

ZoomText Magnifier/ScreenReader  
http://www.aisquared.com

InLARGE for Macintosh
http://www.synapseadaptive.com

Lunar Screen Magnifier                     
http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk

Screen Reader Software
A screen reader program runs in the background and uses a speech synthesizer to communicate information about what is appearing on the computer screen.  This technology reads the screen text, menus, dialogs and controls so that a blind person is able to operate the computer by listening instead of looking at the screen.  Informational websites: 

NonVisual Desktop Access     
http://www.nvda-project.org

Window-Eyes                          
http://www.gwmicro.com

Hal Screen Reader                  
http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk

Jaws for Windows                  
http://www.freedomscientific.com

Thunder                                   
http://www.screenreader.net

Refreshable Braille Display
A Braille display is a tactile device consisting of a row of special 'soft' cells made up of 6 or 8 pins.  Theses pins are controlled electronically to move up and down to display characters as they appear on the display of the source system - usually a computer or Braille notetaker. 

ALVA Refreshable Braille Displays
http://www.visioncue.com/BrailleDisplays.html 
 
Focus Braille Displays
http://www.freedomscientific.com

 

Accessibility StatementCopyright 2009