Whether you’re deep into the semester, or joining in on the variety of online learning programs available year-round, truly amazing assistive technology for low vision students is available to make learning accessible. Here’s a list of some of the most popular — and get this, you may already own one of the devices, you just need to learn the technology inside to make it a useful part of your life!
- Large Print Keyboards offer high contrast – either white on black, or yellow on black – for computing
- Talking Devices like watches, clocks, calculators help you be efficient
- Smart Speakers like the Echo Dot – along with an app – uses your voice commands to access information, music, etc.
- Voice Assistant Apps like Alexa, Google Talk, and Siri can audibly deliver just about any information you need
- Devices like tablets, iPads and smart phones have many built-in accessibility features like GPS, voiceover and magnifiers
- Apps for visually impaired like BARD for downloading audio books; or Be My Eyes and Aira offer live assistance through your smart phone lens
- JAWS, Zoomtext, Victor Readers for blind users allow online content to be read aloud and more!
And, while this list may seem overwhelming, learning how to use assistive technology for low vision students, is just a matter of getting connected to an organization that offers training.
Braille Institute offers instruction for a wide range of mainstream and adaptive technology devices and third-party apps. And, best of all, it’s free! In addition to online appointments with Technology Specialists, Braille Institute offers a variety of monthly workshops focused on technology like Optical Character Recognition apps that can help you by reading documents out loud. Some workshops are also available in Spanish.
Technology is a game changer for everyone with any type of vision loss and getting started learning is made easy with Braille Institute. To learn more, call 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553).
One-on-one consultations, classes and workshops are offered virtually at present so that you can get support and participate from the comfort and safety of your own home by either computer or phone.
