Hardware and Software Resources

The following are links to different web sites that contain information about assistive technology products. This web site is divided by the assistive technology products for easier access. This web site is neither inclusive of all possible assistive technology products nor by citing these suggested these products are better than others. These products are for an overall review and may very greatly among each other. For example scan read systems may range in price from $1300 to $50. Quality of the product of is dependent upon user needs and the job task.

Hardware

• Close Circuit Television (CCTV)
  A Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a video magnification system consisting of a video screen interfaced with a video camera. Video magnification is achieved in two ways - the electronic conversion from the small camera imager to the larger display screen and the optical effect of the cameras zoom lens. The CCTV system provides high contrast, inverse video display, gray scale, false colors, natural colors, and/or control of contrast level and brightness.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  Sighted Electronics: http://www.sighted.com/english/english.htm
  Enhanced Vision Systems: http://www.enhancedvision.com
  Telesensory: http://www.telesensory.com/products2-1.html
  Clarity Solutions: http://www.clarityaf.com/index2.htm
  Magnisight: http://www.magnisight.com/
  


• Braille and Embossers
  Braille is a system of touch reading for the blind which employs embossed dots evenly arranged in quadrangular letter spaces or cells. In each cell, it is possible to place six dots, three high and two wide. By selecting one or several dots in characteristic position or combination, 63 different characters can be formed.” Source: Braille Authority of North America (BANA)
  
  • Braille Embosser
  A Braille Embosser is a hardware device for "printing" a hard copy of a text document in Braille. A Braille translation software program is required to translate the text from the computer into Braille. Most Braille translation software programs can translate material into several grades or versions of Braille.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  Freedom Scientific: http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/embossers.asp
  Index Braille: http://www.braille.se/index.htm
  Enabling Technologies: http://www.brailler.com/
  


• Refreshable Braille Displays
  Refreshable Braille Displays are electronic devices that are used to read text that a computer sends to the monitor. The device is connected to the computer by a serial cable and produces Braille output on the Braille display. Refreshable Braille displays only read one line of text at a time. These displays generally include directional keys which allow the user to navigate through a document.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  ALVA Refreshable Braille: http://www.visioncue.com/products_01.asp
  Freedom Scientific: http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/displays.asp
  Reha Papenmeier: http://www.papenmeier.de/reha/products/prode.htm
  

Software

• Braille Translator
  A Braille translation software program is required to translate the text from the computer into Braille. Most Braille translation software programs can translate material into several grades or versions of Braille.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  Duxbury Brailler: Mac/Win http://www.duxburysystems.com/
  Megadots: Win http://www.duxburysystems.com/megadots.asp
  


• OCR Software
  Optical character recognition (OCR) is the process of converting an image of text, such as a scanned paper document or electronic fax file, into computer-editable text. The text in an image is not editable: the letters are made of tiny dots (pixels) that together form a picture of text. During OCR, the software analyzes an image and converts the pictures of the characters to editable text based on the patterns of the pixels in the image. After OCR, you can export the converted text and use it with a variety of word-processing, page layout and spreadsheet applications.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  Omni Page: Win http://www.nuance.com/products/
  Text Cloner Pro: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/TCP/Text_cloner_pro.htm
  


• Scan and Text Readers
  A scanner/reader converts typewritten or typeset material into clearly spoken synthesized speech. Text can be read immediately, stored on computer disk, saved into a word processing application, or prepared for Braille production.” Source: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the TRICARE Management Activity
  VERA: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/scanners_vera.asp
  Complete Reading System: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/CRS/Completereadingsystem.htm
  Kurzweil 3000: Mac http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000mac.asp
  Kurzweil 3000: Win http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000win.asp
  OpenBook: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_open.asp
  Scan and Read Lite: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/snrp/snr_lite.htm
  Scan and Read Pro: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/snrp/SNR_PRO.htm
  WYNN: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/index.asp
  


• Screen Magnification
  Screen magnification softwares are used by people with visual disabilities to access information on a computers screen. The software enlarges the information on the screen by pre-determined incremental factor. Most screen magnification software has the flexibility to magnify the full screen, parts of the screen or provide a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or pointer. These programs also often allow for inverted colors, enhanced pointer viewing and tracking options.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  Dolphin Supernova: Win http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/products/supernova.htm
  Inlarge: Mac http://www.aagi.com/catalogue/ProductVersion.asp?502020
  MAGic: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_magic.asp
  MAGNUS: Win http://www.screenreader.co.uk/pages/magnice.htm
  ZoomText Xtra: Win http://www.aisquared.com/
  


• Screen Readers
  A Screen Reader is the commonly used name for Voice Output Technology. Hardware and software produce synthesized voice output for text displayed on the computer screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on the keyboard.” Source: Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  JAWS: Dos/Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp
  HAL: Win http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/products/hal.htm
  LOOKOUT Screen Reader: Win http://www.screenreader.co.uk/pages/look_out.htm
  Window-Eyes: Win http://www.gwmicro.com
  


• Text Readers
  Text-to-Speech software is used to convert words from a computer document (e.g. word processor document, web page) into audible speech spoken through the computer speaker. This would be helpful to people who need or want aural verification of what they are seeing in print. Text-to-speech technology can be integrated with OCR systems. Text to Speech software is different from Screen Reading technology in that it does not read any system information (such as file structure or alter boxes).” : Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  UReader: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/UReaderPlus/UreaderPlus.htm
  Text-to-Audio: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/TTA/texttoaudio.htm
  Talking Calculator: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/calc/talkingcalc.htm
  


• Voice Recognition
  Speech Recognition Software: Allows users to "type" by using voice alone or in conjunction with the mouse or keyboard. These systems provide users with the capability to create text and operate a computer simply by speaking. These systems learn the user's voice and speaking style. Because the system learns the user's voice, it can accommodate individuals with accents and speech impairments. Voice recognition systems allow users who cannot type to create memos, reports, and spreadsheets easily by speaking instead of typing.” Source: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the TRICARE Management Activity
  Dragon Naturally Speaking: Win http://www.dragonsys.com/naturallyspeaking/
  Dragon Naturally (other languages): Win http://www.dragonsys.com/naturallyspeaking/international/
  ViaVoice for Mac: Mac http://www.nuance.com/viavoice/osx/
  


• Writing Tools and Word Prediction
  “Word prediction technology is used to assist with text entry. These software packages predict the word you are typing and the next word based on word frequency and context. They may also include features such as spell checking as you type, speech synthesis, and hotkeys for frequently used words. Word processors give immediate feedback of words and text.” : Adaptive Technology Resource Centre
  Write Outloud: Mac/Win http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm
  Co-Writer: Mac http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm
  ViaVoice for Windows: http://www.nuance.com/viavoice/pro/
  Talking Word Processor: Win http://www.premier-programming.com/TWP/Talking%20Word%20Procesor.htm
  WYNN: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/products/wynn.asp
  


• Web Readers
  “Similar to screen readers these programs are specialized for web and email screens. They synthesized voice output for text displayed on the computer screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on the keyboard.”
  Connect Outloud: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_connect.asp
  WYNN: Win http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/index.asp
  


• Adaptive Devices
  “Numerous products are available for use by persons who cannot use a standard mouse. Trackballs, ergonomically-designed mice, and touch-sensitive pads are substitute pointing devices that require less motion on the user’s part and better positioning with respect to the keyboard. Often alternative pointing devices are integrated into the keyboard.”
  Big Switch: Mac/Win http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm
  Discover: Board: Win http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm
  Discover: Kenx: Mac/Win http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm
  Discover: Screen: Mac/Win http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm
  Kensington Track Balls: Mac/Win http://us.kensington.com/html/6270.html
  KeyLargo: Mac http://www.donjohnston.com/catalog/catalog.htm