Assistive technology offers people with visual and hearing impairments
the ability to live and work without limitations. Various disabilities restrict
individuals from a regular lifestyle. Assistive technology (AT) provides these
people with independence while performing everyday activities that they are
usually unable to perform. There are different methods and tools that help
disabled people to perform casual and specific tasks during their interaction
with the technology. Web designers use various techniques in order to give
access for users with visual and hearing disabilities.
Assistive Technology for
Visual Impairments
Reduced vision and sight give limited abilities to explore the
environment, and that may affect early motor development. Student with visual
and hearing impairments cannot share the same abilities with their sighted
peers. Therefore, vision loss may become a reason for their low self-esteem and
appropriate social skills. Assistive technology provides students with visual
and hearing impairments a perfect ability to develop social interaction skills,
visual efficiency, independent living skills, career education skills, and
orientation and mobility among others. As a result, students can learn and live
at practically the same rate as other children in a class and have normal
relationships with people and objects in their environment. Due to the Internet
abilities, practically everything may be bought over there. A screen reader is
a perfect device for those who have visual impairments. Visual technology
special software provides the opportunity for blind people to take advantage of
the web by speaking what is on the screen. Special browsers may be used in case
when users cannot read a web page. Many schools offer various programs for students
with visual disabilities. For example, interactive whiteboards and handheld
computer devices specifically designed for students with visual impairments
have been provided in different specialized schools. Though the loss of sight
and vision cannot be fully compensated by the use of assistive technology, they
can give an advantage to acquire knowledge by using methods other than sight
and vision. Many individuals with the following impairments can feel more
comfortable in life due to assistive technology.
Assistive technology gives an access to students with visual impairments
through a number of different adaptive devices, computer adaptations and
optical devices. Computer hardware and software are constantly changing and
advancing. So-called “Braille note-takers” can be connected to the printer and
are able to print a copy. Another adaptive device, which can produce Braille
and translate it to the text, is an electronic braillewriter. Optical character
reader is a proper computer adaption, which helps convert printed text into a
file using a special software and equipment. Very often, blind students like to
use calculators with voice output. Hand-held and pocket magnifiers, for
example, are portable optical devices with special calculated lenses, which provide
distortion-free viewing. Positioning of handle makes it suitable for
left-handed users. This device must be matched with the individual level of
vision. These technologies are very specialized and must be adapted to the
individual’s environmental requirements. Telescope is used to view objects for
individuals with partial visual impairments in order to see images. By using
assistive technology, students may improve their studies in the class and feel
independent and proficient.
Assistive Technology for
Hearing Impairments
Computer assisted or speech recognition technology is a type of
assistive device, which is designed to aid individuals with hearing imparities
in classroom activities. The main idea of such device is to type into the
computer what is being said. Special speech recognition software converts
spoken language into written text. It has proven that this device is very
effective in the classroom to study such subjects as physics, chemistry and
engineering science. There are different speech recognition programs, which
help people with hearing imparities to master a foreign language. Some computer
programs include 160, 000 words. Some individuals with hearing
disabilities may face challenges in case the device is not properly used or selected.
Modern hearing aids make use of different assistive technologies in
order to provide students with disabilities to access the educational
programming in a classroom setting. There are some examples of accommodations
and assistive devices for students with hearing impairments such as hearing
aids, closed captioning, cochlear implants, text telephones, visual alert
signalers, and hearing loops. Hearing loop, for example, can be portable or
permanently installed. It reduces background noise and amplifies sound. A
cochlea implant is a controversial device, which is used in people with severe
hearing loss. It is often cold a bionic ear. A cochlea implant helps students
to hear sounds, speech, music, and hear better in a noisy environment. Young
peers may enjoy music and feel more comfortable; they can even use this device
while swimming. Hearing aids is a commonly used assistive device, which is
positioned behind the ear or in the ear. Depending upon the level of hearing
abilities, individuals may hear sounds and even very loud speech. Modern
hearing aids are digital aids that offer individuals with hearing impairments
to hear speech and background noise equally.
By using assistive technology, students may improve their studies in the
class and feel independent and proficient. Modern hardware and software are
adapted to the problems of individuals with visual and hearing impairments in
order to make feel them more comfortable in everyday classroom setting.
Different methods and tools that help disabled people to perform casual and
specific tasks during their interaction with the technology. Web designers use
various techniques in order to give access for users with visual and hearing
disabilities.
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