What are some ways that technology and the Internet can be adapted for those who are blind, deaf, or both?
July 2, 2009 by Question
Filed under Tech Answers
Tomorrow (June 1) is the anniversary of Helen Keller’s death, which got me thinking about disabities and the Internet. There are already a number of assistive technology devices to help blind and deaf people use computers and access the Internet, but what do you think the future holds?
Well–as to current technology, I’m typing this using a combinedd magnifiication/voice synthesizer!
For persons with visual impairments, there’s really two issues. One is compliance. Many websites continue to ignore the laws regarding accessibility–and that makes it difficult for disabled users. The laws are in place–the problem is lackluster enforcement on the part o f the federal agencies.
The other–specifically technical–is portable systems. I don’t mean laptops–they work the same as desktops. However, many persons with disabilities (including those with impaired motion as well as vision) cannot use the various cellphones, blackberrys, etc. First of all, they hare two small–and manufacturers are reluctent to market adaptend versions with large keys, readouts, etc. When you add in trying to use such a device w/o being able to see prompts adnd menus, these gadgets are all but worthless.
That’s particularly troubling for older persons. Studies have shown that a cellphone can be an invaluable assistive device–and a lifeline–for the aging population. But many are all but denied this option bcause there are no adaptive versions available.
For the hearing impaired, basic access is obviously not a problem. However, as voice input/output become more common, that is beginning to change. One of the more exciting efforts is research that can translate speech into signed English into mages on the computer screen (this may also apply toASL as well, but since it is a completely different language, not an analogue of English, that may take a lot longer).
Another technology–already available–are interpretive software software packages that can read scanned documents (e.g. PDF files) for blind users (this is handy for sightend users as well; such files can be saved as regular text/Word files). This is already becoming a common application among non-disabled users–one of many "crossover" technologies that sttarted as assistive technology and found wider applications.