An examination of the different types of Assistive Technology that exists for people with Accessibility challenges. Brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology.
5. Windows
Narrator &
Magnifier
Narrator: Windows Key, Control Enter – Toggle On/Off
Magnifier: Windows Key, + to turn on
Windows Key, Esc to turn off.
Links
Windows Accessibility Centre
Getting Started with Windows Narrator
Getting Started with Windows Magnifier
7. MAC
Voiceover &
Zoom
Voiceover: Command F5 – Toggle On/Off
Zoom: Option Command F5 – Toggle On/Off
Links
MAC Vision Accessibility Centre
Getting Started with Voiceover
Zoom Settings Guide
8. iPad
Voiceover &
Zoom
To set up Accessibility Shortcut: Go to Settings > General
> Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, then select the
features you use the most.
To use Accessibility Shortcut: Triple-click the Home button.
Links
iPad Vision Accessibility Centre
9. Android
Talkback,
Brailleback &
Magnification
Talkback: Hold both up and down volume keys for 3
seconds – Toggles on/off
Magnification – Settings – Accessibility - Magnification
Links
Android Accessibility Centre
Talkback
Brailleback
Magnification Features
13. Tablet / Phone Lenses and
Apps
iOS – Magnifying Glass with Light App
Android – Magnifying Glass with Light App
Recommendation – Search for low vision app in
the appropriate store, read the writeups and
reviews before picking one.
Talk about expanded offerings and platforms
The fact that more kids are coming with devices and that these can be powerful AT platforms in their own right
Odds are you’ve been using JAWS and Zoomtext – Great solutions
Microsoft has devoted considerable resources to updating Narrator
Last update April 2018
Now a viable option for basic computer access
Even works in safe mode now – including full installation
Works with office
Full featured,
Freeware
Used by many people
Good alternative to commercial screen readers
Downside – because it’s freeware many professional offices won’t allow it.
Last update 2017
Last update 2017
Reality – many more accessible programs are developed for iOS, so there are less VI Android users overall.
Brailleback has to be installed from the play store
Reality – Chromevox has the least screen reading features of any of these platforms
It does include braille support for USB Braille displays
There are dozens
Students like them because they are inobtrusive
Typically they don’t offer distance viewing
Most students simply snap and zoom
As a live magnifier phones don’t focus close enough typically and some people may want high contrast which is where the apps come in.
There are add-on/clip on lenses for both close up and distance that can add functionality.
Downside – battery killer
Some apps are free, some are feature limited unless you buy the app.
Downside – grainy image on larger magnification
Sight Enhancement Calculators run from $430 to $655
Mathtrax - Screenreader friendly, graphing designed for grades 6-12.
Limelighter from Dancing Dots is the gold standard for large print music devices, but they range from $1060 (software) to $3960 (top end hardware)
Canute is strictly an E-Reader at this point. Not a braille display for computers. – in pre-production testing now.
Orbit has been under development for a few years and has yet to make it fully to market. $450 USD
Braille Blaster and Liblouis are both freeware.
Braille Blaster is based on Liblouis but has a more refined interface
In addion to OCR, MS Seeing AI will also do, person recognition, scene recognition, currency, light, color and handwriting. An android version is supposedly in the works as well.
Big difference though – Seeing AI requires a data connection, KNFB does not.