Visual ImpairmentPresented By:

Christine,

Suzanne,

Hugo, and

Sue,

The terms partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind are used in the educational context to describe students with visual impairments. They are defined as follows:

1. "Partially sighted" indicates some type of visual problem has resulted in a need for special education;

2. "Low vision" generally refers to a severe visual impairment, not necessarily limited to distance vision. Low vision applies to all individuals with sight who are unable to read the newspaper at a normal viewing distance, even with the aid of eyeglasses or contact lenses. They use a combination of vision and other senses to learn, although they may require adaptations in lighting or the size of print, and, sometimes, braille;

3. "Legally blind" indicates that a person has less than 20/200 vision in the better eye or a very limited field of vision (20 degrees at its widest point); and

4. Totally blind students learn via braille or other non-visual media.

• Visual impairment is the consequence of a functional loss of vision, rather than the eye disorder itself. Eye disorders which can lead to visual impairments can include retinal degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, muscular problems that result in visual disturbances, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, congenital disorders, and infection.

• American Printing House for the Blind: Christine• National Federation for the Blind: Sue• BlindNet: Hugo• TBD: Suzanne

• ALVA MPO 5500• Goodfeel Braille Music Translator• (Christine)• OutSPOKEN for Windows• HUMBUG• (Sue)• Commercial Companies & Services• (Hugo)• *TBD*• (Suzanne)

American Printing House for the Blind

• The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) offers a wide variety of equipment and services for people living with visual impairments.

• The organization was started in 1858 in Kentucky and is the oldest of its kind.  

• APH has products that make educational settings, workplaces, and independent living situations appropriate and accessible for people with visual impairments.

• One of the greatest resources they offer is LOUIS– It contains information on nearly 200,000 titles in accessible

formats including braille, large print, sound recording, and electronic files.

– LOUIS also contains over 4,500 downloadable electronic files which are available for use in braille production.

Link: http://www.aph.org/index.htm

• ALVA MPO 5500The ALVA MPO offers all the cool features of cell phones and personal digital assistants seamlessly integrated with features for blind and visually impaired users. With 20 braille cells, an 8-dot Braille keyboard, a high quality speech synthesizer, and ALVA's Smart-ControlTM user interface, the MPO is unique in design and functionality.

• AgendaAdd, edit, read and delete appointments. Read date and time, set alarms

• NotetakerAdd, edit and delete notes in text format, store and retrieve notes, find text in notes

• GSM Cell PhoneMake and answer phone calls, manual dial, choose phone numbers from contacts, missed calls, received calls or dialed numbers lists, manage phone lists. Read network and phone status

• SMSCompose, edit and store messages, send, receive, answer and forward messages

• CalculatorBasic calculations using plus, minus, times, divide by, and percent

• Address BookAdd, edit, retrieve and delete contact information

• MiscellaneousSynchronize data with computer, customize settings, check battery status and system information

• Braille Terminal applicationAllowing users to use their MPO 5500 as a braille terminal with screenreaders

• E-mail applicationAllowing users to synchronizing their e-mail with a host PC.

• Wireless E-mail applicationAllowing users to send and receive their e-mail through GSM/GPRS.

Link: http://www.visioncue.com/products_06_01.asp

GOODFEEL Braille

Music Translator• Product Category: Braille Translators

• Translates music files into braille. Transcribes instrumental parts, vocal solos, keyboard works and full orchestral scores from beginner through advanced levels.

• GOODFEEL shortens the time musicians have to wait to receive their braille transcriptions from 3 to 8 weeks to 3 to 8 hours or even minutes!

• Students and professionals who read braille music notation will appreciate GOODFEEL's conformance to the standards of braille music notation set by the Music Committee of the Braille Authority of North America.

Link: http://www.ulva.com/Online-Store/Braille-Translation/goodfeel.htm

Services provided by this organization include:

• Toll-free information on all aspects of blindness

• Scholarship assistance to post-secondary students

• Public education awareness• Advocate the improvement of

educational and rehabilitation facilities for the blind

• Support to consumer advocates and legal assistance on matters relating to blindness

• Annual national convention• Publishes The Braille Forum

monthly magazine

The ACB

•Founded in 1961•51 state and regional affiliates•20 national professional and special interest affiliates•Implementation and enforcement of Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990•Advocates for improved education and rehabilitation services for children & adults•Encourage the production of reading materials in accessible media such as braille, recording and large print

American Council of the Blindhttp://www.acb.org/

Trekker 3.0 • Global Positioning

System for the blind and visually impaired

• Digital Maps• Wireless components

available• Meant to be used with

the assistance of guide dogs and canes

• Cost: $1,595.00

Features• Shortcut keys for instant information• Voice activated• Audible step by step directions• Search criteria options

–Postal code, Address, Direction, etc.

• Pinpoints where you are providing directions for area attractions or given locations• Printed Braille maps available• Lightweight, compact

Trekker 3.0 Global Positioning System http://www.humanware.ca/web/en/p_DA_Trekker.asp

Victor Reader Wave• Digital talking book that

allows you to read highly structured school books, reference books, etc.

• MP3 and CD player• Includes earphones &

rechargeable batteries• Cost: $249.00

Features• Familiar telephone-style keypad• Tactile zones• Audio and visual progress bar for reading position• Audio and visual indicators for volume, speed & battery level• Fast speed book navigation• Large screen display• Audio messaging• Lightweight and convenient

Victor Reader Wave, Daisy Talking Bookhttp://www.humanware.ca/web/en/p_DP_VR_Wave.asp -

National Federation of the Blind http://www.nfb.org

Mission is to Improve the Lives of the Visually Impaired through:

• Education• Research• Technology• Advocacy

Resources for:• day-to-day living• Employment• Technology• Recreation• Education• Mentoring

Links Include:•NFB NEWSLINE –Free telephone newspaper Service- •National Center for Blind Youth in Science -Lesson Plans in Science & Math- -Teaching Tips- -Tools for Students- - Life Experiences from Blind Scientists- •Careers Section -Internships Available- - Life Experiences from Blind Scientists & Engineers

OutSPOKEN for Windows-

• http://www.tsbvi.edu/technology

Screen Reader for Windows Features Include: - Grades 1 & 2 Braille - - Enables user to utilize World Wide Web Browsers & Software - Full Braille access to icons & graphic controls - Identify icons, buttons & other controls in a Graphics Voice - Identification of all fonts & sizes - Provides full email access - Enables user to work with spreadsheets, installers & CD-

ROMS

Talking Typing Teacher

http://lssproducts.com/prodinfo

Features Include:

- Interactive program for Windows that teaches typing skills - All features narrated with pre-recorded human dialog so it is easy to understand - All directions on-screen as well as spoken - Games & drills - Teachers can create customized lesson plans - Full support for Large-print users - Multiple Student Access

Blind NetBlind Net was established in 1992.

Blind Net is an educational site for teachers, parents, and friends of the blind that was created to assist them with research on products. This web site is an superb place for people to start their research for the blind. What makes this site special is the fact that it links many existing web sites into one central location. Blind Net does not claim to have all the answers and information available about the blind, however the information that it provides will help you understand the lives that the blind lead. One great feature that Blind Net has on the site, is that they allow their users to add the names of links of companies that provide products and services for the blind. http://www.blind.net/

"Blind People Need Equality, Not Random Acts Of Senseless Kindness"

Blind Net slogan

MAGic 10.0 Professional

• With up to 16X magnification in Windows applications and true low vision screen reading, MAGIC is one of the most powerful magnification programs available. Features include talking installation and four configurable magnification views. With optional speech module, MAGIC speaks documents, web pages, dialogs, menus, and includes typing echo, so you can hear what you type. Mouse echo reads words as you point to them with your mouse.

No Speech-$395.00

With Speech-$595.00

Tiger Tactile Braille Embosser

With the Tiger, Braille text and graphics can be printed in the same document while maintaining document formatting. The Tiger has the highest embossing resolution available on the market today. It is also the only embosser that uses a standard Windows graphics capable printer driver, allowing printing directly from any application running in the Windows environment as well as printing over a network. The Tiger can print on virtually any media: tractor fed and single sheet paper or plastic media. It comes with a Braille translator from Duxbury and speaks all buttons and menus with a choice of languages (English, French, German, Spanish).

Unit Price: $9,750.00