Bay Area Disability Network

Archived Technology Reviews and Recommendations

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TV Remote

Screen Magnifier

Monitor stand suggestions

VCR's accessible for people with VI

Voice-driven software for desktop applications

I'm a product design student (specializing in products for people with visual impairments). I'm doing research about various consumer products for a presentation I'm giving. Has anyone have experience with a VCR or accessory that is accessible to people who are dealing with vision loss, or are completely blind? I only have seen in catalogs the remotes with large buttons and a voice activated one (I'm dubious about using these for programming since different VCR's have different programming procedures

Did you try the product search on the Abledata website? http://www.abledata.com/ They have a low vision category, but it only seems to have the voice activated VCRs that you were talking about. I've also seen large button remotes in the Adaptivation catalog. http://www.adaptivation.com/utr.htm

What voice-driven software can people recommend for use by someone who writes a lot at her computer and whose manual dexterity is seriously constrained by arthritis? I'm thinking about software that responds to voice commands instead of keystrokes and/or mouse movement.
Thanks, in advance!

Congratulations! Your search for software that can translate voice commands and dictation into applications for the PC is about to get interesting (and a little expensive). Seriously, though, there are literally thousands of people using voice-recognition software. Many, like myself, are quadriplegics who cannot use a keyboard to input text. Lawyers and doctors use the software because it is reliably accurate (over 90%) and more economical to use than dictation services. There are some, like my dad, who use it because they type very slowly (the two-finger method) and he typically answers 50 e-mails a day -- the software has reduced the time he spends taking care of e-mails. In fact, users of voice-recognition software are so varied, the program's designers spend a lot of time making sure their program is compatible with most PC-based software applications. Now, you must be wondering which program I'm referring to? Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8.0 is the industry standard for voice-recognition software. Anonymous

Monitor stand suggestions

I have my computer monitor on a stand to raise it to the right height. But every time I crash my chair into the desk, the monitor stands slides down (it's one of those ones that you can adjust the height just by pushing it up or down). Any ideas for ones that are more sturdy, or that lock in place, would be appreciated. Vivian

If you're just mounting an LCD monitor, I have a solution. I used the M7 Grommet Mount from Human Scale. The only problem is, the mount has to be screwed into a table or desktop (it doesn't have one of those things that clips it to the side of the table). But it's very sturdy, and adjustable. I'm assuming here that you're using an LCD monitor - the old fashioned CRT monitors are so heavy, I doubt ANY stand would hold them securely and be adjustable.

Screen Magnifier
Does anyone have suggestions for a screen magnifier? We have to use laptops at work with very small screens; the custom software program the we use has a large number of text fields that we have to enter data into. We are all starting to get eyestrain and other vision problems. Using another computer or an external monitor isn’t an option. I remember seeing a magnifier that attached to the laptop screen. I’d like to have some suggestions for our manager when we talk to her about the problems. Thanks Patricia

You might try ZoomText. It enlarges the text and any on-screen objects from very small increments to a very large ones. It will reduce the picture, so you will not get a full screen-shot, but if you are working in fields it will focus on the field you are currently involved with and then can be set to move along with your cursor to the next focus point on your screen. I have to use Filemaker Pro at work and use my ZoomText for this program as it is not speech accessible. You can also use Windows built-in Magnifier, which is in the Applications Menu under Accessibility option. You can also use the Accessibility Wizard to enlarge the monitor screen settings. You can go into Control Panel and enlarge all fonts, and buttons, and windows and menus to any size you wish, there are also pre-set enlarged schemes available. Outside of these suggestions, and these are only for a PC, it might be time for speech software. Good Luck, Debbie

The cheapest solution is to experiment with the settings built into the operating system. This may enlarge the screen enough for your purposes. If you need help with this there are several places that can assist you. The Center for Accessible Technology (510)841-3224 is located in Berkeley – They have a drop in lab (but I’m not sure when they have it) Check the following web sites for help on adjusting the built in features. Apple: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/vision/
Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/opsblind.asp

TV Remote

My 10 year old would dearly love to have a remote control for the television that she could use. She has cerebral palsy, and her fine motor coordination is affected. She uses the computer with a regular keyboard. We turned off the key repeat and she uses the accessibility option, “Sticky Keys” so that she can perform two key commands and make capital letters using one finger. However, she is a mess with the TV Remote, the buttons are just too close together. Do you know of any “adapted” TV remotes? Thanks, San Ramon Mom

Dynamic Living has two different TV remotes that should work. The "Oversized TV Remote" which they say is good for blind people, people with arthritis and limited mobility. They also say it’s almost impossible to misplace or lose. Its 8 1/2 inches long and 6" wide, and it's shaped like a capital letter "I". (I sometimes mistake it for the dog's rawhide chew toy - it’s enormous.) The buttons are almost an inch across. It costs about $40. The nicest thing is, the number buttons are round, and the function buttons are square, and the channel and volume buttons are triangular - so it is easy to feel the difference. The other is the Big Button Universal Remote. It's shaped much more like a standard remote (rectangular) but has big buttons, and the same shapes for the buttons. (888) 940-0605 or http://www.dynamic-living.com/remote.htm (They also make a "simplified remote" that only has 6 large buttons, which is not only good for people with low vision but also for people who get confused by having a remote with 30 buttons on it) Good Luck, Ed
Here is a great resource that may have what you are looking for: Yookan Tookan has this device- Description Simple remote! Fewer, larger buttons makes this TV remote easier to use. Has 6 buttons: on/off, channel up/down, volume up/down, and mute. Works on most TV's. Universal Large Button Remote Product #1032 Price - 17.95 They are just a phone call away at our toll-free number (1-888-663-9396) or you can email us at martha@youcantoocan.com. If you prefer, they would be happy to send a Free Catalog with their top 200 products. (And don't give up if you can't find what you want. They have much more in stock than they are bringing to you through their computer store today. Watch them as they grow!!! Rebecca Elwood

Bay Area Disability Network

Archived Technology Reviews and Recommendations

(see also technology advice)

What voice-driven software can people recommend for use by someone who writes a lot at her computer and whose manual dexterity is seriously constrained by arthritis? I'm thinking about software that responds to voice commands instead of keystrokes and/or mouse movement. Thanks, in advance!

Monitor stand suggestions

TV Remote

What voice-driven software can people recommend for use by someone who writes a lot at her computer and whose manual dexterity is seriously constrained by arthritis? I'm thinking about software that responds to voice commands instead of keystrokes and/or mouse movement.
Thanks, in advance!