Why assistive technology?
Assistive technology is a great asset today particularly in the workplace, having access to education, performing academically/ work environment and daily living. Please note that not everyone who is blind or vison impaired avails of or needs access to assistive technology, this can depend on a person’s eye condition (how they can get around things )and if they have enough vision in one eye or both eyes to work with/ without it.
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is particular software/ hardware that can support an individual with sight loss read information better and easier just like a person who has full eyesight. This can include magnification software/ hardware e.g. Zoomtext/ Supernova, screen readers e.g. Jaws, large print calculators and other hardware can include distance cameras and hand held magnifiers.
- Education
In attending lectures/ training courses, assistive technology can help a person living with sight loss to keep up with training material (reading information/ interpreting information) at the same pace as their peers.
In preparing for exams assistive technology can also greatly help reduce the risk of visual fatigue with and learning can be more sustainable. Everyone has their own preferred method of learning and where an equal opportunity to education is available a person with sight loss can succeed.
2. Employment
From experience, assistive technology can greatly help in getting tasks completed quicker where it can help to process information a lot quicker. It can also greatly help with concentration/ focus on tasks more where there’s less eye strain/ visual fatigue to depend on reading where a screen reader is available. A screen reader can read aloud information directly from a computer screen supporting someone with sight loss as needed.
At home, hand held magnifier can be of great benefit in reading labels of food items, books and post e.g. bank statements. It can make life easier having material more accessible and in a font that can suitable to a person’s needs.
3. Everyday living
People may need different levels of support at different times whether it’s to succeed in employment, education and/ or daily living. The use of assistive technology continues to play a huge role in performance and enhance the lives of people living with sight loss. Assistive technology also continues to improve today and can be a great support to people with sight loss. I personally find the use of screen readers, magnification software and in built accessibility features very helpful making work, education & daily living a lot easier.
Please feel free to leave any comments or feedback on the post today. What did you think of it and are you interested in learning more about assistive technology?
Seeing Beyond Blindness 