| Computer aids come in many shapes and sizes. They | | | | Windows and Microsoft Office, allow you to enlarge |
| range from decidedly low-tech devices to high-tech | | | | text and icons. |
| software programs which enable low vision sufferers | | | | You can customise the background and text colors as |
| to do the same computer tasks as normal-sighted | | | | well in order to achieve high contrast color schemes |
| people. Perhaps, as a non-computer user, you simply | | | | best suited to your needs. Black text on a white |
| want to scan a magazine article into your computer | | | | background is generally recommended as the most |
| that the PC will then read out loud. Computer aids will | | | | vision-friendly. |
| help you perform this and similar non-computer tasks. | | | | However, several major software companies now |
| As you use the correct magnifier at the correct | | | | manufacture high-tech computer aids. These will help |
| strength for regular reading activities, so the same | | | | you, not only to read text and recognise pictures and |
| low-tech vision aids which help with regular reading can | | | | graphics with ease, but also to send and receive |
| also be used as a computer aid to view the computer | | | | emails, create documents and surf the web. Some |
| screen. Magnifiers come in a variety of forms. There | | | | software also offers large-print displays of important |
| are hand magnifiers, free-standing magnifiers, some | | | | navigation items such as the cursor location. |
| that look like mini telescopes and others that can be | | | | Many of these high-tech devices use an easily-installed |
| worn around the neck. These can be readily adapted | | | | program from a CD, which will first scan text from |
| for computer use. | | | | your files or emails and then read these aloud to you |
| Another type of magnifier which can greatly benefit | | | | by a voice which sounds human and not synthetic. |
| someone with low vision is a screen magnifier. This is | | | | This conversion of text to sounds has been much |
| a simple hardware option that allows you to use your | | | | improved, and problems of inaccuracy and inaudibility |
| existing software on your computer. A relatively | | | | have largely been eliminated. |
| inexpensive option, it displays both text and images | | | | These "talking computers" represent some of the |
| much larger and more boldly than a conventional | | | | more popular computer aids. It's easy to see why. |
| screen. | | | | Voice-activated computers obviate the need to type |
| Moving from the screen to the keyboard, there are a | | | | altogether, and this is a real plus for those with low |
| number of low-tech computer aids which can be very | | | | vision. |
| useful, especially if you are a good touch typist. Bump | | | | The concentration needed to read the text on a |
| dots can be placed on the control, alt and delete keys | | | | computer screen is tiring, and is especially so if you |
| which will make these frequently-used keys much | | | | have a visual impairment. As the majority of low vision |
| easier to locate. | | | | sufferers are seniors, keyboarding can also be difficult |
| Similarly, the "f" and "j" keys can be highlighted with a | | | | with arthritic fingers. |
| dot or sticker making it much easier to keep your | | | | If you have difficulty with stiff finger joints or hand |
| fingers correctly positioned for keyboarding. The dots | | | | cramps, but you still prefer to use a mouse, it is a good |
| and stickers provide you with a handy reference point. | | | | idea to try a larger one. Your hand will rest over the |
| Many low vision sufferers use this principle for the | | | | mouse in a more relaxed position which will alleviate |
| telephone: by putting a dot or sticker on the #5, the | | | | any stiffness or discomfort. |
| rest of the numbers are found much more easily. | | | | The mouse can act as a computer aid in a number of |
| The keyboard, itself, can be a problem if you are | | | | additional ways. A wireless mouse will leave you less |
| visually impaired. New, enhanced visability keyboards | | | | restricted for space; a central wheel will allow you to |
| are now available which can help you overcome the | | | | scroll up and down easily with your middle finger, and |
| problem of viewing your keyboard. Often marketed as | | | | alteration of the mouse behavior settings (by clicking |
| a computer aid to help counter the effects of | | | | on the Start menu then the Control Panel and finally |
| computer vision syndrome, but equally useful for low | | | | Mouse) will enable you to slow down aspects of the |
| vision sufferers, the keys are half as large again as | | | | mouse operations. |
| those on conventional keyboards. They are also | | | | There are three settings which are particularly relevant |
| marked with high-contrast lettering for ease of use. | | | | to low vision users. You can slow down the rate you |
| The larger keys, along with a special facility that allows | | | | double-click to open programs or folders which gives |
| a single key to open up the browser or put on an | | | | you greater precision. The pointer speed can also be |
| audio or video function, help make using the computer | | | | slowed down enabling you to follow it more easily, and |
| a much more comfortable experience. The availability | | | | the mouse wheel can be set to scroll the page to the |
| of a wireless version makes for greater comfort still | | | | optimal number of lines the operator is comfortable |
| as your movements are less restricted. Used in | | | | with. |
| conjunction with dots and stickers, these adapted | | | | So, from simple scanning of a magazine article to |
| keyboards can be a real boon for the visually impaired. | | | | creating and using spreadsheets, there is a computer |
| But you don't necessarily have to incur any extra | | | | aid available for low vision sufferers. With so much on |
| costs to make your computer more user-friendly. | | | | offer, low vision should not mean low expectation. |
| Many software programs, including Netscape, Firefox, | | | | |