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Low Vision Aids
Today there are many devices to enable people
with low vision to read and communicate
with
ease. Some of the more common
ones are:
- Magnifiers - these enlarge items for easier
reading. The basic styles are:
- desktop - Large units that sit on a table
or desk and use a video camera
to produce
an image on a screen. They
can be used for
books, magazines, letters,
etc. and usually
come with a variety of options
including
a color screen for viewing
colored material.
- portable - Smaller desktop models that fit
in a carrying case for moving to different
locations. Options might include connections
to a desktop model and/or TV for a larger
viewing screen.
- hand-held - Small magnifying lens that can
fit into a purse or small bag, often with
a light.
- computer software - Software on a computer
that "reads" documents, web pages,
and e-mail to the user. Options can include
echoing the typing the user does on the computer.
- Note takers - These devices are like PDA's,
usually having a Braille keyboard for entering
data with the output being spoken and/or
in punched in Braille. Some models have digital
maps and GPS abilities to help a solo traveler.
- Scanning readers - Using optical character
recognition, these devices scan printed text
and convert it to speech.
- Other vision aids include large print material,
audio books, currency identification devices,
color identification devices and Braille
aids.
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