Assistive Technology 49
Assistive Technology Grants for the Blind
The Association of Blind Citizens is accepting grant applications for funding assistance with assistive technology and software.
Self-Driving Car from Google
Google is creating a self-driving car that can go 25 mph and carry two people. It's currently in prototype testing but they hope to have it on the road this year! Who wants to be a volunteer driver?
Accessible Cell Phone
The Odin VI phone is completely accessible to users who are blind. It's ideal for someone who doesn't want a smartphone but wants the functions of a basic cell phone.
Verizon Creates Navigational Tools to Promote Independence for Blind Users
Being blind means giving up a lot of independence; this new technology from Verizon gives blind people real-time information about their environment, including colors, textures, nav cues, and more, using smartphone technology. And it's portable!
3D Printed Pictures of Space
Astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore are working on a project creating 3D images of photos taken by the Hubble Telescope for people who are visually impaired.
FingerReader from MIT (and other text-to-speech readers)
Devices like the FingerReader from MIT or OrCam allow people with visual impairments to point to text and hear it read back to them. Is this an advancement in accessibility or a threat to braille literacy?
Disney Creates Touch Screens with Tactile Feedback
Disney is working on creating touch screens that can actually give users the virtual feel of items displayed on the screen by producing friction and vibrations that mimic the textures and ridges of three dimensional items.
Getting Around Using Assistive Technology when You’re Blind
Getting around keeps getting easier for blind travelers thanks to new assisistive technology. Find out about a new O&M iPhone app and an UltraBike!
Accessible Braille Smart Phones
Smart phones and tablets have many accessibility features but are still basically smooth surfaces. Two new technologies try to change this by making tablets with tactile output or phones with audio feedback.
Adapted Innovation: Technology Resources for Kids Who are Blind
Julie Johnson is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and an Assistive Technology Specialist. She writes about technology resources for all children with visual impairments and all other disabilities on her blog, Adapted Innovation.
Audio Description for Blind Viewers
Video description for blind children: What is it? Where can I find it? What are the benefits?
Carroll Tech Online Assistive Technology Courses
The Carroll Center offers training and educational support for children and adults who are blind in Massachusetts, but did you know that they also offer some very informative online training resources through their Carroll Tech program?
APH Quota Funds: How to Access Free Educational Materials for Blind & Deafblind Students
Students who are blind or deafblind are eligible for free school supplies and equipment that will help them access school curriculum. Find out how to use these funds!
National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
The idea behind the National Deafblind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) is that people with combined hearing and vision loss should have access to modern telecommunication tools (and the training necessary to use them) so that they can interact, communicate, use the internet and contribute more to their community.
Here Comes the Future… and it’s in Three Dimensions!
Mary McDonach writes about how her daughter, Elizabeth, who has albinism and very low vision, was able to watch (and see!) a 3D film in the movie theater! They were all surprised and delighted by this... and maybe your child could benefit from this new movie technology, too!
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