By Anne Macleod
According to Lewis (1993), assistive technology has two major purposes. First,
it can augment or enhance an individual's strengths so that his or her abilities
counterbalance the effects of any disabilities. Second, technology can provide
an alternate mode of performing a task so that disabilities are compensated
for or bypassed entirely. For instance, individuals with difficulties in reading
may be able to exploit their strength in the area of auditory comprehension
by listening to books on tape, rather than reading the print versions. Persons
with less than adequate math skills might use a handheld calculator; those with
poor spelling might use a Franklin Speller or write with word processing software
that offers spell check. Cavalier, Ferretti, and Okolo (1994) suggested a similar
distinction in the cognitive arena. According to these authors, technology can
act as a cognitive prosthesis, replacing an ability that is missing or impaired,
or as a cognitive scaffold, providing the support needed to accomplish a task.
Although it is this author's opinion that an important
third category of assistive technology exists - that which assists an individual
in remediation of a weakness or area of challenge - the first two categories
are the focus of this issue.
Disabilities often impose barriers to full participation in school, at work, raising our children, and in other important areas of life. Assistive technology offers ways to overcome those obstacles, opening up a world of opportunity that just a decade ago was not possible. As the following sections explain, one way to think about the many technologies that are currently available is in relation to the type of function each addresses, and/or the particular need of the individual. For the purposes of this month's newsletter, we will examine the challenges related to reading and accessing printed materials.
PRINT BARRIERS
Accessing printed materials can be a barrier to individuals with vision impairments
and to others who have difficulty reading for a variety of reasons. This includes
preschool children, beginning readers, and individuals with learning disabilities
who have not yet mastered the skill of reading. From the demands of reading
school textbooks to everyday tasks such as reading our mail, accessing printed
materials is a must in our daily lives and in modern society. 
The most common way that assistive technology attempts to overcome the print
barrier is to present information through a sense other than vision. Thus, individuals
who are blind might use the sense of touch to read Braille, or might gain information
by listening rather than reading. For individuals with learning disabilities
(and others not yet competent in reading), the auditory presentation of information
is often more accessible than a print display. Taped books, devices that read
print books aloud, and "talking" computer programs are all possible solutions.
It's these options that we will examine more closely and align with the various
categories within the Lending Library inventory.
I want to re-emphasize that despite what seems to be a huge disparity in disability categories, if we focus on the barrier or needs of the individual rather than the disability itself, we find that many of the assistive technology products can meet the needs of various types of challenges experienced by people with disabilities.
“STAND ALONE” SYSTEMS OR DEVICES
Reading Machines (Electronic Reading Devices)
Lending Library Inventory Category: Communication: Reading: Auditory Output
An electronic reading system is comprised of two main parts: input and output.
The input component is made up of scanning hardware (image scanner) and optical
character recognition (OCR) software. Output is mainly auditory but may also
be tactual, enhanced visual or some combination of these modalities. The image
scanner, OCR software and output system can be purchased as separate components
to be linked to a PC or as an integrated standalone system.
Although reading machines were originally designed for individuals with visual
impairments, they allow auditory access to any type of printed material for
a much broader audience. These devices use optical character recognition technology
to identify letters and words, which are then pronounced by a speech synthesizer.
One example is the Reading Edge (RD-REDG).
Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV)
Lending Library Inventory Category: Communication: Reading: Magnification
A video magnifier is an electronic assistive device that enlarges almost anything
that will fit under the camera lens. When first conceived, video magnifiers
commonly used conventional television screens to display an enlarged image of
materials placed under a Vidicon tube camera. Since the camera and television
screen were directly connected in a "closed circuit," video magnifiers were
commonly known as closed circuit television systems, or CCTVs. This term continues
as an alternative name and the terms video magnifier and CCTV are used interchangeably.
Today, most video magnifiers use cameras and monitors with solid state, digital
technology. Most manufacturers equip their video magnifiers with CCD (charge-coupled
device) cameras and often use composite monitors rather than conventional television
screens because the monitor provides better image resolution and contrast. The
CCD camera presents a clearer, sharper, and more stable image and has a longer
life expectancy than the older models.
Some CCTV systems can be connected to a PC, which gives the user a choice to view full screen CCTV, full screen PC or split screen. Because additional hardware may be required for the PC-CCTV interaction to take place, please consult with your ATRC or support person if this option is to be explored. In addition, the PC may require screen magnification software if this configuration is utilized.
Video magnifiers (CCTVs) offer persons with limited vision or other print
disabilities the ability to read almost any printed material, look at photographs
and illustrations, read prescription bottles and other product labeling, write
checks, complete forms, and perform close work such as sewing.
A study by Silver and Fass (1977) suggests a CCTV may be appropriate when:
Closed circuit television confers certain benefits not available from conventional
optical devices: greater magnification, ergonomic advantages of a normal reading
position, variable magnification with zoom lenses, image reversal (the capability
of switching from conventional black print on a white background to white on
black which is preferred by most users), and an electronic window or underlining
facility to assist in reading or isolating just one line of print. Video magnifiers
are available in both desktop units and portable models.
Source: Silver , J. & Fass, V. H. (1977). "Closed Circuit Television
as a Low Vision Aid: Development and Application." Ophthalmic Optician, 17 (16).
