Tools are any device or component which assist individuals in performing a task more easily and successfully, such as simple devices to complex technological solutions. Tools for the blind and visually impaired may range from basic devices to the latest technological offerings.

People who are blind have various choices when it comes to traveling independently. They might enlist a guide or use other nonvisual techniques.

Wayfinding applications

Wayfinding apps are mobile navigation technologies designed to offer accessibility features to blind and visually impaired users. They are especially beneficial in hospitals or large indoor environments where there may be multiple users requiring assistance with navigation. Wayfinding apps use GPS, digital compass, speech output as well as tactile displays and directional maps as navigation tools, providing guidance from one place to the next in an unfamiliar location.

Right-Hear, an Israeli startup, offers an audio wayfinding app designed to aid blind and visually impaired individuals navigate their environment through audio guidance. This system combines a smartphone application with wireless signals strategically placed throughout public spaces and accessible spots, giving these people a much clearer understanding of where they are in relation to audio guidance.

Subway signs tend to be graphic- or text-based, making them hard for those with blindness or visual impairment to read at distance and limiting their independence when traveling in unfamiliar environments. But with the app Commute Booster’s interpretation capabilities, its users can select only relevant signs for their journey and discard irrelevant ones automatically.

Sensible Innovation’s Aware app provides step-by-step voice-controlled navigation for turn-by-turn descriptive navigation that will announce each venue that passes and inform them when they have arrived at their destination. Furthermore, Aware can even detect that someone is heading in an incorrect direction and adjust their route accordingly.

Studies conducted recently by researchers revealed that those with vision loss are more likely to use wayfinding apps than those without it, suggesting businesses can facilitate adoption among customers with vision loss by providing user-friendly experiences and educational material about these tools.

External displays

Numerous portable electronic travel tools allow blind and visually impaired pedestrians to navigate unfamiliar environments on their own without assistance from others. These devices serve as companion devices to traditional aids like white canes and guide dogs, providing information about urban walking routes so individuals can make independent decisions about walking routes.

Numerous computer software and hardware assistive devices exist to assist people with vision impairments with using standard word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail and other applications. This includes screen readers and Braille displays. Screen readers convert onscreen text into spoken output; they may also scan printed materials for use with Braille displays. Screen readers come in desktop versions for personal computers as well as USB drive versions which can transfer between computers and mobile devices or dedicated versions that cater specifically for specific monitors or mobile devices; all can be easily downloaded for free from Netshare portal.

Refreshable Braille displays are sleek electronic devices that enable users to read line-by-line translations of screen text on an interactive display area with vertical pins moving into Braille configurations as the screen is scanned. Users with advanced braille skills find them easy to read; being silent means they don’t disturb other workers in work areas and allow hands-free use so other tasks can be completed more quickly and efficiently. National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled offers these devices through its free digital distribution program.

Many types of magnifiers are available, from portable video magnifiers the size of paperback books that can be taken on trips or used in public settings to enlarge documents or television screens, to those designed specifically to magnify text or images on monitors and printers, including zoom text software. A full selection can be found in the Assistive Technology Center located within DSS office and the Morris Library. Zoom text software may also be provided as additional solutions.

Raised dots and tactile materials

Raised dots and tactile materials can help visually impaired students enhance their learning. This graphic provides more in-depth and complete understanding of subject matters than can be gained simply from listening or reading; for example, reading about molecular structures may give a student some details; when they feel them however they gain more profound and comprehensive comprehension of them as an organism.

Braille was developed by Louis Braille in 1824 to facilitate touch reading and writing for people who are blind or visually impaired, using raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation marks and punctuation marks. Although Braille may not be considered universal language as many systems use Braille encode different languages or other types of information such as music and math into Braille codes.

Braille literacy is an invaluable asset to those who are blind and visually impaired, enabling access to written word, fostering literacy and expanding world of knowledge while providing greater independence. A tactile education coupled with Braille can also develop problem solving, critical thinking and spatial reasoning skills that can be applied across both academic and professional pursuits.

One of the primary methods for producing Braille is known as etching. This involves submerging photopolymer sheet, the material signwriters use for raised dots, in water and then using brushes to expose only its raised areas. Once painted and rinsed off with clear coat applied they are then rinsed off once more and placed back into storage until needed again. An alternative production method involves using an embossing machine which works similarly but creates both sign substrate and raised dots simultaneously from one sheet of material.

Simplified reading displays

Students with print disabilities often need alternative formats in order to independently access information, including textbooks, educational material, medical notices and bills, bills and general notices. This is a legal obligation which gives blind and low vision individuals dignity by giving them access to their own data in a format most meaningful for them – be it braille, audio or a combination thereof.

Students with visual impairments have various low and high tech assistive technologies available to them to aid them in navigating environments more successfully. Some examples of low tech AT devices for visually impaired students include color coding materials for different subjects, providing large print materials, and providing scribes to assist with writing dictated text. On the higher tech end are screen readers which enable people to use computers without seeing screen content or using a mouse for navigation.

Portable Braille Displays can be an invaluable asset to students with visual impairments. This device enables users to access digital documents via touch screen and utilizes OCR technology that converts text into Braille, read back by an audio-synthesized voice synthesizer. Furthermore, this portable device includes an embedded note taker capable of storing hundreds of books as well as music Braille features.

ALVA BC680 is another device that helps people access computers independently: its 80-cell refreshable Braille display connects simultaneously to two PCs/Macs or mobile phones via Bluetooth and USB. Portable, it provides full keyboard functionality on its display screen and offers Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as Bluetooth and USB pairing capability, with full keyboard functionality on display as a full keyboard on screen for use when combined with JAWS for speech and Braille access. JAWS users may connect via Braille Study Mode; which lets them interact with their computer using keyboard only without mouse input!

Braille

Blind people use braille in many different ways today, from reading books or newspapers, taking class notes and labeling personal belongings (for instance many with visual impairments have braille labels embossed on medications to indicate which pill or bottle contains what).

Louis Braille invented Braille in 1824 following his blindness at three after playing with sharp leather-working tools at his father’s shop and injuring one eye, leading to infection which took away any remaining vision – this tragic event inspired him to create raised dots that could be sensed with fingertips and read without light.

Louis created braille cells with six dots representing letters. Unlike Hauy’s raised letters which required readers to move their finger from dot to dot in order to read, Louis’ system allowed one fingertip to sense all six dots at once – an enormous time saver when reading large print letters!

Braille can serve a number of educational and emergency purposes beyond education; its value lies in helping those with significant visual impairments or blindness communicate during events such as fires, accidents and natural disasters. So effective is braille that it has even been included into a national security protocol known as “synography”, used for communication during military emergencies.

Teachers of students with visual impairments often have very diverse caseloads and may not have regular opportunities to practice braille, making it essential that braille skills continue to build over time using vocabulary cards and checklists from APH’s website.