gaitwhihald: Computer Assisted Technology on PCs

Computer assisted technology is a feature that is offered in the services of the newly opened NewView Low Vision Clinic, meaning that clients can learn how to use and utilize a computer through accessibility software. Here a few of the different softwares that NewView helps teach on PCs:

Zoom Text: for someone who needs magnification, NewView teaches two softwares, the first being Zoom Text. Zoom Text does much what its name implies, it magnifies the screen of the computer so that a user can properly read and see what they?re looking at. Zoom Text also offers multiple color schemes, such as black and yellow or black and white, it can change the pointer?s color and magnify its size, and it can also help better identify a cursor in applications. Zoom Text also includes a speech component where a user can listen to what is on the screen in email, documents, and websites. To learn more about Zoom Text, click here.

MAGic: MAGic is the second magnification software. It shares many of the same feature as Zoom Text, but is compatible with JAWS software, using many of the seem key strokes. To learn more about MAGic software, click here.

JAWS: JAWS is a screen reading software designed to help when magnification can?t anymore. With JAWS, the mouse is taking completely out of the picture and only the keyboard is used to navigate the computer. An advantage to JAWS is that it can be made to talk less the more advanced a user is. To learn more about JAWS, click here.

OpenBook: OpenBook is a graphic to text scanning software. With OpenBook, a document like a textbook, piece of mail, or simple print out is scanned or photographed, and through the software is transcribed to text on the computer which is then read to the user. While OpenBook is compatible with most flatbed scanners, there is the PEARL? a portable camera that connects through only a USB cord, and can convert the photo to text in just a few seconds. So, for a student, the PEARL means that a student isn?t restricted to where they can study. To learn more about OpenBook, click here.

Dolphin Guide: Dolphin Guide software is designed to help those who have vision loss, but might also not be too familiar with computers. It?s used purely through the keyboard with a simple menu that goes through email, documents, etc. It?s speech feature reads through these items and is designed to walk a user through simple directions. To learn more about Dolphin Guide, click here.