Assistive Technology

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Assistive Technology Resources (7 Links)  AAATE (Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe). The aim of AATE is advance assistive technology for the benefit of people with disabilities and elderly people. 

AbilityNet. A British charity for computing and accessible technology. 

Closing the Gap Assistive Technology (Software and Hardware) Resource Database. This searchable American database contains lists of assistive technology by disability, computer, and academic skill. 

FAST (Foundation for Assistive Technology). FAST is a national charity based in Oxford. The website is an information resource for people developing or with an interst in assistive technology. It contains a database about assistive technology research and development. 

Introduction to Assistive Technology within a Learning Environment (TechDis Staff Pack). "These training materials provide a broad introduction to the breadth and range of assistive technologies available and the issues to consider when trying to match a learning need to a technological solution". 

TechDis Mailing List. A discussion list for issues relating disability and technology. 

TechDis Technology Database. A database containing information about assistive and adaptive products. Designed to provide information for the British FE (Further Education) and HE (Higher Education) sectors.

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On-Screen Technology (3 Links)  Onscreen Keyboards. This site gives a list of onscreen keyboards (software versions) which are available for Windows and Macintosh systems. The Gnome Onscreen Keyboard for Linux and Unix systems is also available. </li>

Pointers and Cursors. The ACE Centre Advisory Trust has a some Shareware programmes available, including extra large coloured cursors and arrows. </li>

Tinter. Tinter is a free download, which allows a more subtle adjustment of shading on computer screens than is normally possible. The colour optimal for computer use differ from that used in overlays (which provide a surface colour) and in lenses (which provide for a change similar to a change in the colour of lighting), whilst computer displays are usually self-luminous and can resemble a surface or a light source, depending on lighting conditions.</li></ol>

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Screen Reader, Speech, and Sound Technology (8 Links)  BrookesTalk. BrookesTalk is a function key driven Web Browser for blind and visually impaired users, providing keyboard only accessibility using the function keys. </li>

Emacspeak - A Speech Interface by T V Raman, Cambridge Research Lab, November 1993. This paper discusses the development and functionality of Emacspeak, which does not speak the screen like a screen reader but instead applications provide visual and speech feedback. The speech feedback is designed to be sufficient by itself. Emacspeak can be used with Linux. </li>

IBM Home Page Reader Free 30 Day Trial. The Home Page Reader gives spoken internet and web access for visually impaired users. </li>

JAWS for Windows Free Demo. A free 40 minute demo of JAWS. </li>

System Access To Go. Free screen reader which can either be downloaded to the desktop or run as required online. Settings can be saved by signing up for an account. </li>

The vOICe Vision Technology for the Blind. The vOICe Vision Technology for the Blind translates video images from a PC camera into sounds. Any visual item can be heard, including photographs, drawings, signs, or pictograms. Every visual shape gives a unique sound, even colour identification is included, using speech to turn The vOICe system into a "talking camera". </li>

Thunder. Thunder is a free screen reader for use by blind and visually impaired people both as individuals and within organisations. </li>

WebAIM Screenreader Simulation. Provides a screen reader simulation experience.</li></ol>

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