ICT for the disabled

There are many input and output devices for the physically disabled.There are two main groups of physically disabled to need special devices to use the computer:1. The motor impaired2. The visually impaired

Visually impairedVisually impaired people are people who have a total loss of vision in one or both eyes i.e. Blindness. devices which help these people are:•A Braille keyboard (a keyboard with Braille dots on the keys). Allows a user to type in or enter text.

•A microphone ( an input device used with voice recognition software)

•A loudspeaker (an output device for hearing signals and text read out for someone who cannot see it)

•A Braille printer (a printer which can create Braille on a page)

Motor impairedPeople who are motor impaired can have a loss or limitation of function in muscle control or movement. This can include arthritis, paralysis or loss of limb.Devices to help the motor impaired are:•A mouth-stick (a stick to control put in the mouth)

•A puff-suck switch-tube placed in the mouth and blown/sucked through.

•A tongue activated joystick (placed in the mouth and manipulated with the tongue)

•An eye-typer (a device that is fitted onto the muscles around the eye and when the eye is moved a pointer on the screen moves)-used for people who cannot use a hand or foot mouse.

•A foot mouse -mouse that is controlled by the foot. Used for someone who has limited or no use of their hands.

Software for the physically disabled

To make computing more easy for the disabled there are certain software's that may be installed in the computer or can come pre-installed. The most common aid for the disabled is a screen reader, a program that reads out a computer display. The screen reader can output information in Braille.

More tools to help the disabled include:•Screen magnifier (zooms in portions of the screen making it easier to view information on the screen.

•Feedback system (plays a sound in response to user activity, this is useful as it confirms an action)

•Predictive text (this suggests the required word as the letters are typed so the user does not have to type the whole word)

Hilary ListerHilary Lister (born 1972) is a record-breaking quadriplegic sailor from Kent, England. She suffers from the progressive condition reflex sympathetic dystrophy and controls her ship by sucking and blowing tubes for steering and sails. It is a ‘sip and puff’ system of three straws linked to pressure-sensitive switches.