Sensory Impairment Case Study

Cheryl Temple

EDSE 522

Summer 2003

BackgroundMiddle-aged adult

Difficulty completing tasks in work environment due to low vision

Developing cataracts

Difficulty seeing computer screen

Currently prints out most things in large print to read them

Tasks1. Has to read photocopies of business cards but it is difficult to see small print size. Has tried hand held magnifier but too difficult.

Task2. Much of the work for this person’s job requires using the Internet. The text is difficult to read on the screen so this person prints most things out in large text.

Task3. The computer has a glare which lessens the ability for this person to see the text. Has already tried a glare screen but it didn’t help.

TechnologyProblem: Has to read photocopies of business cards but it is difficult to see small print size.

AT - Try a magnifier on a stand with a light.

RationaleNeeds to magnify information on paper but hand held magnifier is too difficult to use.

Once the level of needed magnification is known, a magnifier that is stationary with the correct magnification can be tried.

TechnologyProblem: Much of the work for this person’s job requires using the Internet. The text is difficult to read on the screen so this person prints most things out in large text.Low Tech: Try different color contrastsHigh Tech: Software to enlarge text size but allow information to be sent at regular size.

RationaleThe software, BigShot Screen Magnifier, will be tried because it allows the user to enlarge the screen or document but still print in regular size font.

TechnologyProblem: The computer has a glare which lessens the ability for this person to see the text.

AT - Try halogen lighting.

RationaleA glare screen has been tried but it wasn’t effective so a different device needs to be tried.

Adjustable halogen lighting is recommended for trying to reduce the glare on the screen.

Big Shot Screen MagnifierDemonstration