IT in service of disabled

1. Topic: Information Technology
In Service Of Disabled
SEMINAR
Maria Manoj

2. Introduction
 People with disabilities meet barriers of all types. computing technology for
tasks such as reading and writing documents, communicating with others,
and searching for information on the internet, students and employees with
disabilities are capable of handling a wider range of activities
independently. Still, people with disabilities face a variety of barriers to
computer use. These barriers can be grouped into three functional
categories: barriers to providing computer input, interpreting output, and
reading supporting documentation.
 Hardware software tools(known as adaptive assistive technologies)have
been developed to provide functional alternatives to these standard
operations. Specific products, and approaches to using them, are described
below.

3. Mobility impairments
 Some wheelchairs may not fit under standard height computer tables and some
computer users do not have enough use of their hands and arms to operate a standard
keyboard or mouse.
 Equipment which provides flexibility in the positioning of monitor, keyboards,
documentation, and tabletops is useful for many individuals with disabilities, Plugging
all computer components into power outlet strips with accessible on and off switches
make it easy to turn equipment on and off independently.
 Individuals who have little or no use of hands can control the computer by pressing keys
with head stick or pointing device.
 For individuals who need to operate the computer with one hand. Left and right handed
keyboards are available.
 Those with severe mob-impairments keyboard emulation is available, including
scanning and morse code input. In each case, special switches make use of at least one
muscle over which the individual has voluntary control. To make selections, individuals
use switches activated by movement of the head, finger, foot, breathe etc.
 Speech recognition systems allow users to control computers by speaking words and
letters. A particular system is trained to recognize specific voices.

4. Blindness
 Individuals who are blind cannot access visual material presented on the
computer screen or in printed materials.
 Individuals who are blind can use Braille key labels which can assist with
keyboard use.
 Speech output systems can be used to read screen text to computer users
who are blind. Refreshable Braille displays allow line-by-line translation of
screen text into Braille on a display area where vertical pins move into Braille
configurations as screen text is scanned.
 Braille printers provide “hard copy” output for users who are blind.
 Electronic versions of documentation can support computer users who are
blind if it is delivered in an accessible format.
 Special software can reverse the screen from black on white to white on black
for people who are light sensitive.

5. Hearing or speech impairments
 Advanced speech synthesizers are close enough to human quality to act as
substitute voices and thus provide a compensatory tool for students who
cannot communicate verbally.
 If the sound volume is turned to zero, a computer may flash the menu bar
when audio output is normally used.
 Individuals with hearing or speech impairments typically do not have
difficulty using standard written or on-screen.

6. Specific learning disabilities
 Some students with learning disabilities who have difficulty processing
written information can also benefit from a standard word processor.
 Macro software which expands abbreviations can reduce the necessity
keyboard commands and can ease the entry of commonly used text.
 Large-print displays, alternative colors on the computer screen, and voice
output can compensate for some reading problems.
 People who have difficulty interpreting visual material can impriove
comprehension and the ability to identify and correct errors when words are
spoken or printed in large fonts.
 Computer documentation provided in electronic forms can be enlarged on
the screen and read aloud with speech synthesis systems to make it
accessible.

7. New technological advancements
 Electrical stimulation
Nine years ago, David Mzee was left paralysed by a gymnastics accident and
told he would never walk again. Last week, he competed in a charity run
during which he walked 390 metres, thanks to an experimental treatment
that uses electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to rejuvenate dormant
circuits in patients whose spinal breaks are not complete.

8.  Helmet for the blind
 Designed by the Chinese organization CloudMinds, Meta looks like a cycling
helmet and uses sensors and cameras to map its environs, sending information
to a cloud server to be processed by AI technology. The information can be
communicated through speech, helping blind people and those with visual
impairments to navigate streets, recognize objects and negotiate traffic lights
and crossings.

9.  Next generation hearing aid
 A cochlear implant might be nothing new, but researchers at Columbia
University, New York, are working on a “cognitive hearing aid”, which
monitors the brain activity of users to identify which voice the listener is
focusing on. It then magnifies that audio while quietening surrounding noise,
allowing for better hearing.

10. Bionic exoskeleton
 American Lyle Fleming was able to walk for the first time in six years thanks to
an exoskeleton that has been described as a “legged Segway.” Designed to help
those with paralysis to stand and walk, a similar wearable robotic frame was
approved in 2012 by the US Food and Drug Admiration for physical
rehabilitation, to be used with crutches or walkers. Future exoskeletons may
replace wheelchairs, providing greater mobility and health benefits.

11. Voice to the speech-impaired
 Scientists in the US, UK and China are working on prototypes of gloves that
translate the hand movements of sign language into speech, allowing real
time verbal communication with people not proficient in sign language.

12. Thank you