This document discusses various assistive technologies for blind and low vision individuals. It describes screen reading software that reads aloud computer screen content, magnification software to enlarge screen items, refreshable braille displays that allow reading and writing braille on a computer, optical character recognition to convert printed text to editable formats, and video magnifiers or CCTVs to project magnified images. The conclusion states that while many technologies exist to help the blind learn independently, the major challenge is that most aids are expensive.

1. Subjective Assessment
Dr.Priya Pillai
Application No

2. Types of Blindness
• Low Vision
• Blind

3. Assistive technology for Blind
• The type of Assistive technology for blind
depends on the level of vision /or Blindness .
Low vision people can use magnifying devises
to access print material whereas totally blind
cannot access print directly. The Blind person
can access audio format, eformat using special
technology , print canbe converted to brailie,
audio or e format.

4. Screen Reading Software
• Uses synthetic speech to read aloud the content that appears on a
computer screen.
• Compatible with most programs and features for PC operating
systems.
• Available as an add-on for PCs running Linux or Windows, while
Mac computers typically run a built-in screen-reading function.
• Examples of screen-reading software include JAWS and
WindowEyes for PC, VoiceOver for Mac and Orca for certain
distributions of Linux.
• See more:
https://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/assistivetechnologyforbli
nd
• For free screen readers visit
• https://usabilitygeek.com/10-free-screen-reader-blind-visually-
impaired-users/

5. Magnification Software
• Software can magnify all screen items by
following the keyboard or mouse curser
• Microsoft and MAC computers have inbuilt
magnification software
• It can be used along with screen reading software
• Example
• ZoomText Magnifier/Reader - zoomtext.com
• MAGic® – Freedom Scientific

6. Refreshable Braille Displays
• Allows both to read and write in Braille
• See the demo for more information
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVuLGrab
9JA

7. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Systems
• This software helps scanning a printed
document into a computer and converting the
picture image into text characters and words,
which screen readers and braille embossers
can recognize.
• PDF files can be converted into text
• OCR can be used in combination with Screen
readers and Braille refreshable displays and
Braille printers

8. Video Magnifiers or Closed-Circuit Televisions
(CCTVs)
• A video magnifier, or closed-circuit television
(CCTV) system, uses a stand-mounted or
handheld video camera to project a magnified
image onto a video monitor, a television (TV)
screen, or a computer monitor. Cameras with
zoom lenses provide variable magnification
• www.afb.org › info › cctv-video-magnifier

9. Conclusion
• Today There are technology to help the blind
to learn by self using various technologies
available. The major problem is majority of
aids are expensive.