Computers for the disabled

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on adapting computers for the disabled. To work effectively, most vision-impaired users need to have their computers adapted with technologies such as speech synthesis, magnification, braille, and OCR. Speech-synthesis systems interface to a computer through 8- or 16-bit slots or through standard RS-232 serial ports. They rely on TSR packages, known as screen readers, to drive them. One example of a speech-synthesis system is VertPro from TeleSensory. This product can read MS-DOS-based word processors, databases, spreadsheets, and other text-based software. Window Bridge from Syntha-Voice is a Windows-based screen reader. This product can verbalize both MS-DOS- and Windows-based applications, and it will drive most speech synthesizers. Magnification software can enlarge text appearing on the screen by up to 16 times. ZoomText Plus from AI Squared and Magic Deluxe from MicroSystems Software can both enlarge text on MS-DOS and Windows applications. Berkeley Systems markets inLarge, a Mac-based software package, that magnifies most commercial applications.