Adaptive Technology
South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind
offers life-changing rehabilitative services to both its employees
and others in the community who are blind or visually impaired,
including consumers of the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services – Division for Blind Services (DARS-DBS).
Our training provides students the opportunity to take classes
locally and close to home so they do not have to go out of town to
learn new skills. Our Adaptive Technology classes can open up a
brand new world for someone with a visual impairment by teaching
them how to use a computer.
Vision loss does not have to be a roadblock to modern technology.
Advances in adaptive software have opened the doors for people who
are blind or visually impaired to use computers for work, school,
and leisure. The Adaptive Technology Department at South Texas
Lighthouse for the Blind offers a variety of adaptive software
classes for those with low vision to complete blindness.
Talking Typing Teacher
The first step in learning how to use a computer is knowing how to
type. Talking Typing Teacher uses digitized human speech to narrate
the entire program. The software features complete interaction with
both sound and full-color animations. Lessons consist of verbal and
displayed instructions and fun practice drills. Lessons teach and
reinforce typing, with careful emphasis on posture and correct
typing habits. Constant positive and encouraging reinforcers
throughout the entire curriculum make learning fun and exciting.
Learning to type has never been easier!
Zoomtext
With the new ZoomText 9.1, seeing and hearing everything
on your computer is clearer than ever. ZoomText’s xFont
magnification displays high-definition text that you'll recognize
effortlessly. This innovative software can magnify anything on your
screen up to 36 times! With the NeoSpeech synthesizers, applications
and documents are read aloud by friendly, human-sounding voices -
right through your computer's speakers. And with ZoomText’s
productivity tools, finding what you’re looking for is quick and
easy. |
JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
JAWS for Windows is a powerful accessibility solution
that reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. JAWS
provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs,
edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable Braille
display, JAWS can also provide Braille output in addition to, or
instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable
options lets you tailor JAWS for your individual needs and
preferences. JAWS is ideal for those who have complete vision loss
or who have very limited vision. |
MAGic
Now computer users who need low vision aids due to
macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or other causes of low
vision can take control of Web and software application pages. No
longer will you struggle with type that is too small to see and
images with indecipherable details. MAGic screen magnification
software not only increases the size of what you see on a monitor,
but MAGic with Speech also speaks aloud screen contents. MAGic makes
school research on the Web less challenging for those with vision
loss. It smoothes the way for work projects that involve report
writing, spreadsheets, and working with common office-related
software. MAGic even makes leisure Web browsing, letter writing,
blogging, chatting, and other everyday activities that involve the
computer more fun. |
Open Book
OpenBook™ converts printed documents or graphic-based
text into an electronic text format on your PC using quality speech
and the latest optical character two leading text-to-speech software synthesizers, RealSpeak™ Solo (natural, human-sounding voices) or Eloquence
(efficient synthesized speech that often is preferred for editing
and document skimming).
Hadley School for the Blind
Through Hadley School for the Blind, you can earn your
High School diploma and/or participate in Adult Continuing Education
classes. The program features academic courses and electives for
students who seek to earn a high school diploma. Students can earn
high school credit, which is easily transferred to your local
schools, or earn a diploma through Hadley. |
Hadley School for the Blind also features a long list of continuing
education classes. Classes include, but are not limited to:
- Art History: Art of Ancient Egypt
- English Composition
- Mathematics
- Life Science
- American Government
- Braille
- Business Communications
- Self-Esteem and Adjusting with Blindness
- Basic Conversational Spanish
Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2007, including Microsoft Word, Excel
and PowerPoint, is essential for any student or professional to
know. You can learn how to use all of these programs easily with the
skills you have developed in the adaptive software classes. |
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers
developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows
line of operating systems. It is the most widely used web browser.
Internet Explorer can be used with adaptive software to allow you to
access the Internet and check your e-mail. |
For more information on these adaptive technology classes, please
contact Teresa Curtiss at 361.883.6553, ext. 172 or drop her an
e-mail at teresac@stlb.net.
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