Assistive Technology Devices

• A software program such as a screen reader, which reads aloud text on the computer screen to help individuals who are blind navigate and use a computer;
• Captioning that appears on a videotape or CD-ROM to allow deaf individuals to follow the spoken dialogue of a video;
• Video description, which describes visual elements of video with spoken descriptions in the natural dialogue pauses;
• Assistive listening devices that enable hard-of-hearing individuals to capture a speaker's voice and transmit that sound to a hearing aid for amplification;
• A refreshable Braille display that allows individuals who are blind to read documents by placing their hands on a device that raises and lowers pins in response to electronic signals to generate Braille characters;
• Adaptive keyboards or keyboard overlays with larger keys and other features that help users with motor difficulties to make selections more easily;
• Switches that make it possible for individuals with physical disabilities to access a computer keyboard using a mouth, head, or foot;
• Alternative Augmentative Communication devices with pre- programmed menus that allow non-verbal individuals to "speak" aloud by pressing buttons.