Deaf/Blind people resources?

Question

What computer products are available in education for people who are A) Deaf/Hard of hearing wheres a hearing aid and also B) Whats available on a pc for someone who is blind IE a Brail Keyboard or something like that. These are primary age children.

Answer 1

I shall answer letter B, because I have some knowledge about that.

Available to blind students, if finances are available, Braille display for reading web sites.

The display forms Braille for the student to read, the web site content appears on the Braille display.

Reading software. The soft ware reads what is on the web site in a variety of voices, you set the voice you prefer.

There are Braille keyboards available for the student to type on. You can also use a standard keyboard, after attaching stickers that have been brailed.

I don't know what is available for deaf students, but I would think they didn't need as much assistive equipment as blind students since computers are sight friendly, and deaf people can see.

Answer 2

I am an Occupational Therapist who works in Assistive Technology and I'll start with deaf or hard of hearing.  The previous writer was right, there is not much in the way of "Assistive Technology" for the deaf.  The deaf and hard of hearing students often have the same issue that second language learners have with learning fluency of reading. When not hearing English constantly and speaking usually American Sign Language or ASL which is it's own language and grammar structure different from english, individuals often have difficulty reaching grade level reading.  In high school in our district as information speeds up in the classroom, we sometimes provide a captionist to provide a running print source of what is going on in class if they are strong readers.  Also simple computer adaptations like sound sentry on computers that flash the screen with warning noises and beeps are part of the computer operating system.

Visual Impairments there are so many adaptations, screen readers in the operating systems are getting better and better and there are more sophisticated screen enlargers/readers like windoweyes.  There are talking typing tutors to help the student learn the traditional keyboard layout and then if Braille needs to be learned that is a long process.  Eventually as they master braille with an older device like a braille typewriter.  They can move on to portable devices with braille entry like a braille note http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products...

these function like computers and even have GPS and wireless net connections.  And don't forget the most simple adaptations...raising font size, icons and visual contrast changes standard for a computer.  Also books on tape from recordings from the blind and dyslexic, or even your local library, or scan to read technology, where the student can scan in a book with a flatbed scanner and have software like Kurzweil or Wynn read it to them.