Assistive Technologies
List of available assistive technologies
SWITCHES
| Pal Pads | Pressure-activated membrane switches that require slight touches to operate. |
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| Control Units | Allows switch users to control up to two electrical appliances with single switches. |
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| Button Switches | Auditory and tactile feedback single touch switches. |
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| Proximity Sensor Switches | Switch that do not require physical touch to activate. Users wave their hands or other portions of their body to activate. Visual and auditory cues occur when the assistive technology switch is activated. |
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| Twist Transmitters | Button switches that respond to twisting movements rather than pressing movements. |
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| Wobble Switches | Switches that activate with slight movements or twitches. |
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| Tilt Switches | Switch that can be attached to a body part like a head, arm or leg, and activated when that body part is tilted. The switch can be adjusted for tilt sensitivity. |
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| Typing Wand Mouthstick | Mouthstick designed for use by individuals with upper extremity or severe physical disabilities or spinal cord injury. |
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| Chin Switches | Switch that can be positioned anywhere around the neck and tailored to the use who moves their head down onto the contact surface to activate the switch. |
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| Micro Light Switch |
Small activation surface that provides both auditory and tactile feedback for use with those with limited hand or finger movement or with slight shoulder or neck motion. |
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| Foot Switches | Switch that can easily be controlled by the foot or hand and provides tactile stimulation for feedback. |
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CONTROLLERS
| BJOY Ring Wireless |
USB device that allows a user to convert the joystick of a wheelchair into a mouse for wireless use with computers, tables, and smartphones. |
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| Xbox Adaptive Controller | Adaptable controller that can be customizable to support a wide range of needs for users and mounted on a lap, table, floor, or wheelchair. |
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| Neural Interface | A direct communication pathway between an enhanced or wired brain and an external device. Sometimes called a neural-control interface, mind-machine interface, direct neural interface, or brain–machine interface. | |
| Tobii EyeX |
Eye tracking for mouse cursor. https://help.tobii.com/ |
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SYSTEMS (SOFTWARE)
| JAWS |
Computer screen reader program for Microsoft Windows that allows blind and visually impaired users to read the screen either with a text-to-speech output or by a refreshable Braille display. http://www.freedomscientific.com/ |
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| Audio Notetaker |
Assistive technology software to help those who struggle with note-taking. The software allows the user to import their audio from their computer or a portable device such as a digital voice recorder. https://sonocent.com/ |
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| ClaroRead |
Simple, easy-to-use and flexible software program that helps read, write, study, and sit exams. Can read any on-screen text out loud and improve writing in Microsoft Word. ClaroRead Plus and Pro also read aloud scanned paper books and documents. https://www.clarosoftware.com/ |
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| Dolphin EasyConverter |
Software to allow people with visual impairments and learning difficulties to gain access to computers at home, work and school. Create accessible information for people with visual impairments, dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Ideal for employers, charities or education environments who are looking to provide accessible information to their print impaired readers. https://yourdolphin.com/ |
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| Inspiration |
Visual learning software for structuring thoughts, visually communicate concepts, and organizing information. http://www.inspiration.com/ |
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| Lex |
Pediatric speech and assistive tech tool ideal for anyone who can not make themselves verbally understood, such as those with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Apraxia, and Muscular Dystrophy. |
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| MindView |
Mind mapping software for visual brainstorming, organization, and presentation. https://www.matchware.com/ |
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| ZoomText |
Fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Enlarges and enhances everything a computer screen, echoes typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, and email. https://www.zoomtext.com/ |
DEVICES
| Amazon Kindle | eReader with highest quality e-ink technology with best contrast, most responsive touchscreen, page turn sensors, and best selection and price of books. Not customizable and heaviest major eReader (7.3 oz) on the market. |
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| Amazon Kindle Fire | eReader tablet with magnification in menus and books, bluetooth keyboard and braille display, and simultaneous reading and listening with Audible. Only works with apps from the Kindle app store. |
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| Barnes & Noble Nook | eReader with progress indicator, no advertisements, and hackability. Only one model available. |
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| Barnes & Noble Galaxy Tab 4 Nook | eReader tablet with Google Play for applications. |
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| iPad | Apple's tablet available in multiple version including an iPad Pro in two sizes, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini. |
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| Kobo | eReader with multiple models, light weight, and no ads. |
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| Kobo Arc | eReader tablet Pros with Google Play for applications. |
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| Victor Reader | Streaming audio player with accessible controls, able to play web radio, DAISY books, NLS, Bookshare, Learning Ally - supports downloading directly to the device. |
BRAILLE
| Orbit Reader | Portable refreshable braille display with 20 refreshable eight-dot braille cells. Allows reading books via SD card, simple note-taking, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and can be used with devices including Apple, Android and Kindle and reading apps such as Kindle, Adobe Digital Editions, or iBooks. https://www.aph.org/orbit-reader-20/ |
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| BitLab | Braille tablet that creates tactile text and graphics in real time by converting any document into Braille text. https://blitab.com/ |
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| Canute | Multi-line digital braille eReader. http://www.bristolbraille.co.uk/ |
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| Tactile | Currently in development. http://teamtactile.com/ |
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