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Independence for People with Parkinson's Through Assistive Technology
Here you will find links local Assistive Technology and Computer learning resources, as well as links to reviews of many new, innovative hands-free software applications and hardware resources for Windows and Macintosh users that make using a computer much easier for people with limited motor skills or hearing and sight disabilities. We recommend that you begin your research by first reading Assistive Technology Fact Sheet published by the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Resources. Adaptive Technology Resources San Diego Assistive Technology Center The San Diego Assistive Technology Center (SDATC) offers many opportunities for increasing your knowledge about assistive technology solutions through the hands-on exploration of a wide array of adapted computer hardware, software, environmental control access, and AAC devices. Assistive Technology for Computers and Printed Material This site provides links to articles and assistive technology resources for people with disabilities. Assistive Technologies strives to remove the "dis" from disability and encourage each person's ability through the implementation of modern Technologies. Microsoft Accessibility Resources Microsoft Accessibility Accessibility Tutorials for Microsoft Products Profiles of Accessibility in Action Computer Learning Resources Follow up for updated schedule. Assistive Technology Product Reviews Who Should Use an On-Screen Computer Keyboard? A great site to read reviews on the latest assistive technology devices from actual users. Assistive Technology Products
Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the world’s best-selling speech recognition software, gives you everything you need to be more efficient with your PC. SteadyMouse is free software designed to assist people with hand tremors commonly associated with Parkinson's and other neurological disorders. Jobs Access with Speech (JAWS) for Windows For Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, and Vista, this popular screen-reader can pronounce American English, Brazilian Portuguese, British English, Castilian Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Finnish, French, German, and Italian. A widely-used screen-reader for Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, and Vista that supports speech synthesizers and over Braille displays. Apple's Tiger & Leopard Operating Systems for Mac Includes a variety of accessibility features that allows those with vision, hearing and motor skills disabilities to more easily use their Macintosh computer. A user friendly Braille editor for Macintosh users. Google Accessible Web Search for the Visually Impaired Google search with audio component. A web-based screen reader that enables blind people to access the web from any computer with a sound card. This 12-cell refreshable braille display can be used to write and read SMS text messages and operate your mobile phone or PDA. Designed to enhance career opportunities for the visually-impaired by providing fast and flexible access to the wealth of software used by business and professionals. A text- to-speech file for making books on CD on Macintosh computers by translating text files into audio files that can then be converted to mp3's. EmacSpeak Complete Audio Desktop A free text-based UNIX system which works with Emacs that can speak the information on visual screen displays. e-Speaking Voice and Speech Recognition Enables you to control your computer, dictate e-mails and letters, and have your computer read documents back to you. A free text-mode browser with voice-synthesizers and Braille-based technology, Lynx works on diverse platforms including MacIntosh MacLynx, Windows, DOS, UNIX, and VMS. With speech to iPod-ready iTunes tracks and quick voice access, Proloquo offers a multi-lingual speech and communication system for Mac OS X users who cannot speak. Helps people with limited vision access Web content more easily. Speakup for Linux Operating System Provides access to all console programs for Lynx, Pine, and Gnu/Linux operating systems. For Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, 2000, XP, and Vista, Hal includes the Dolphin Orpheus Speech System and Microsoft's MSAPI Speech Synthesizer that can pronounce words in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish, as well as Grade 1 and 2 Braille. A 24-cell refreshable Braille display that serves as a Braille terminal for PC screen readers. Offers English, French, and Spanish versions of its Internet browser for Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000 that displays on a Braille bar or can be spoken by a speech synthesizer. Offers magnification, speech and Braille support to give people with visual impairments the ability to access Windows. A specialized Web browser, suitable for touch-screen systems, with fully integrated Web awareness, assessment and training modules. A text-to-speech communication aid for people with speech impairments offering a dual display option, choice of keyboard layouts and languages. Offers people with visual impairments the advantage of speech output. Offers 2x – 10x screen magnifier amplification for Windows 3.x, 95, 98, NT, Windows 2000, and Vista that can be positioned anywhere on your computer screen. Level 1 provides 2x – 16x magnification, Level 2 provides synchronized magnification and screen reading. Works with Windows Vista, XP, ME, 2000, NT4, 98, 95, and DOS. A system for scanning books and other printed materials into a computer and then speaks it aloud through a voice synthesizer. This device turns a computer or scanner into a reading machine for people with a visual impairments. Documents placed on the scanner can be translated into speech or Braille. Allows books and text embedded in graphics to be spoken back through a voice synthesizer, including the ability to create MP3 and WAV file as well .brf and .brl Grade 2 Braille formats. Scans and translates text from books and other printed matter into speech. This document reader includes a DEC talk Voice, an OCR reader, a flat bed scanner, a computer, and a screen reader. Poet Compact: Scan & Read Standalone Reader This compact machine includes an internal hard disk, flat bed scanner, a text recognition program, and a speech synthesizer. SARA Scanning & Reading Appliance Scan reading materials and have them read back to you as continuous read, line-by-line, word-by-word, or letter-by-letter. Includes 29 voices in 19 language dialects and 12 major languages. Click-N-Type Virtual Keyboard 3.03 A free Windows and DOS application that displays a virtual on-screen keyboard for people who cannot type using a physical keyboard. Use your keyboard as a pointing device to perform computer operations without taking your hands off the keyboard. Built-in optical overlay-detection, allows the keyboard to detect which overlay is placed on top of the keyboard. Overlays can be changed without commands to the computer thus allowing users to handle a large range of overlays independently. A virtual on-screen keyboard that allows you to type using a mouse, trackball, head pointer or other mouse emulator to type characters into Macintosh applications. A free utility for people who can move a mouse but have difficulty clicking the mouse buttons. Data entry interface driven by a mouse, stylus, or eye-tracker. Offer keys that are 4 times larger than a typical keyboard and works with both Windows and Macintosh computer. Windows or Macintosh keyboard with built-in mouse that allows people with disabilities easy access to the Internet, e-mail, and computer programs with a hand-held wand or mouth-stick. An on-screen keyboard that offers point-and-click typing using pointing devices such as a head pointer, mouse, trackball. A hands-free mouse for people with carpal tunnel, RSI and other disabilities allowing you to control your computer by simple head movements. Enables people to use their eyes to operate a computer or telephone. Combines an eye tracker and a viewer that measure the position of the eye. Users look at a specific word, letter or character in front of their eyes and "type" by holding their gaze until a selection is confirmed by light and sound. Filtering unintentional movements caused by hand tremor, this device allows for much smoother movement of the cursor for improved accuracy of mouse operation. Improves mouse control for people with Quadriplegia, CP, MD, MS, ALS, CTS and other disability where lack of hand control does not allow you to use a standard mouse. Mouse for quadriplegics with all of the functions of a standard 5-button mouse or wheel mouse. This head pointing device provides full mouse control of computers for persons who cannot use their hands. Compatible with Macintosh, IBM 2 or 3 button serial mouse, or IBM PS/2 mouse. A hands-free cursor control system for people with ALS, spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. Wireless head-pointing device for Macintosh and Windows includes a "sip-and-puff" switch. NaturalPoint Head-Tracking Mouse A hands-free mouse alternative that connects to your computer through a USB port allowing precise cursor control through simple head movements. Computer device takes the place of a mouse for people with little or no hand movement. This free package for Linux describes simple sensors allowing people with severely limited or involuntary movements to operate a computer. Please Consider Partnering With PDASD to Improve Quality of Life Your investment helps support programs and services that improve the quality of life for families affected by Parkinson's, and provides funding for medical research seeking more effective treatments and a cure.
See how your gift gives hope and strength to families facing the daily challenges of Parkinson's. Click on the Many Faces of Parkinson's to see how our programs and services maximize self-sufficiency for Parkinson's patients and provide support for their families. The Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego Exists to Improve |
