Computer Technology for the Blind

The computer is meant for the sighted. The latest computers are multimedia, meaning it involves participation of almost all the senses of a human being, particularly visual and audio senses. Graphic pictures shown in all dimensions may be created and shown in the computer, in still or animated form, in different kaleidoscope of colors. Even the simplest document may be smartened with effects such as different styles of characters or fonts, different text colors, embellished with borders, photos and cliparts. These may be presented like a newsletter, a sign, an advertisement, a movie or a storyboard. The computer is indeed a multipurpose machine since they may be used in business tasks and double up as a recreation apparatus such as a video game machine, a CD audio player, a VCD player for watching movies, and in some cases may be used as a television media. These things are pleasing to the eyes. Needless to say, these tasks require the sense of sight.
Today, the blind are being educated so that they could live independently and get a job. They are now learning how to earn and not just be given. The blind are being taught skills that would help them get jobs. Not just the traditional jobs like being a musician or a masseuse. Some blind persons have talents and abilities that can be used to do more than that. They can be taught other skills. One skill that is becoming essential to all is computer operation. Almost all offices have computers or use them in their operations. This is a skill which the blind should learn if they are to work in an office or in a place of work where they do tasks where computers are being utilized.
The blind are very good touch typists. But how many offices nowadays make use of the typewriter in their offices? Most workplaces now utilize word processors in place of typewriters. It is then a must for the visually impaired typist to learn how to operate the computer in order for him/her to uphold his/her job.
How do we make the blind appreciate the computer? Five years ago, we can say that technology is unkind to the blind. Multimedia computers, modern movies, mobile phones with multimedia capabilities, digital cameras, were all created for the sighted. One very popular technology nowadays is text messaging. How do we send text messages to the blind? Today however, there are innovators who create and develop technology with the visually impaired in mind. This is called adaptive technology. Adaptive technology are a range of specialized equipment, hardware and software applications designed or modified to meet the needs of blind. With these, we are able to expand technology to allow teaching the blind a much easier undertaking.
In the Philippines, there are organizations such as Resources for the Blind, Inc., that organize computer literacy programs for the blind. Locally, we have Project Luke, a non-government organization that conducts summer camp for blind high school and elementary students and give them trainings including computer literacy.
In Saint Louis University, blind students are integrated in regular classes including computer subjects. For the blind students, a special software, JAWS is being used to be able to teach them computer topics in parallel with regular students. During computer operation, the students use head phones so they can hear the screen reader without disturbing their classmates.
For the sighted, it is easy. One can play games, see three dimensional figures, watch and edit movies, morph pictures, etc. Things the computer can do which amazes the sighted. The only other way we can make the blind appreciate the computer is through their hearing. The computer can record and playback different kinds of sounds. Bird songs, roaring beasts, all kinds of music, volcano erupting, running horse, all sorts of sounds. Music is one of the blinds’ passions. With a computer, you could differentiate the classifications of music in one medium. One can also let them hear how different musical instruments would sound. One can compare the sound that an oboe, a saxophone, or a flute would make. These things they appreciate. Games involving the hearing may also be played such as guessing what kind of bird or animal makes the sound, and the like.
With the kind of computers nowadays, it is a challenge to train the blind how to operate the computer, much less to appreciate it. One would need special software just to teach them how to type. Typing and memorizing the keyboard is just one thing, what appears on the screen is another. How would one describe the cursor or the blinking character to a person who has never seen one? Indeed, when the blind starts to learn how to use the computer, they would have to work three times harder than one who is sighted. Computer programs such as JAWS is one software that makes computer operation for the blind easier. What it does is to read all texts appearing on the screen. It is compatible with word processors such that it reads back all characters, words and sentences being typed on the keyboard. It would be good if all computers accessible to the blind would install this software. The setback is the high cost of the software. A package for this software would cost thousands of pesos. Only a few institutions can afford the cost of these software.
The cost is not just the setback. A lot of the talkback software were developed abroad. So when one types Filipino words it reads them back erroneously in wrong pronunciation and intonation. For one who relies on hearing, this is really very difficult in checking if the words one typed is correct or not. I wonder if some of our talented Filipino programmers could develop such programs for the blind rather than making destructive viruses?
“We are capable of working with the sighted, playing with the sighted, and living with the sighted; and we are capable of doing it on terms of complete equality. Likewise, the sighted are capable of doing the same with us--and for the most part, I think they want to. What we need is not confrontation but understanding, an understanding that runs both ways. This means an ongoing process of communication and public education.”