From CNET... -ac
Devices help the blind cross tech divide
Jerry Swerdlick runs a 15-employee company that resells computers and
devices that aid people with visual, hearing, learning and other
physical disabilities. Business is really booming these days, Swerdlick
said, as more and more manufacturers are building so-called assistive
technology gadgets to address a wide range of special needs groups. And
while he takes bigger and bigger orders from his clients, the mere fact
that he is able to spend many hours on the computer is a testament to
how far assistive technology designs have come in recent years.
That's because Swerdlick is legally blind.
"I can't see out of one eye and I've got 20/2400 vision in the other.
When the doctor asks me to read the chart on the wall, I tell him, "I
can't even see the wall much less the chart,'" Swerdlick joked.
He started his company, Electronic Vision Access Solutions (EVAS), in
Westerly, R.I., 26 years ago. In the early days, he went door to door
with his wife selling a camera that when hooked up to a speech
synthesizer could read aloud what appeared in print. EVAS has gone on to
improve its speech synthesizers and contribute bits to things like
software that makes print appear larger. In July, EVAS started work on
what will be the first of four one-year contracts with Dell to provide
technology for disabled veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. About 1,000 veterans participating in rehabilitation programs
for the blind will receive customized Dell OptiPlex computers, monitors,
printers and scanners. The PCs are shipped with both large print and
Braille guides for quick, easy setup and outfitted with software and
peripherals.
<snip>
http://news.com.com/2102-1041_3-5888810.html
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Andy Carvin
Program Director
EDC Center for Media & Community
acarvin @ edc . org
http://www.digitaldivide.net
http://katrina05.blogspot.com
Blog: http://www.andycarvin.com
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