COMPENDIUM OF TECHNOLOGY FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS Developed by THE SMITH-KETTLEWELL REHABILITATION ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER John Brabyn, Ph.D., Director Arthur Jampolsky, M.D., Co-Director Deborah Gilden, Ph.D., Associate Director The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 2318 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94115 Tel: (415) 345-2125 Fax: (415) 345-8455 E-mail: rerc@ski.org World Wide Web: http://www.ski.org/Rehab/ PREFACE The Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) conducts research and development into technology for blind and visually impaired individuals. The purpose of this Compendium is to make available a representative compilation of specific technology solutions we have developed. The major emphasis of this publication is on aids and devices designed to assist the blind individual in the workplace. However, in addition, technology we have developed for orientation and mobility, education, low vision, and deaf-blindness are also included. The Compendium is not intended to be exhaustive, but contains a representative sampling of the major projects undertaken by the RERC over the past decade or more. For each entry in the Compendium, information on availability of the device or technology is included. Persons interested in duplicating or applying any of the described devices for their own needs are encouraged to call the RERC office for assistance. While some of the devices described are commercially available, others can be made available at cost from the Center's privately funded Rehabilitation Engineering Service, and in most cases circuit diagrams are available free of charge from which devices can be fabricated locally. Many of the designs are published in the Smith-Kettlewell Technical File (a biannual technical magazine for blind individuals), along with detailed fabrication instructions. In cases where special modifications or adaptations to the existing designs are needed, or even when a competely new and innovative device is called for, our staff is available for consultation and technical assistance. Blind and visually impaired consumers, rehabilitation personnel and other professionals who are encountering problems in the workplace or home for which special technological solutions might be developed are encouraged to contact the Center to discuss their needs. It is hoped that this Compendium will serve to illustrate the types of solutions which can be developed to solve a wide variety of such vocational and daily living problems. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research and development necessary to produce the technology described in this Compendium was made possible by grants from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute. We wish to acknowledge the many blind and visually impaired consumers, employees, students, parents and teachers who have collaborated with us in technology development, and from whom many of the ideas contained herein originated. Acknowledgment is also made to Lesley Brabyn, Editor of the Smith-Kettlewell Catalogue of Vocational and Educational Aids, from which substantial material for this Compendium was derived. TRADEMARKS Rather than put trademark symbols throughout this volume, we are using the names only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I. VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SECTION II. DAILY LIVING, HEALTH, AND HOBBY TECHNOLOGY SECTION III. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONTENTS SECTION IV. ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TECHNOLOGY CONTENTS SECTION V. PEDIATRIC AND LOW VISION TECHNOLOGY CONTENTS THE SMITH-KETTLEWELL REHABILITATION ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER FOR SENSORY AIDS: AN OVERVIEW