Visual impairment has a profound impact on every aspect of daily living. Technology can help blind and visually impaired individuals function more efficiently and enjoy a better quality of life. The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center develops devices that address the problems of blind, visually impaired, and multi-handicapped blind people. While some of these are simple and "low tech," others use cutting-edge technology.

Talking educational devices were developed in our laboratory before they became general consumer products. We have also developed multisensory feedback form boards and manipulation boxes. They help children develop tactile identification skills and improve their fine motor skills. We have noted that both blind and sighted children become engrossed in using our hands-on educational devices.

The emphasis in our laboratory is different for visually impaired adults. For older students and those interested in careers, computer technology can be the key that opens many doors. The visual nature of computer displays, especially when it involves graphics, can also serve as a barrier. We have worked with the Artificial Reality Corp. to adapt virtual reality technology to make graphics accessible to people who cannot see a screen display. The adaptation is a virtual map we call "KnowWare." The blind user need only move a finger around the invisible, non-tangible map, and KnowWare "speaks" the names of those locations.

Rehabilitation engineers know that modifying off-the-shelf devices is an economical way to address special needs. We are using off-the-shelf components to develop a voice-controlled tape recorder. This device is intended for individuals who need to read audio books on tape, but are unable to press the buttons on a tape player due to problems such as arthritis, stroke, and cerebral palsy. People with multiple disabilities have an especially difficult time finding technology directed at their unique needs. Sometimes a slight modification of existing technology can provide a great deal of assistance without adding additional expense. We have discovered that features built into software applications such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint can be used to greatly enhance text and graphics, thereby making them visible--in some cases for the first time--to some people with visual impairment.

For more information, visit Debby Gilden's lab pages.

Collaborators: Larry Scadden, Arthur Jampolsky.