Computer use for the visually impaired

Bill Harvey describes some computer adaptations which all visually impaired people should be made aware of

Most people need to use computers. There is no reason why our visually impaired patients cannot use them and there is no reason why eye care practitioners should not offer useful advice about adapting hardware and software to ease the process.

Everybody should be aware that modern operating systems (for most people it is Windows) include some adaptations to make life easier for those with a visual impairment.

Windows systems (post-1995) have included a set of 'Accessibility Options' which may be accessed via the wheelchair icon in the control panel (Figure 1). Within this section there are a variety of sound and vision options, the majority of those of help to the visually impaired being listed under the 'display' tab.

When looking here, press the settings button and a list of options for the screen display will be shown, including 'high contrast large' and 'very large' options, as well as a 'high contrast white' option. Many computer users with failing sight are unaware of these functions and are very grateful to be told about them.

Most patients find the best adaptation themselves with trial and error and often the optometrist's role is simply to start the ball rolling. An element of self-help is always attractive.

A recent addition to the range of computer hardware supplied by Microsoft (and many thanks to the reader who pointed this out) is the Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 (www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard) which retails at around 15.

As well as the usual ergonomic and scroll features of the modern computer mouse, this includes a small red side button allowing the image on screen to be magnified up to five times. I have yet to try this out with a patient but I can see how it may be a very useful tool, bearing in mind the price.

The View System

For those interested in a more traditional CCTV-style system, Pamtrad Customs (www.pamtrad.co.uk) launched a new portable electronic magnification system at the recent BETT (education technology) Show opened by education secretary Ruth Kelly last week.

The View system in its folded down state looks just like a laptop (Figure 2) and weighs in at around just 7kg (including battery). It opens up to reveal a 15-inch full colour LCD flat screen over a moveable X-Y table top (Figure 3). Objects to be viewed are placed on this surface and a magnified image is shown on screen (Figure 4).

The system offers a range of magnification from four to 70 times, similar to many of the more established but undoubtedly more bulky CCTV units. The software has three in-built viewing modes; full colour, enhanced black and white and reverse contrast, depending on the user's preference.

A minimum of controls is generally accepted as improving user-friendliness and the system appears to be very simple to operate. All the viewing modes are auto-focusing, removing the need for any fine wheel-turning adjustment which often is very difficult for a visually impaired person.

The LED screen and electronic projection, as with many of the latest video magnifiers, removes the risk of lamps failing and the screen is advertised as having a 100,000-hour lifespan. The mains version is priced at 2,745, with a portable version including bag and battery for around 200 more.

As stated in this journal many times before, electronic magnification is becoming increasingly accessible, affordable and useful.

*For further information on the View product, email info@pamtrad.co.uk