ICT & Special Needs This essay focuses on the way that Mr Glassey uses ICT to overcome being blind.

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The Impact of ICT on A Person with Special Needs

Introduction

This essay focuses on the way that Mr Glassey uses ICT to overcome being blind.

Mr Glassy has been blind all his life but hasn’t let this hold him back. Over time he has developed coping methods to overcome the difficulties caused by being blind in a sight dominated society. The use of ICT has increased his freedom and flexibility.

Mr Glassey owns and runs a “virtual office” for new and small companies. His job involves taking calls for other companies; for example a new delivery business would only employ one person, the driver of the van, and it would not be feasible to staff and maintain an office to take calls. The new and small companies divert their calls to Mr Glassey’s “virtual office” service, where he takes calls on behalf of his clients.

He needs equipment that allows him to answer the phone, understand written text, make and receive calls in and out of work and even equipment for the simple things like knowing whether it is light or dark and telling what is in front when walking.

Work at Work – PC Technology

How it works

The Braille In Keyboard is a Braille keyboard where characters are entered using the chord typing system. The Braille In Keyboard connects to a standard keyboard port, like standard QWERTY keyboards. The device has the users’ national Braille code pre-installed on its’ internal flash-ROM; to change the Braille code the user can connect the device to a serial port, download the desired Braille code from the HumanWare website and install the new language to the internal flash-ROM. The Braille In Keyboard is a stand-alone device meaning it requires no resident software to function with a computer; this allows it to be a highly versatile device working flawlessly with DOS, Windows, NT, OS/2 and UNIX operating systems. The Braille In Keyboard supports all functions containing Shift, CTRL, ALT, etc that a standard QWERTY keyboard would provide; there is no loss in functionality between the two different devices. If it proves too difficult remembering all chord combinations of these functions a QWERTY keyboard can be connected to the Braille In Keyboard and both devices used simultaneously. The Braille In Keyboard features 8 ergonomically placed Braille keys, a space bar and 10 function keys that make tasks fast and easier.

How does he use it?

Mr Glassey has this specially designed keyboard connected to his computer and uses it to perform all the tasks that a normal person would use a standard 102 key QWERTY Keyboard for, for example, typing a word document, filling out an internet form or entering a password. Mr Glassey uses this keyboard to type grade 2 Braille, English with many contractions and abbreviations.

Why does he use it?

Mr Glassey works in an office and he uses the Braille In Keyboard for accuracy and comfort when working at a computer. He uses the Braille In Keyboard because it allows him to quickly perform Shift, CTRL, ALT, etc functions. Mr Glassy also uses the Braille In Keyboard for the 10 function buttons, which further increase his accuracy and comfort.

What are his needs?

Mr Glassey needs a keyboard that gives him the same level of function as a standard 102 key QWERTY Keyboard. From a keyboard he requires:

  • The ability to create grade 2 Braille
  • Use Shift, CTRL, ALT, etc functions
  • Type at a reasonable speed
  • Be ergonomically designed for comfort.
  • Compatible with any computer he has to use

How does it meet his needs?

The Braille In Keyboard does allow Mr Glassey to create grade 2 Braille, due to the chord system of typing. The device allows him to perform Shift, CTRL, ALT, etc functions, whether it be by using a standard QWERTY keyboard in conjunction with the Braille In Keyboard or using the button combinations on the device itself. Grade 2 Braille offers a way of typing that matches the speed of standard of typing because the Braille In Keyboard allows Grade 2 Braille to be typed; it fulfils his need for a reasonable typing speed. The Braille In Keyboard needs no computer resident software to run, this means it is compatible with all computers, except for Macintosh based systems. As most ICT systems are Microsoft or UNIX it is unlikely that Mr Glassey will encounter compatibility issues.

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Evaluation

The Braille In Keyboard does an amazing job at emulating a standard 102 QWERTY keyboards and offers a larger amount of flexibility; Mr Glassey is using a device which is well suited to his needs. It is very effective at meeting his needs; all aspects of the device have been well thought out rather than token gestures towards functional features. The Braille In Keyboard does not however offer the same level of functionality as at standard 130 QWERTY keyboard.

If Mr Glassey was looking for an alternative to the Braille In Keyboard he could use a standard ...

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