Peripherals

In today's world the amount of peripherals available for the computer user is staggering, some of them can be classified into groups such as , Input and Output devices as shown below:-

Input devices are Graphics Tablets, Microphones, Scanners, Web cams, as well as the more familiar Keyboards & Mice.

Output devices are Headphones, Modems, Monitors, Printers, Projectors, and Speakers.

Some devices are both input and output such as: - Bluetooth, Fax, Sound Cards, USB & Firewire Hubs & Cards, and Video & Graphic Cards.

It is beyond the scope of this article to go into detail regarding the variations that are available for each device, however to adapt input and output devices for the disabled has created an industry that is booming in many countries.

Disability Specials.

 

Devices range from screen magnifiers, and colour contrasting software programs to screen-reading software (Text to Speech) that audibly reads computer screen contents aloud with a synthetic voice.

If web sites are created to W3Cs accessibility standards then both reading and navigation can be performed using “Screen Readers”.

Synthetic voices range in quality and accent from one product to another.

Text scanning is accomplished through optical character readers (OCR's), and software is available that will automatically scan and read out loud, in a variety of voices, the scanned document.

Talking keyboards are available that speak out the selected keys when a special key is held down.

Microsoft s “Narrator” can also speak the keys as they are typed.

Keyboards with large keys are also freely available.

Braille keyboards, refreshable Braille, and Braille embossers or printers are useful to persons who can read Braille.

Tactile or Braille labelers keeps everything identified. Screen navigation controls can make navigation easier.