WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.500
[ Music ]

00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.490
(Narrator) A generation
ago, personal computers

00:00:18.490 --> 00:00:20.980
began to make their
mark on the world.

00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:23.120
It was the beginning
of an incredible change

00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:24.550
in the way we do things.

00:00:24.550 --> 00:00:27.020
For people with
disabilities, that change

00:00:27.020 --> 00:00:28.976
was even more profound.

00:00:28.976 --> 00:00:31.100
(Dan) For the first time,
people with disabilities,

00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:32.770
particularly people
who are blind,

00:00:32.770 --> 00:00:34.870
had a chance to
compete successfully,

00:00:34.870 --> 00:00:36.040
using the computer.

00:00:36.040 --> 00:00:38.970
(Stephanie) I found
that computers opened up

00:00:38.970 --> 00:00:43.400
a whole new world, and I could
get a lot of stuff in Braille.

00:00:43.400 --> 00:00:45.530
What I can do is I can
use my screen reader

00:00:45.530 --> 00:00:49.790
to get into a different program; 
I can type something up

00:00:49.790 --> 00:00:52.770
just regularly on the
computer, hit three buttons,

00:00:52.770 --> 00:00:54.810
and it will be in Braille
right in front of me

00:00:54.810 --> 00:00:55.730
on a piece of paper.

00:00:55.730 --> 00:01:01.700
(Israel) The program
I use for speech

00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:08.000
helps me read
everything like email,

00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:11.450
and if I look for
information about something,

00:01:11.450 --> 00:01:13.740
it will tell me the results.

00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:16.450
(Narrator) They're talking
about adaptive technology:

00:01:16.450 --> 00:01:19.130
software and hardware
systems that assist computer

00:01:19.130 --> 00:01:21.600
and Internet access for
people with disabilities.

00:01:21.600 --> 00:01:24.670
(Dan Comden) The technology
that we have available

00:01:24.670 --> 00:01:26.540
is appropriate for
people with a wide range

00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:27.840
of sensory impairments.

00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:31.060
Everything for somebody with
a minor hearing impairment,

00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:33.420
where we might do some
captioning or special blinking

00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:36.940
on the screen, to somebody who's
blind, who needs speech output,

00:01:36.940 --> 00:01:39.500
or maybe wants to incorporate
speech output with speech input.

00:01:40.232 --> 00:01:41.940
(Narrator) People with
sensory impairment

00:01:41.940 --> 00:01:45.620
are affected in the way they
use vision, hearing, or touch.

00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:47.790
They may have a slight
loss of ability,

00:01:47.790 --> 00:01:50.744
or they may be completely
unable to use one or more

00:01:50.744 --> 00:01:52.164
of their senses.

00:01:57.010 --> 00:02:11.560
(Michael Richardson) Sensory 
impairments affect people in

00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:13.540
a variety of ways, depending on
how well they've adjusted

00:02:13.540 --> 00:02:16.370
to their disability,
how significant it is.

00:02:16.370 --> 00:02:18.850
For me personally, with a
significant, profound hearing loss,

00:02:18.850 --> 00:02:21.930
I have issues
with communication.

00:02:21.930 --> 00:02:23.540
Hearing and talking
on a regular phone

00:02:23.540 --> 00:02:25.090
is nearly impossible for me.

00:02:25.090 --> 00:02:26.762
However, the use
of computers lately

00:02:26.762 --> 00:02:28.720
has really enhanced my
communication abilities,

00:02:28.720 --> 00:02:30.320
especially with
the use of email.

00:02:30.320 --> 00:02:34.180
With email, I'm able to communicate 
with anybody anywhere, anytime.

00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:36.640
(Narrator) Some people
with sensory impairments

00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:39.890
may not need adaptive
technology for computer access.

00:02:39.890 --> 00:02:43.060
Others will require
significant enhancements.

00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:45.150
To decide what
works best for you,

00:02:45.150 --> 00:02:47.080
start by determining
what you want to be

00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:48.590
able to do with the computer.

00:02:48.590 --> 00:02:51.480
Then choose accommodations
that help you do those things.

00:02:51.480 --> 00:02:55.130
(Dan) It's absolutely vital that
somebody with a disability be

00:02:55.130 --> 00:02:57.730
involved in the decision-making
process when it comes

00:02:57.730 --> 00:02:59.940
to selecting their
adaptive technology.

00:02:59.940 --> 00:03:02.420
They're the experts who
know what they need,

00:03:02.420 --> 00:03:06.030
so it's imperative that they be
part of evaluating what's going

00:03:06.030 --> 00:03:07.440
to be a successful solution.

00:03:07.440 --> 00:03:11.310
(Justin) Adaptive technology
has helped me out a great deal.

00:03:11.310 --> 00:03:15.000
I can get on the Internet and
access anything I want to with

00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:18.520
voice output on the
computer, and it, you know,

00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:21.084
it's just really
helped me out a lot.

00:03:21.084 --> 00:03:23.500
(Narrator) We'll show you some
of the computing tools that

00:03:23.500 --> 00:03:26.570
people with sensory impairments
have used successfully.

00:03:26.570 --> 00:03:28.550
These are just some
of the options;

00:03:28.550 --> 00:03:30.780
there are always other
approaches to try,

00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:32.380
and new hardware
and software are

00:03:32.380 --> 00:03:34.590
being developed all the time.

00:03:34.590 --> 00:03:40.260
(Narrator) We'll start
with visual impairments.

00:03:40.260 --> 00:03:42.080
First, a definition.

00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:44.340
Low vision is a loss
of visual acuity

00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:46.440
while retaining some vision.

00:03:46.440 --> 00:03:48.730
People may have
uniform low vision,

00:03:48.730 --> 00:03:52.570
or they may have variations such
as tunnel vision or alternating

00:03:52.570 --> 00:03:55.440
areas of vision and
total blindness.

00:03:55.440 --> 00:03:59.400
There may be light sensitivity,
or an inability to see colors.

00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:03.014
People who are blind have very
little or no vision at all.

00:04:03.014 --> 00:04:05.180
(Ryan) Now I'm going to
Internet Explorer right now.

00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:06.179
(Screen reader) http...

00:04:06.179 --> 00:04:08.930
(Narrator) Speech output is
the most popular form of access

00:04:08.930 --> 00:04:10.470
for people who are blind.

00:04:10.470 --> 00:04:12.420
This software
allows the computer

00:04:12.420 --> 00:04:15.404
to read aloud text,
email, or Web pages.

00:04:15.404 --> 00:04:16.820
(Screen reader)
Page has 31 links.

00:04:16.820 --> 00:04:19.290
(Narrator) Ryan, a high
school student who is blind,

00:04:19.290 --> 00:04:20.635
uses this type of software.

00:04:20.635 --> 00:04:22.760
(Ryan) It can tell you all
the stuff on the screen,

00:04:22.760 --> 00:04:25.630
and it speaks through
your sound card.

00:04:25.630 --> 00:04:28.360
It's good for surfing
the Web, doing email,

00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:30.250
or doing your reports.

00:04:30.250 --> 00:04:34.260
I can go into a Word
document, I can start typing,

00:04:34.260 --> 00:04:36.809
it will speak the
character as I'm typing it.

00:04:36.809 --> 00:04:38.600
(Screen reader)
W..I..N..D..O..W..S period.

00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:42.490
(Ryan) I can also have it read
to me exactly what I've typed,

00:04:42.490 --> 00:04:45.120
so I can know if I made
any spelling mistakes.

00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:46.960
(Screen reader) I like 
Jaws for Windows.

00:04:46.960 --> 00:04:49.320
(Narrator) People who are blind
use a standard keyboard for input.

00:04:49.850 --> 00:04:52.141
That standard keyboard also
controls the screen reader.

00:04:52.141 --> 00:04:55.070
(Screen reader) Link
reference tools.

00:04:55.070 --> 00:04:55.890
Enter.

00:04:55.890 --> 00:04:57.340
(Narrator) Braille
output systems

00:04:57.340 --> 00:04:59.320
are also available
for those who need

00:04:59.320 --> 00:05:02.610
more detailed information
than speech output provides.

00:05:02.610 --> 00:05:05.390
Refreshable Braille
displays echo information

00:05:05.390 --> 00:05:07.860
from the screen to a
panel with Braille cells

00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:09.270
with moveable pins.

00:05:09.270 --> 00:05:11.510
To print materials
for later reference,

00:05:11.510 --> 00:05:13.630
a Braille embosser gives
a permanent record.

00:05:13.630 --> 00:05:15.570
(Teacher) You have
about eight minutes...

00:05:15.570 --> 00:05:18.410
(Narrator) Portable notetakers,
using speech or Braille,

00:05:18.410 --> 00:05:20.577
can be invaluable
for people on the go.

00:05:20.577 --> 00:05:21.910
(Student) I'm writing this down.

00:05:21.910 --> 00:05:26.070
(Narrator) Many people with low vision
use screen enlargement software.

00:05:26.070 --> 00:05:30.040
This enlarges text and graphics
displayed on the monitor.

00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:32.540
You can also use 
closed circuit TVs,

00:05:32.540 --> 00:05:35.720
or video magnifiers, to
enlarge printed materials

00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:36.900
or photographs.

00:05:36.900 --> 00:05:39.070
This camera has auto
focus and can be

00:05:39.070 --> 00:05:40.920
used with a computer monitor.

00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:44.176
(Nate) You slide your
paper under and then just

00:05:44.176 --> 00:05:45.550
fool with the
knobs a bit and you

00:05:45.550 --> 00:05:47.380
can get it as big or
as small as you like.

00:05:47.380 --> 00:05:49.910
(Narrator) For those who
are sensitive to light,

00:05:49.910 --> 00:05:52.660
the enlargement systems
can also reverse the screen

00:05:52.660 --> 00:05:55.440
from black on white
to white on black.

00:05:55.440 --> 00:05:57.710
And large print
keytop labels may

00:05:57.710 --> 00:05:59.630
be helpful for people
with low vision

00:05:59.630 --> 00:06:01.380
who are learning to type.

00:06:01.380 --> 00:06:07.590
(Buffy) I have a
question about this word.

00:06:07.590 --> 00:06:08.340
What does it mean?

00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:10.090
(Narrator) People with
hearing impairments

00:06:10.090 --> 00:06:12.360
may have partial or
complete hearing loss.

00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:15.460
And for general computer
use, there's very little need

00:06:15.460 --> 00:06:17.140
for adaptive technology.

00:06:17.140 --> 00:06:20.270
Built-in operating features
offer visual alternatives

00:06:20.270 --> 00:06:22.100
to audio signals.

00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:25.030
(Buffy) For example, when you
get a signal from the computer

00:06:25.030 --> 00:06:31.750
like a beep or a honk that says
you've done something wrong,

00:06:31.750 --> 00:06:35.540
then they can make it do
something else to show me that

00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:36.820
something's wrong.

00:06:36.820 --> 00:06:40.590
(Narrator) Streaming multimedia
is a concern for people who can't hear.

00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:45.100
Captioning for videos, or
audio transcribed into text,

00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.060
are ideal.

00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:49.320
However, most content
developers don't include this.

00:06:49.320 --> 00:06:50.700
Some do.

00:06:50.700 --> 00:06:59.220
(Jeffrey) When I use
my computer at home,

00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:01.960
some of the games and so
forth, and the Internet,

00:07:01.960 --> 00:07:04.500
has closed captioning.

00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:06.250
(Narrator) For
immediate conversation,

00:07:06.250 --> 00:07:08.030
people who are deaf
or hard of hearing

00:07:08.030 --> 00:07:10.060
have some electronic options.

00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:12.910
One choice is instant
messaging software.

00:07:12.910 --> 00:07:16.390
Another is to use a TTY
or TDD device, which

00:07:16.390 --> 00:07:19.060
sends typed messages
over telephone lines.

00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:22.900
The newer TTY or TDD
versions allow conversation

00:07:22.900 --> 00:07:25.050
between someone with
a computer and someone

00:07:25.050 --> 00:07:26.705
using the TTY or TDD.

00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:35.250
(User) Final fourth-quarter projections?

00:07:35.250 --> 00:07:38.230
(Computer) Final fourth
dash quarter projections?

00:07:38.230 --> 00:07:40.630
(Narrator) People with limited
sensitivity in their hands or fingers

00:07:40.630 --> 00:07:44.520
may not be able to use 
a standard keyboard and mouse.

00:07:44.520 --> 00:07:47.550
Speech input software allows
them to control a computer

00:07:47.550 --> 00:07:48.950
and enter text.

00:07:48.950 --> 00:07:51.830
If the loss of sensitivity
is peripheral neuropathy

00:07:51.830 --> 00:07:55.290
due to diabetes, there may
be vision loss as well.

00:07:55.290 --> 00:07:58.660
In that case, speech output can
be combined with speech input,

00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:01.270
using middleware to
connect the two programs.

00:08:01.270 --> 00:08:04.170
(Computer) Pay close attention
to the recognition accuracy

00:08:04.170 --> 00:08:04.810
of the system.

00:08:04.810 --> 00:08:07.870
(Dan) Middleware allows
the speech output software

00:08:07.870 --> 00:08:10.240
to work with the
speech input software;

00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:13.450
it brings the two together
so that the person who

00:08:13.450 --> 00:08:15.830
is speaking and
listening to the computer

00:08:15.830 --> 00:08:19.030
can have a successful
experience.

00:08:19.030 --> 00:08:20.990
(Narrator) Selecting
adaptive technology

00:08:20.990 --> 00:08:23.400
should be based on
individual needs.

00:08:23.400 --> 00:08:26.800
For education, employment,
and everything else,

00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:28.840
it's all about success.

00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:30.490
(Michael) The
advancement of technology

00:08:30.490 --> 00:08:32.710
and the use of computers
in the last 10 or 15 years

00:08:32.710 --> 00:08:34.309
has just been
phenomenal, especially

00:08:34.309 --> 00:08:35.720
for people with disabilities.

00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:37.900
And to see my peers, 
other people with disabilities,

00:08:37.900 --> 00:08:40.179
succeed well in
school and careers

00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.380
is just a wonderful sight,

00:08:42.380 --> 00:08:44.510
and who knows 
what the future holds.

00:08:44.510 --> 00:09:29.144