Computer Low Vision AidsComputer low vision aids are a great help for those with macular degeneration - today more than ever. Screen magnifiers, software magnification, and large number keyboards can keep you enjoying your computer.
PC Screen MagnifierConsider that now all computers can be adjusted for: √ brightness √ color √ font size √ background color for contrast These features alone can make it much easier for you to read e-mails versus letters and to write to others instead of hand writing.
Windows MagnifierThere are several software programs that are really so amazing - from print enlargement programs to talking computer programs.However, before you buy be sure to consider the system requirements. They will be printed on the outside of the box or in the description section if you are buying on-line or from a catalog.
Print Enlargement ProgramsThese programs allow you to magnify the words from 2x to 36x - which simply means that the words will be two to thirty-six times larger than regular print. At this size most people with macular degeneration can read anything on their computer. The two most recommended software are ZoomText Level 1 by AiSquared and MAGic by Henter-Joyce.Not only can you select your font size with this computer low vision aid, you can also choose to use the color enhancer or a highlighting feature.
Talking Computer ProgramsThis computer low vision aid actually is a program that reads out loud to you.These programs will read to you whatever is on the computer screen
- it speaks every word on the screen. JAWS for Windows by Freedom Scientific and Window-Eyes by G. W. Micro are two options.
Print Enlargement and Talking Computer SoftwareIf you want a software that does both - enlarges the print and reads to you - that is an option as well. These programs can do just the enlargement or just the reading or you can choose to have it do both at the same time. ZoomText by AiSquared and MAGic by Henter-Joyce both offer this type of software. Click here to learn more: Talking ComputerSpeech to Text ConverterIf you reach a point where you find that using a key board is too difficult you can move to a voice recognition software.This software will follow your verbal instructions without the use of a mouse or keyboard. It can type on the screen whatever you words you speak. Some options are Dragon Naturally Speaking and ViaVoice. Click here to learn more:
Large Print KeyboardLow vision keyboards provide:√ Large print letters √ Bold typeface √ Contrasting colors - White on Black, Black on yellow or Black on Ivory You can purchase large letter stick-ons that you put on the individual keys. As you can see, they are almost the same price as a large print keyboard - so I would skip the hassle and just get the low vision keyboard.
Monitors and AccessoriesOne computer low vision aid that makes is a big difference is your computer monitor. With print enlargement programs the bigger the monitor the better. A 17 inch monitor is increasingly becoming a standard size. The increased size of the screen provides a larger viewable area which is especially important if your are using a print or screen magnifcation software.Monitor sizes that are commonly available are 17, 19" and 21".Of course the larger the size the more expensive the monitor will be. Monitors use different types of technology including Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). LCD monitors have less flicker compared with conventional monitors. This can be valuable for people with macular degeneration if they find flicker on a conventional monitor unacceptable. LCD screens are more expensive than conventional monitors. Flat screens usually give a larger viewing area and have less glare than curved screens.
Contact Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
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