Assistive Technology for students with Deaf-Blindness

The disability of deaf-blindness among students and even non-students of all ages has such a huge impact in their life and the life of those around them. To many people the term "deaf-blindness" they think that it means that the person is unable to both see and hear, when in fact that's not the case. The term "deaf-blindness" simply means that the person has some loss in both their vision and their ability to hear. The amount of their loss in those abilities differs from person to person and its very important to know. Knowing that information will allow better understanding on how to help the person to the utmost potential.

One major tool for not only students, but also people outside of school, with deaf-blindness is the braille keyboard. Over the years the braille keyboard has become more and more advanced. It is able to be hooked up into just about any computer and it allows those who have a hard time seeing to be able to type. Typically those with seeing disabilities are unable to write so the braille keyboard allows them to take notes in class just as well as any other student.



Another tool that is making a massive impact voice recognition, and voice to text. These programs, once difficult to make easily usable and accessible to everyday people now is practically in every person's hand. With most phones, computers, and laptops, and even some TV's, these days they have built in talk to text and a talking AI. this is a major help to those suffering from deaf-blindness. It helps in so many ways, it allows the person to communicate a lot easier with their friends and family as well as everyday tasks such as taking notes, reading, even getting directions to a destination.

With the advances in technology everyday Assistive Technology today will soon be out dated and even seem archaic. I remember just maybe ten years ago the thought of functioning AI was merely science fiction and now its in everyone's hand. I'm hoping to see the same thing for braille keyboards, but that's a bit more difficult to put into a hand held device, but I'm sure with due time there will be a way. At this point in time the basic design in made, it's just fine tuning and making it more accessible to everyday people.