2008 Woodie Awards
New Software Allows Visually Impaired Students to Reach Their Goals
Students with visual of hearing impairments can now get a much needed helping hand wih the DSS's new computer programs.
Alex Valejo
Issue date: 10/4/06 Section: News
For most FC students typing out an assignment, interpreting a chart, or viewing a PowerPoint presentation for a class is a task that is viewed as boring or even torturous.
Visually impaired or hearing disabled students, on the other hand, find these tasks nearly impossible to accomplish. This is about to change.
Software that allows visually and hearing-impaired students to enjoy the same learning experience as the rest of their fellow classmates is making access to classroom material more universal.
Job Access with Speech is a software program that translates strokes of the keyboard into real-time auditory signals. As a student types an assignment, a converter ends a signal to a set of headphones. The student then hears the letters as the words and punctuation are being typed. For visually-impaired students this is a major benefit.
Patricia Quintero, a Cal State Fullerton graduate, lost her vision due to complications from diabetes. As a result, Quintero was plunged into a world of darkness. Thanks to the JAWS program, however, the Spanish/Latin American studies graduate is able to type an assignment for her playwriting class.
"[JAWS] enables me to listen to what I'm typing and I am able to use some of the programs that did before I lost my vision," Quintero explained.
Quintero ticked away on the keyboard as she worked on her play. Her actions were translated into spoken letters and punctuation marks by a robotic voice via the headphones.
For Quintero, the ability to write has given her a way of reaching out and connecting with her environment, something that would not be possible without the JAWS program.
"After my vision loss I've always liked writing and I use it as an instrument. As a matter of fact I keep my diary using JAWS… Christmas is coming so I'll probably be coming over here and doing my Christmas cards," she said.
Paul McKinley, Disabled Student Services lab instructor, welcomed this technology. He explained that in addition to the JAWS program, a newly acquired Microsoft Web Accessibility program will enable students who are visually impaired to access PowerPoint presentations, charts, or any other visual aids that are used in the classroom. The new software is compatible with the Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Word programs.
Visually impaired or hearing disabled students, on the other hand, find these tasks nearly impossible to accomplish. This is about to change.
Software that allows visually and hearing-impaired students to enjoy the same learning experience as the rest of their fellow classmates is making access to classroom material more universal.
Job Access with Speech is a software program that translates strokes of the keyboard into real-time auditory signals. As a student types an assignment, a converter ends a signal to a set of headphones. The student then hears the letters as the words and punctuation are being typed. For visually-impaired students this is a major benefit.
Patricia Quintero, a Cal State Fullerton graduate, lost her vision due to complications from diabetes. As a result, Quintero was plunged into a world of darkness. Thanks to the JAWS program, however, the Spanish/Latin American studies graduate is able to type an assignment for her playwriting class.
"[JAWS] enables me to listen to what I'm typing and I am able to use some of the programs that did before I lost my vision," Quintero explained.
Quintero ticked away on the keyboard as she worked on her play. Her actions were translated into spoken letters and punctuation marks by a robotic voice via the headphones.
For Quintero, the ability to write has given her a way of reaching out and connecting with her environment, something that would not be possible without the JAWS program.
"After my vision loss I've always liked writing and I use it as an instrument. As a matter of fact I keep my diary using JAWS… Christmas is coming so I'll probably be coming over here and doing my Christmas cards," she said.
Paul McKinley, Disabled Student Services lab instructor, welcomed this technology. He explained that in addition to the JAWS program, a newly acquired Microsoft Web Accessibility program will enable students who are visually impaired to access PowerPoint presentations, charts, or any other visual aids that are used in the classroom. The new software is compatible with the Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Word programs.
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