LOW AND LOWER VISION STRATEGIES
THROUGH A LOOKING GLASS
SIGHT IN AN ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENT
SURVIVAL IN CYBER SPACE
Text By SUPERADAPTOID
INTRODUCTION
Assuming you can hear this text, we know you are not deaf. Assuming you
can see this text, we know you are not blind. If you are hearing impaired
[hard-of-hearing] we will try to speak clearly. If you are sight impaired
[with low vision] we will -- use CAPITAL LETTERS, TO ENHANCE THE TEXT,
BECAUSE WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU AGAIN.
REMEMBER THE EYE CHART ON YOUR DOCTOR'S WALL WAS DEVELOPED NEARLY A CENTURY
AGO? WELL THE KEYBOARD YOU USE WAS ALSO IN DEVELOPMENT NEARLT A CENTURY AGO
NEITHER EYE CHART OR KEYBOARD WERE MADE TO MEET MODERN COMPUTERS AND ADAPTIVE
TECHNOLOGY.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS WRITTEN TO INTRODUCE LOW VISION INDIVIDUALS TO THE
WORLD OF ADAPTIVE COMPUTER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY. FIRST TIME "USERS" AS THEY
EXPLORE THE WORLD THROUGH ADAPTIVE COMPUTING. AS THIS DISCUSSION WILL NOTE,
THERE IS NEED FOR LOW COST "ADAPTATIONS" TO MAKE THE COMPUTER AN "ACCESSABE"
TOOL FOR "ASSISTIVE" LIVING. MANY LOW COST ADAPTATIONS WILL NOT BE FOUND
"READY-MADE" OR OFF-THE-SHELF IN ANY STORE. IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH YOUR
EFFORTS THIS ARTICLE WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS,
DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS, AND OTHER ALLIED PROFESSIONALS.
DO IT YOURSELF ADAPTATIONS
STANDARD KEYBOARDS
DO YOU KNOW YOUR KEYBOARD AND CAN YOU FIND YOUR KEYS?
WHEN SIGHT DECLINES, TOUCH FAILS, AND FINGERS WONDER.
AS SIGHT FAILS:
WE ARE GOING TO APPROACH LOW VISION TO BLINDNESS "PROGRESSIVELY". UNDERSTANDING
FULLY THAT FOR MANY THE "TRIP" CAN BE A SHORT ONE.
WHEN YOU NO LONGER SEE THE KEY LETTERS
WHAT TO DO
THE FIRST STEP IS TO "ENHANCE" YOUR KEYBOARD VISUALLY. YOUR TWO OPTIONS
ARE "SIZE" AND "COLOR". WE ARE GOING TO "TRANSFORM" YOUR STANDARD KEYBOARD
INTO A "CUSTOM" ADAPTED KEYBOARD. WE WILL START WITH "LARGE LETTERS" AND
"COLOR BANDED" KEY TOPS. DO NOT WAIT. DO IT NOW. WHILE YOU STILL HAVE
THE SIGHT TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR FAVORITE OFFICE SUPPLY BUSINESS AND MAKE THE FOLLOWING
PURCHASES:
- ... COLORED [Self Stick] DOTS [Key Top Size]. THESE ARE YOUR NEW "BANDED" KEY COLORS
- ... ENGINEER'S [Self Stick] BOLD [Capital Case] PLASIC LETTERS [Key Top Size]. THESE ARE YOUR NEW KEY LETTERS
- SELECT THE "BRIGHTEST" COLORS AND THE "BOLDEST" LETTERS YOU CAN SEE AND STAND
- ... COLORS SHOULD "CLASH", NOT CONTRAST
- ... ENGINEERING LETTERS SHOULD STAND-OUT AGAINST THESE COLORS
- PURCHASE A CAN OF OFFICE APPLIANCE CLEANER [To Clean Your Keyboard Surface]
- PURCHASE A CAN OF COMPRESSED AIR [To Blow-Out The Keyboard Enterior]
- ON YOUR WAY HOME FROM THE OFFICE SUPPLY ... STOP AT A VARIETY STORE AND PURCHASE:
- ... ONE BOTTLE OF "CLEAR" FINGERNAIL POLISH [To Coat And Seal The Key Tops]
- NOW WHAT TO DO NEXT:
- ... DISCONNECT KEYBOARD FROM COMPUTER
- ... TURN KEYBOARD OVER [Keys Down] AND USE COMPRESSED AIR [To Blow-Out Enterior]
- ... RE-CONNECT THE KEYBOARD, TEST IT, THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN
- ... TURN KEYBOARD OVER [Keys Down] AND USE OFFICE APPLIANCE CLEANER [To Wash Exterior Key Surfaces]
- ... LET DRY [Keys Down]
- ... RE-CONNECT THE KEYBOARD, TEST IT, THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN
- CONGRADULATIONS ... YOU NOW HAVE A "CLEAN" KEYBOARD !
- ... REMEMBER THE KEYBOARD SHOULD BE DISCONNECTED AGAIN
- CHANCES ARE YOU ONLY FOUND TWO OR THREE "CLASHING" REALLY "VIVID" [Self Sticking] COLOR DOTS
- TWO OR THREE COLORS WILL BE ENOUGH ... MORE THAN SIX WOULD BE TO MUCH !
- ... STARTING AT THE LEFT HAND COLUMN ... SELECT A COLOR ... AND APPLY DOTS TO KEYS 1, Q, A, Z. THIS IS THE FIRST COLOR BAND.
- ... REPEAT THE SAME COLOR AND APPLY DOTS TO KEYS 2, W, S, C. THIS COMPLETES THE FIRST COLOR BAND
- SMOOTH DOWN THE COLOR DOTS ACROSS THE KEY TOP AND AROUND THE SIDES. A BLOW DRIER AND A LITTLE HEAT CAN HELP TO GET A GOOD "STICK"
- ... CONTINUE TO SELECT COLORS AND APPLY DOTS IN "BANDS" ACROSS THE KEYBOARD UNTIL THE ALPHA NUMERIC KEYS ARE COVERED
- COLORING CONTROL KEYS, AND THE NUMBER PAD, SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY SINCE THEY ARE IN UNIQUE LOCATIONS AND COMBINATIONS. IT'S YOUR CHOICE
- ... CHECK EACH KEY [Top And Sides] FOR A SECURE FIT
- ... VERY CAREFULLY ... COAT TO SEAL EACH KEY [Top And Sides] WITH "CLEAR" FINGERNAIL POLISH
- ... LET DRY ... A HAIR DRIER, AND A LITTLE HEAT, CAN HELP.
- ... RE-CONNECT THE KEYBOARD, TEST IT, FREE [Any Sticky Keys], THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN
- ... APPLY PLASTIC LETTERS TO KEY FACES [Use: Bold Capital Case]
- ... VERY CAREFULLY ... APPLY A SECOND COAT OF FINGERNAIL POLISH TO SEAL THE KEY TOP LETTER
- ... LET DRY ... SLOWLY FOR 12 HOURS
- ... RE-CONNECT THE KEYBOARD, TEST IT, FREE [Any Sticky Keys]
CONGRADULATIONS YOU DID IT !
NOW WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO ?
WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN THE "BIG LETTERS" ARE GONE,
THE "COLOR BANDS" ARE GOING,
THE FINGERS WONDER,
AND YOU THINK YOU LOST YOUR "TOUCH".
THE SECOND STEP IS TO ENHANCE YOUR KEYBOARD TACTILEY. IF YOU CAN NOT SEE IT, THEN CAN YOU FEEL IT ?
OUR OPTIONS ARE TOUCH AND FEEL. NOT TOUCH AND GO ! EVEN THE TOUCH OF AN ELEPHANT IS BETTER THAN NO
TOUCH AT ALL. BEFORE YOU FILE YOUR FINGERTIPS LIKE AN OLD TIME SAFE CRACKER ...
- BACK WE GO AGAIN, SHOPPING AT YOUR FAVORITY VARIETY STORE TO PURCHASE:
- ... PLASTIC [Headed] PUSH-PINS.
- ... GOOP [Brand] GLUE.
- ... VELCRO [Self Stick] DOTS [Size Small].
- ... WIRE CUTTER [Electrical Type Side Cutter].
- YOU STILL HAVE THE "CLEAR" FINGERNAIL POLISH?
- NOW WHAT TO DO NEXT:
- YOU STILL HAVE THE OFFICE APPLIANCE CLEANER?
- ... DISCONNECT THE KEYBOARD.
- ... CLEAN THE KEY TOPS.
- ... LET DRY.
- STARTING AT THE LEFT COLUMN ... ATTACH THE SCATCHY VELCRO [Hook Side] UP.
- ... ON THE FIRST "COLOR BAND" ROW 1, Q, A, Z, AND THE SECOND ROW 2, W, S, X.
- ... "SKIP" THE NEXT "COLOR BAND" ROW ... AND REPEAT THE PROCESS ACROSS EVERY OTHER "COLOR BAND" ROW(s).
- ... PRESS FIRMLY AND CHECK EACH KEY TOP FOR FIT.
- ... VERY CAREFULLY ... COAT TO SEAL EACH KEY TOP WITH FINGERNAIL POLISH [Right Over The Velcro].
- ... LET DRY ... SLOWLY FOR TWELVE HOURS.
- NOW FOR THE PUSH PINS ... TAKE THE WIRE CUTTERS AND CUT THE SHAFTS FROM THE PLASTIC PUSH-PIN [Heads].
- ... ATTACH PLASTIC PUSH-PIN HEADS AT THE CORNER EDGES OF THE ALPHA NUMERIC, CENTER CONTROL, AND NUMERIC KEY PADS. YOU ARE OUTLINING THE KEY SETS ON YOUR KEYBOARD BY ATTACHING "TOUCH TOWERS" JUST ABOVE THE KEY-SURFACE.
- ... USE GOOP [Brand] GLUE ... BECAUES IT IS FLEXABLE.
- "TOUCH TOWERS" ARE NAVIGATION AIDES, TELLING YOU WHERE THE KEY SETS BEGIN AND END, WITHOUT SKIMMING YOUR FINGHERS ACROSS KEYS.
- PUTTING MORE "TOUCH TOWERS" AT SPECIFIC PLACES IN LINE CAN ELIMINATE THE NECESSITY TO "COUNT KEYS" WITH YOUR FINGERTIPS.
- "TOUCH TOWERS" REDUCE "TRIGGERING" MIS-KEYED ACCIDENTS, AND ARE FASTER !
- ... ATTACH "TOUCH TOWERS" DIRECTLY TO YOUR IMPORTANT KEYS ... SUCH AS: ESCAPE, BACKSPACE, SLASH, ALT, CONTROL. THE KEYS YOU WANT TO FIND QUICKLY.
- ... RE-CONNECT THE KEYBOARD, TEST IT, FREE [Any Sticky Keys]
CONGRADULATIONS YOU DID IT AGAIN !
NOW WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO ?
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
LOW VISION SURVIVAL STRATEGIES.
- SCREEN TEXT "READERS" and FULL FEATURED SPEECH.
- WHEN YOU SEE A LITTLE ... BUT CAN'T READ ALOT.
- RUNNING BLIND IN WINDOWS
- ... RUNNING WINDOWS BLIND.
- KEYBOARD STRATEGY TUTORIALS
- ... ALTERNATIVES TO THE MOUSE.
- SPECIAL PROGRAMS for SPECIAL PROBLEMS.
- ... WHEN LOW VISION IS THE LEAST OF OUR PROBLEMS.
- ... WHEN LOW VISION IS BECOMING NO VISION.
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