When we searched for computers for the blind, we found Technology Development Association for the Disabled, which focuses on promoting tools and technological products for the visually impaired. We left a message on the association’s Facebook wall, and Miss Cheng from the association replied with a positive answer. Below is the record of our visit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology Development Association for the Disabled

Date: January 17th 2012 Weather: Sunny

Location: Technology Development Association for the Disabled, Taipei

We took the MRT to Minquan W. Road Station and walked to ChingGuang Building, wherein the association is. We found a Braille notice on the wall before we entered the elevator. When we stepped into the office, there were many people in the association. Most of the people in the office seem to be visually impaired. After we explained what we came for, Miss Yu-Ting Lin arranged Mr. Hung-Chia Chen, Mr. Kuan-Wu Chen, and Mr. Chun-Hung Liu to give us a lecture on the tools, technology, and Braille typing for amblyopia and blindness. Here’s the introduction:

 

 

 

 

1.Tools for amblyopia:

• a.Amblyopia magnifier:Some lenses become darker while magnifying, so it is easier to see with
• lighting.
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• b.Reading aids:Electronic reading aids help to enlarge prints. It works like a camera by zooming in images. However, it can only zoom in one image each time, and it cannot save images. Mr. Kuan-Wu said that reading aids were all imported and cost at least NT$ 20000 per machine.
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• c.Special colored glasses:Each amblyopia patient is sensitive to different spectral colors that there are glasses of different colors.
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• d.Telescopes:Mr. Hung-Chia told us that telescopes for the visually impaired are way more expensive than the ones we use. He uses them to read bus numbers.

 

2. Technological products for the visually impaired

• a.Blind mice:After downloading blind mice, wherever the mouse points to the images are enlarged. The program reads text from a computer. The use of blind mice requires professional training, and the association is where one can receive such training.
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• b. Touchscreen:
• Touchscreen shows a row of words on the website with Braille words. The touchscreen we saw at Mr. Vincent Chiu’s house is the same as the one they have at the association. With the help of blind mice and touchscreen, Mr. Hung-Chia can shop online, which is something he likes to do a lot. Mr. Hung-Chia showed us a website for the visually impaired to shop. There are even voice verification codes for the input of ID and password. It is a thoughtful website that the visually impaired would feel at ease to shop.
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• c.Computer game for the visually impaired: This is a game that the player has to listen carefully before throwing knives at targets. The player has to react fast and responds with arrow keys. For us who can see, it is fair when we turn off the screen. In the trial game, Yen-Ching beat game master Tzu-Hsuan.

For us who can see, it is fair when we turn off the screen.

 

 

• d.Auto-reader:Auto-reader reads for the blind. It can magically read the text of a book. The reader has three buttons: Eng, Odd, and Even, which represent English, odd page, and even page. To read, one simply needs to open the book and place one page on the reader. Press Odd or Even. If the page is even but the button pressed is odd, you will see only garbled text on screen. If your guess is right, you will get correct sentences. There are inevitable mistakes with certain words. We think it’s like a Doraemon product which was designed for lazy Nobita. Many students should wish to have a machine like this.
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3.The Braille system

Mr. Chun-Hung Liu told us that the Braille system was invented by a Frenchman two hundred years ago. It’s made up of six dots, and each dot represents one sound. That’s why the system varies in Mandarin, Fukien, and other languages. Most people begin with numbers because they are easier than Mandarin phonetic symbols. We all agree it is difficult to learn after listening to Mr. Chun-Hung’s lecture. Those who understand the Braille system are really marvelous. We also found Braille menu and Braille poker cards. The menu from the restaurant we visited earlier was designed by the association.