Thunder Dog - Michael Hingson [82]
Screen Enlargement: Computer software controlled by the user to enlarge and increase contrast of letters on the computer screen.
Slate and Stylus: When Louis Braille began to create braille, he used an awl to punch bumps down into paper or other products. Over time, the awl’s shape was modified into a stylus tipped with metal and usually equipped with a pear-shaped handle for ease of grasping. The slate evolved as a way to bring consistency to the position and depth of dots. Today’s slates come in varying sizes—one short line of braille to one to cover an entire 6 by 4 note card. Two strips of metal are hinged at one side. The uppermost strip has rows of rectangular shapes stamped into it. Tiny scallops form the edges of these rectangles. The lower strip is covered with six dot rectangles pressed into the metal and pointing toward the table. The user places a sheet of paper over the lower strip and closes the upper strip and presses it into place. Small hooks catch the paper and keep it from skidding during brailling. Since braille is read from left to right and must be used with the dots raised, the process of using a slate and stylus requires that the user punch the braille dots into the paper from right to left, pressing the tip of the stylus down through the rectangular openings. The scallops along the edges of the stylus help the user align the tip with the dot beneath.
Speech Synthesis: This is a term referring to use of a computer software package, a sound card and speakers to create speech as a substitute for a computer monitor for blind people. In simplest terms, the software analyzes the data in the video buffer of the computer and turns what it sees into phonic components. Typically, the software has a dictionary of many words with their preferred pronunciation against which to compare the data. The user can control the portion of the screen to be reviewed, the amount of punctuation to be read, among many other features. When commanded to do so, the software sends the data to the sound card and the data is voiced. In addition, there are some independent hardware devices that connect to a computer and accomplish the same tasks.
Tactile Graphics: This term refers to those graphical representations that have been specially prepared for use by touch. Historically, such graphics were prepared with a wide range of tools and supplies—sewing tracing wheel, awls, string, and puffy paint, among many others. More recently with the advent of computer technology and sophisticated embossers, many graphics are being built through use of software and produced with embossers or specially constructed paper that reacts to heat.
Talking Books: In general terms, this phrase refers to any recorded edition of a published document (magazine, textbook, and novel). More specifically, in the world of visual impairments, it refers to the commercially prepared editions of documents offered to the blind community through various organizations, libraries, charities and educational institutions.
Transcription Software: Computer software that converts print documents into braille. The user does not need to understand braille to use the software but relies on the formatting rules built into the software to produce braille.
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