Jessica+R

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In my video, the assistive technology used is called JAWS. JAWS is a program for Windows to aid blind or severely visually impaired individuals. This program allows blind/severely visually impaired individuals to use a computer and also access the Internet. According to Kathleen Beaver, JAWS software includes an "internal software speech synthesizer and a computer sound card." These two devices read aloud the materials on the screen. JAWS also provides a special keyboard, as seen in the video, that uses Braille. From the video, we see that this type of assistive technology can help blind/severely visually impaired get through high school, go to college, and even work at a computer related job. Nicholas, in particular, uses it to help him at his job. It gives him access to databases and allows him to email. JAWS gives individuals who need the assistance, to participate in normal everyday activities that one who can see might take advantage of.

Citation: Beaver, Kathleen. "JAWS". Center For Assistive Technology and University Of Buffalo. 10/28/09 .