This program provides consultation and technical assistance to local districts/SSA's in addressing the technology needs for Visually Impaired students.
Areas of Service
- Assistance developing equipment/software programs, goals, and objectives
- On-site technical assistance
- Participation in assistive technology evaluations for students with visual impairments
- Teacher support in working with equipment and software
- VI Technology Olympics & Dallas Area Braille Challenge
- Staff development for VI teachers in the use of VI technology
- Preview of hardware and software for teacher, students, and parents in VI preview room
- Assistance with the provision of VI equipment and software
Region 10 Online VI AT Resource Library
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Speech
JAWS for Windows Training and Information Resources
Freedom Scientific
- Freedom Scientific Home Page
- Freedom Scientific Training Page
- Freedom Scientific Documentation (All Products)
- Freedom Scientific Upcoming Webinars
- Webinars on demand
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Home
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Videos
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Playlists
JAWS for Windows Training
- JAWS Home Page
- JAWS Training Home Page
- Getting Started with JAWS
- JAWS Additional Training Downloads
- JAWS FAQs
- Surf's Up Internet Navigation Practice
- JAWS Hot Keys
JAWS YouTube Video Playlists
- JAWS YouTube All Videos
- JAWS Quick Tips
- JAWS and Windows 10 Desktop
- JAWS and Microsoft Word
- JAWS and Microsoft Excel Playlist 1
- JAWS and Microsoft Excel Playlist 2
- JAWS and Microsoft PowerPoint
- JAWS and Microsoft Outlook
- JAWS and Microsoft Edge
- JAWS and Microsoft OneDrive
- JAWS and Microsoft Teams
- JAWS and Web Browsing
- JAWS and Google Docs
- JAWS and Google Calendar
- JAWS and Google Sheets
- JAWS and YouTube
- JAWS and FS Reader
- JAWS and Skype
- JAWS and Software Licensing
JAWS and Math
- Accessing Math Content with JAWS and Fusion
- JAWS and Desmos Graphing Calculator (Video)
- JAWS Math and Braille (Video)
ChromeVox
- Using ChromeVox on a Chromebook (Google Support)
- Using ChromeVox on a Chromebook: Fundamentals (YouTube)
- Using ChromeVox on a Chromebook: Intermediate (YouTube)
- Chrome and Chrome OS Accessibility (YouTube Playlist)
Magnification
ZoomText
- ZoomText Home Page
- ZoomText Training Home Page
- Getting Started with ZoomText
- ZoomText FAQs
- ZoomText Hot Keys
- ZoomText YouTube Video Playlist
Fusion Resources and Training
OCR
OpenBook OCR Software
Pearl
omniReader
SARA CE
Kurzweil OCR
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Bookshare.org
- Bookshare Homepage
- Bookshare Learning Center
- Take a tour of the Bookshare Learning Center (Video)
- Educators: Everything You Need to Know about Bookshare in 10 Minutes! (Video)
- Bookshare Training and Learning Library
Bookshare on YouTube- Bookshare YouTube Channel
- Bookshare YouTube Playlists
- Bookshare YouTube Videos (comprehensive)
- Bookshare Blog
Bookshare Apps for Reading- Bookshare Reading Tool Wizard
- Bookshare Reader
- Reading Apps for iOS
- Reading Apps for Android
- Reading on Ebook Devices
- Reading on a Windows PC
- Reading on a Mac
- Reading on a Chromebook
- Reading on a Braille Notetaker
- How to read with Amazon Echo (Alexa)
Learning Ally
- Learning Ally Homepage
- Learning Ally Help Page
- Learning Ally K-12 Solutions
- Learning Ally Getting Started
- How to use Teacher Ally
- Instructor Quick Start Guide
- Getting Started with Audio Book App
Learning Ally on YouTubeLibrary of Congress - Talking Book Program
- National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
- Texas Talking Book Program
- BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download
- Schools - Teacher's Guide to the Talking Book Program in the Classroom
- Parents and Students Resources for Reading Disabilities
Public Libraries
Public Domain Libraries
- Project Guttenberg
- Open Library
- Many Books
- Hathi Trust Digital Library
- Epubor - 15 Best Sites for Free Public Domain Books
- LibriVox - Free Public Domain Audiobooks
- Open Culture - Free Audiobooks
Daisy Book Readers (Hardware)
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Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP)
- DCMP Homepage
- DCMP Topics
- DCMP Help Center
- About DCMP's Learning and eLearning Center
- DCMP FAQ's
- DCMP Media Center
- DCMP Learning Center
- DCMP eLearning
- How to Set Up, Use, and Share Student Accounts
- Classroom, Remote and Hybrid Learning with DCMP Accessible Videos
- DCMP Clips and Lessons (Video)
- How to Locate DCMP Media
- How to Browse for DCMP Media
- How to Search for DCMP Media
- How to View DCMP Media
- DCMP Description Media
- DCMP Description Learning Center
- DCMP ASL Pop Up Player
- DCMP ASL Training Resources for Parents and Educators
- DCMP ASL Learning Center
- DCMP ASL Media
- DCMP Learning Center Deaf-Blind
- DCMP Deaf-Blind Media
- DCMP Accessibility Settings Media
- DCMP Accessibility Settings Learning Center
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APH
- APH Homepage
- APH Contact Page
- Shop APH Page
- APH Customer Service (Product Support) Page
- APH Product Manuals and Downloads (All Products)
- APH FAQ's
- APH YouTube Home
- APH YouTube Video Playlists
- VisionAware
APH Low Vision Products
Jupiter Portable Magnifier
- Jupiter Portable Magnifier Product Page
- Jupiter User Manual
- Jupiter YouTube Playlist (Videos and Webinars)
Matt Connect Video Magnifier
- Matt Connect Video Magnifier Product Page
- Matt Connect User Manual
- Matt Connect YouTube Playlist (Videos and Webinars)
Juno Hand Held Video Magnifier
- Juno Hand Held Video Magnifier Product Page
- Juno Quick Start Guide
- Juno User Manual
- Juno YouTube Playlist (Video and Webinars)
APH Braille Products
Page Blaster
- Page Blaster Product Page
- Page Blaster Quick Start Guide
- Page Blaster User Guide
- Page Blaster YouTube Playlist
Pix Blaster
- Pix Blaster Product Page
- Pix Blaster Quick Start Guide
- Pix Blaster User Guide
- Pix Blaster YouTube Playlist
Ordering APH Products Through APH Quota Funds
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Apple VoiceOver iOS/Mac OS Screenreader
VoiceOver on iPhone
- Apple Accessibility - Vision
- VoiceOver on iPhone - User Guide
- VoiceOver on iPhone - Use of Braille Display
- VoiceOver on iPhone - Gestures and Rotor
- YouTube - Apple Accessibility Vision Playlist (iPhone)
- YouTube - Apple Accessibility (iPhone)
- Accessibility Shortcut on iPhone
- AppleVis - Getting Started with VoiceOver on iPhone
- Hadley - Listen with VoiceOver Series
VoiceOver on Mac
- VoiceOver on Mac - Apple User Guide
- VoiceOver on Mac - Use of Braille Displays
- VoiceOver on Mac - Gestures
- VoiceOver on Mac - Commands Menu
Magnifier on iOS and Zoom on Mac
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- Not only organizes appointments and to-do lists, but has space for photos and location/weather tracking.
- Takes stress out of keeping up with expenses
- Among the best tools for teaching schedule organization to children
- A suite of self-management tools for users with cognitive challenges
- Helps users keep up with healthy-habits goals
- Helps users with pain-related disabilities create personalized fitness routines
- Tracks credit scores and provides information useful in setting financial goals
- Focuses on the spiritual aspects of self-care
- A fun interactive database for exploring relaxing activities, including ideas that easily transfer to the three-dimensional world
- Helps put a brake on unhealthy impulses
- Syncs with miniature trackers to reduce time spent hunting for misplaced items
- A customizable organization app with a project-folders feature
- Saves caregiver time and stress by keeping important information organized
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Freedom Scientific
- Freedom Scientific Home Page
- Freedom Scientific Training Page
- Freedom Scientific Documentation (All Products)
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Home
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Videos
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Playlists
Focus Blue 14/40/80 Braille Displays (5th Gen)
- Focus Blue Home Page
- Focus Blue Documentation
- Using Focus Blue Scratchpad
- JAWS Braille Input Commands for Focus Blue Displays
- Using the Focus Blue with iOS
- Using the Focus Blue with BrailleBack on Android
HumanWare
- HumanWare Home Page
- HumanWare Support Page
- HumanWare Live Tutorials/Webinars Blindness Series
- HumanWare Live Tutorials/Webinars Low Vision Series
Blindness Products Support Pages
- BrailleNote Touch Plus
- BrailleNote Touch Plus YouTube Snapshot Tutorials
- BrailleNote Touch Plus: Google Classroom (Webinar)
- BrailleNote Touch Plus KeyMath (Webinar)
- BrailleNote Touch Page
- Brailliant BI X Series Page
- Brailliant BI Series Page
- Mountbatten Brailler Support Page
- Mantis Q40 Support Page
Braille Embosser Support
Mountbatten Brailler - Tutor and Legacy
Mountbatten Brailler - Tutor
- Mountbatten Brailler Tutor Homepage
- Mountbatten Brailler Tutor Quick Start Guide
- Mountbatten Brailler Tutor User Manual
- Learning/Spelling Games on Mountbatten Tutor (YouTube Video)
- Launch of the Mountbatten Brailler Tutor (YouTube Video)
Mountbatten Brailler - Legacy
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Windows 10 and 11
- Windows Magnifier
To turn on Magnifier, press the Windows logo key + Plus sign (+). To turn off Magnifier, press the Windows logo key + Esc. - Windows Narrator (Screen Reader)
Press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter together to start Narrator. - Windows accessibility features
Mac OS
- Mac "Zoom" (magnifier)
To magnify press Option-Command-Equal Sign. - Mac VoiceOver (screenreader) User Guide
To turn on VoiceOver, press Command-F5. - Mac OS accessibility
Chrome OS (Chromebook) Accessibility
- Chrome OS Magnification and Zoom
To increase/decrease magnification Ctrl+Shift plus + or - - How To Use Screen Magnification on a Chromebook (YouTube video)
- Chromevox Screen Reader
You can turn ChromeVox on or off from any page by pressing Ctrl + Alt + z
On tablets: Press and hold the Volume down + Volume up buttons for 5 seconds. - Chromebook Accessibility
iOS/ iPadOS
- Magnifier on iPhone and iPad
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom, then turn on Zoom. - VoiceOver on iPhone - User Guide
Activate Siri and say, “Turn on VoiceOver” or “Turn off VoiceOver.” - VoiceOver on iPad - User Guide
Activate Siri and say, “Turn on VoiceOver” or “Turn off VoiceOver.” - Apple Accessibility - Vision
Android
- Magnification on Android Devices
Open your device's Settings app, Tap Accessibility > Magnification - TalkBack (Android) Screen Reader
To turn on Press and hold both volume keys for 3 seconds. Repeat to confirm. - Android Accessibility Menu
- Windows Magnifier
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Sources and Information
- Adaptations.org Canes (SF Lighthouse)
- Adaptations.org Cane Tips (SF Lighthouse)
- The Carroll Center Canes and Tips
- TSBVI Outreach O&M Page
- TSBVI O&M Support for Families (LiveBinder)
- Albinism Up Close "Choosing a White Cane Style and Material"
- Albinism Up Close "Choosing a Tip for Your Mobility Cane"
- Albinism Up Close "White Cane History and Laws"
Educational Resources
Objective Ed
- Objective Ed Homepage
- Objective Ed Onboarding
- Objective Ed Intro Videos
- Objective Ed Intro Videos (Described)
- Objective Ed Training
- Objective Ed User Guides
- Help for BVI Curriculum
- Objective Ed Buddy Books
Sources for O&M Mobility Canes and Cane Tips
Catalogs, Distributors and Manufacturers
MaxiAids
LS&S
Independent Living Aids
Ambutech
- Ambutech Homepage
- Ambutech Mobility Canes
- Ambutech Mobility Cane Tips
- Ambutech FAQ's
- Ambutech Distributors (Foreign and Domestic)
NFB
O&M Electronic Aids, GPS, Apps, Visual Interpreting
The Sunu Band
- The Sunu Band Homepage
- The Sunu Band Tutorials
- The Sunu Band Faq's
- The Sunu Band for O&M (TSBVI LiveBinders)
Wear Band by Wear Works
HumanWare Digital Orientation and Mobility Assistants
- Victor Reader Trek (GPS and Media Player)
- Victor Reader Trek (Support Page)
- StellarTrek (GPS and Navigation Assistant)
- StellarTrek (Support Page)
GPS & Wayfinding
Accessible GPS and Wayfinding Apps/Devices Comparison
Navigation and GPS Apps
- Apple Maps (Built in iOS App)
- Ariadne GPS Homepage
- Ariadne GPS iOS Apps Store
- BlindSquare Homepage
- BlindSquare iOS App Store
- Google Maps (iOS Version)
- Google Maps (Android Version)
- GoodMaps Homepage
- GoodMaps Explore iOS App Store
- GoodMaps Outdoors iOS App Store
- Lazarillo Homepage
- Lazarillo iOS App Store
- Lazarillo Android Play Store
- Microsoft Soundscape
- Microsoft Soundscape Video
- Microsoft Soundscape iOS App Store
- Moovit (Public Transportation)
- Moovit iOS App Store
- WeWalk Smart Map Homepage
- WeWalk Smart Map iOS App Store
- WeWalk Handle Cane Accessory
Visual Interpreting
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Perkins Brailler Resources
Purchase
Repair
World Wide
Repair in Texas
Harris Enterprises
Wayne Harris
1112 Harrison Ln Hurst, TX 76053
Phone: 817-268-6803
Email: wb5tcd@hotmail.comPerkins Certified: No
Products Serviced:
Perkins Braillers Repair Range: Level 2—Minor Repairs: Perform basic repairs, such as stylus replacement, timing chain, and main spring; can diagnose problems associated with the brailler and can repair minor problems which do not require disassembly of the endplates.
Texas School For The Blind And Visually Impaired
Sue Fowler
5328 Balcones Drive, Apartment B
Austin, TX 78731
Phone: 512-585-5825Perkins Certified: No
Products Serviced: Perkins Braillers Repair Range: Level 2—Minor Repairs: Perform basic repairs, such as stylus replacement, timing chain, and main spring; can diagnose problems associated with the brailler and can repair minor problems which do not require disassembly of the endplates.
Doctor Luke Repairs
Luke Kindelin
200 Belle Star Ct.
Austin, TX 78753
Phone 630-345-0443
Email: DoctorLukeRepairs@gmail.comPerkins Certified: No
Products Serviced: Perkins Braillers & SMART Braillers
Repair Range: Level 3—Major Repairs: Perform complex repairs, such as complete disassembly and replacement of major subassemblies, including: drum, carriage, feed roller and chain drive; can diagnose all problems associated with the brailler and can perform major and minor repairs on non-warranty braillers. -
Freedom Scientific
- Freedom Scientific Home Page
- Freedom Scientific Training Center
- Freedom Scientific Documentation (All Products)
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Home
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Videos
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Playlists
Topaz Family
HumanWare
- HumanWare Home Page
- HumanWare Support Page
- HumanWare Live Tutorials/Webinars Blindness Series
- HumanWare Live Tutorials/Webinars Low Vision Series
Reveal Family
Optelec
- Optelec Home Page
- Optelec Products Page
- Optelec Support Page
- Optelec User Manuals and Download Page
- Optelec YouTube Videos Page (English)
- Optelec Desktop Video Magnifiers (Clearview, Clearview+, Traveller)
Enhanced Vision
- Enhanced Vision Home Page
- Enhanced Vision Product Page
- Enhanced Vision Support Page
- User Manual Download Page
- Enhanced Vision YouTube Home
- Enhanced Vision YouTube Videos
- Enhanced Vision YouTube Playlists
- Enhanced Vision Desktop Video Magnifiers (Merlin)
Low Vision International (LVI) America
LVI Video Magnifiers and Reading Machine Support
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Freedom Scientific
- Freedom Scientific Home Page
- Freedom Scientific Training Center
- Freedom Scientific Documentation (All Products)
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Home
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Videos
- Freedom Scientific Training YouTube Playlists
Ruby Family
HumanWare
Prodigi and Matt Connect, explore
Optelec Portable Video Magnifiers
- Optelec Home Page
- Optelec Products Page
- Optelec Support Page
- Optelec User Manuals and Download Page
- Optelec YouTube Videos Page (English)
- Optelec Portable Video Magnifiers (Compact, Traveller)
Enhanced Vision Portable Video Magnifiers
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Orcam
Orcam My Eye
- My Eye Product Page
- My Eye User Support
- My Eye Online Video Tutorials
- My Eye User Manual and Audio Guide
- My Eye Support FAQ’s
Orcam Read
- Orcam Read Product Page
- Orcam Read Support Page
- Orcam Read Online Video Tutorials
- Orcam Read User Manual
Acesight and Acesight S
- Acesight and Acesigt S Home
- Acesight and Acesight S FAQ’s
- Acesight and Acesight Videos
- Acesight and Acesight S User Manuals
Zoomax - Portable
Vision Buddy
Patriot Vision Industries
Iris Vision -
AT assessment tools for Blind and Visually Impaired
- The University of Kentucky Assistive Technology Toolkit/Program
Comprehensive general AT assessment, and implementation tools.
- Assistive Technology For Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired: A Guide to Assessment Illustrated Edition
Assistive Technology For Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired: A Guide to Assessment Illustrated Edition by Ike Presley (Author), Frances Mary D'Andrea (Author). Out of Print, available from Amazon via link. Specific for BVI, good for school age children, written before iPad release.
- i-HAAT
Interdependent Human Activity Assistive Technology (i-HAAT) A contemporary conceptual approach to assistive technology outcomes research. A theoretical approach to AT assessment.
- The SETT Framework
General AT decision tool but not an assessment. It encourages increased consideration in determining what to assess. Although it was developed for school aged students (3-21), it can be adapted to ECI and adults as it requires the identification of customary environments which are individualized. It is a tool to guide the questions to ask in the decision-making process when consideration of AT.
- QIAT - Quality Indicators For Assistive Technology
The QIAT Community is a nationwide grassroots group, that includes hundreds of individuals who provide input into the ongoing process of identifying, disseminating, and implementing a set of widely applicable Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services, in school settings that can be used as a tool to support.
- Basic Computer Skills Checklist
Basic assessment checklist designed to cover the main areas of VI AT assessment.
- Technology Interview
This form is designed to collect information from the student, parent, and multi-disciplinary team about how the student currently utilizes technology to support the VI assistive technology evaluation.
- The University of Kentucky Assistive Technology Toolkit/Program
Program Coordinator
Instructional & Assistive Technology Specialist
Consultant
Administrative Assistant