Devices that could help disabled people

Devices that could help disabled people

1. Braille Keyboard

   • Braille is a writing system for people who are blind. It is made up of raised dots that can be read by touch.​ It takes about 2-3 years to learn Braille and people can typically read up to 125-200 words per minute.​ Braille is not a language. It is a code by which all languages may be written and read.​ There are 180 different letter contractions and 75 short form words used in English contracted braille. These short cuts reduce the volume of paper needed for reproducing books in braille and make reading faster.​ Just as printed materials can be produced with paper, pencil, typewriter or printer, braille can also be written in several ways. Embossed Braille is usually produced using a Perkins Brailler. Unlike a typewriter which has more than 50 keys, the Perkins Brailler has only six keys and a space bar. ​ Louis Braille invented the Braille system and he himself was blind

2. Sip and Puff

   • Sip-and-puff or sip 'n' puff (SNP) is assistive technology used to send signals to a device using air pressure by "sipping" (inhaling) or "puffing" (exhaling) on a straw, tube or "wand." It is primarily used by people who do not have the use of their hands. Devices that use SNP technology require specific amounts of air pressure to be "sipped" or "puffed" by the user. These amounts of pressure are typically denoted as a hard sip/hard puff or soft sip/soft puff, however other terminologies might exist. Note that the words "hard" and "soft" are relative to the user and depend on their breathing abilities. With the assistance of an aid or technician, the user will program the SNP device to recognize their body's ability to produce hard sips/puffs and soft sips/puffs. Once this calibration process is complete, the SNP device will only recognize the user specific sips and puffs that have been saved into the SNP device.​

3. Foot Mouse

   • A foot mouse is a type of computer mouse that allows a user to control the mouse cursor with their feet. The idea behind this technology is to allow a user to keep their hands on their keyboard and still be able to use a mouse. A foot mouse can be used by people who have limited or no use of their hand and arms.​ It can be used the same way a normal mouse is: to select things and control the cursor in the computer. A foot mouse has two segments; one to control the cursor and one to click the mouse or select shortcuts.​ ​

4. Head Mouse

   • A head mouse replaces the standard computer mouse for people who cannot use or have limited use of their hands. It translates natural movements of a user's head into directly proportional mouse pointer movement – move your head and the mouse pointer follows along. It works just like a computer mouse, with the mouse pointer being controlled by head movement.​