Classroom for Blind Teachers
Welcome to our virtual classroom designed to show how to accommodate teachers who have very little or no useable vision. Although not every worker who is blind will need or want every accommodation pictured, we are trying to show you the range of tools available that might benefit such educators.
In addition, learn what successfully employed blind users of assistive technology have to say In Their Own Words about the devices they use on the job.
Technology That Might Be Used in a Classroom for Blind Teachers
- Dymo Labeler
- The Dymo labeler is a hand-held braille label maker. It is an inexpensive tool that makes it easy to label and organize files, materials, and just about anything else in an office. The upper rim of the dial is in braille, the lower rim identifies in standard print the braille symbols above so that someone who doesn’t know braille can use the labeler. Some braille contractions and punctuation are included.
- External Speakers and Headphones
Accessibility will usually involve listening to information using some sort of speech access product on a computer. External speakers and headphones are important tools to consider in any office. The headphones allow for private listening without bothering coworkers who share the work space. There are no specialized products for the visually impaired in this category and personal preference will dictate what is used.
- Perkins Brailler
- Refreshable Braille Display
- Scanner/Optical Character Recognition
- Screen Reader
- Slate & Stylus
- Tactile Globe
- Talking Clock
In Their Own Words…
Learn what successfully employed blind users of assistive technology have to say about the devices they use on the job.
“Currently, I use a Perkins Brailler to prepare documents and lessons, and I also use a braille slate and stylus for my own note taking. A personal computer with the JAWS screen reader and a Basic D embosser with the Duxbury braille translation program streamlines my preparation for classes. It took a bit of an effort to learn how to use this technology, but it was worth it.”
Sylvie Kashdan, Teacher of English as a Second Language