III. Read and translate the following text.

Devices for the disabled

Windows operating system is a great revolution for computer users. Its graphical interface with menus, buttons and icons simplifies memorizing commands and reading large parts of texts on the screen. But Windows has some drawbacks that make it difficult for a blind person to use a computer.

Since 1995 the scientists have been working at haptic interfaces (called the PHANToM) for the disabled users at Certec, Center for Rehabilitation Engineering Research. With the PHANToM, the user puts one finger in a thimble connected to a metal arm. By moving his finger around, the user can feel virtual three-dimensional objects that are programmed into the computer. The PHANToM adds a new feature to human-computer interaction, namely haptic interaction. This interaction uses both the sense of touch on a small scale and movements on a slightly larger scale.

The PHANToM is becoming increasingly interesting for both researchers and developers. They consider that there is one more alternative access method: computer interfaces (haptic interfaces) that use movements and the sense of touch as a complement to graphics. Nowadays, it is used as a simulation platform for complex surgery tasks, virtual reality research and for enhancing 3D CAD systems.

Computers provide a lot of opportunities for the disabled. Today it is easy for a blind person to access written text which can be read either with a one row Braille-display or a speech synthesizer.

A telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD)is an electronic device for text communication via a telephone line. This device is used when one or more of the parties have hearing or speech difficulties. Other names for TDD include TTY (telephone typewriter or teletypewriter), textphone (Common in Europe) and minicom (UK).The typical TDD is as large as an ordinary laptop computer with a QWERTY keyboard; it has a small screen that uses organic light-emitting diodes or an LCD screen to display a text. In addition, TDDs commonly have a small spool of paper on which the text is printed. There are Telecommunications Relay Services that can help a deaf person communicate with a hearing one by means of an ordinary voice phone (using a human relay operator). Also, there is a number of additional equipment that can be coupled to telephones to improve their utility.

Sticky keys technology is the feature of computer Desktop Environment and a special feature to aid handicapped users. This technology allows the user to press a modifier key, such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt or the Windows keys, and makes it remain active until another key is pressed.

Many people with physical or cognitive impairment use one or more switches to access computers. A switch is an assistive technology device that restricts the need to use a keyboard or a mouse.

A reading machineis a piece of Assistive Technology that allows blind people to access printed documents. It scans the text, converts the image into text by means of optical character recognition system and uses a speech synthesizer to verbalize the text. Newer models are portable and can be fitted into different mobile devices, e.g., large pens.

Ascreen magnifieris software that serves for representing enlarged screen content. It is a type of assistive technology suitable for visually-impaired people with some functional vision.

A screen readeris software that attempts to identify and interpret the information displayed on the screen. This system operates in text-to-speech mode or with a Braille display and it is indispensible for people with little or no functional vision.

Tobii C12 is a communication device that allows the disabled to communicate more efficiently. It is used for interpreting text messages into speech. Tobii C12 can be controlled not only by a switch, mouse or a keyboard but also by eye movement making it especially useful for those who cannot use ordinary input devices. The most innovative features of this system are 12-inch touch screen display with infrared remote control and connection to the Internet.

Wakamaru is a Japanese domestic robot made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, primarily intended to provide companionship to elderly and disabled people. Wakamaru runs on the Linux operating system, can be connected to the Internet and has limited speech recognition features. Both male and female voices are available. Its functions include reminding the user to take medicine on time and calling for help if it suspects something is wrong.

Some programs provide audio output (i.e., speech) and they can be used by blind people or users with limited vision. These programs are termed self-voicingand can be a form of assistive technology if they are designed to eliminate the need to use a screen reader.

IV. Answer the following questions:

1. Why is Windows important for motor-impaired users?

2. Where was the PHANToM interface developed?

3. Who is the PHANToM used by?

4. What do you know about «sticky keys»?

5. What devices do the visually-impaired people use?

6. What modern features does Tobii C12 have?

7. Who can use Wakamaru?

8. What does the term «self-voicing program» mean?

Дата добавления: 2015-10-31