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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 952

                           Thursday, June 24, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                 Invisible Computers for Blind Clients Model


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Subject: Invisible Computers for Blind Clients Model
From: mthompso@nmsu.edu (Mike Thompson)


                   INVISIBLE COMPUTERS FOR BLIND CLIENTS

        A Distributed Campus-Wide Model for Adapting Computer Equipment
                         for Clients who are Blind



Abstract:

        New Mexico State University has developed and implemented the
"Invisible" model for adapting ALL computers on campus for use by blind
clients.  This cost effective solution has been achieved through software
site licensing and a cooperative agreement with the New Mexico Commission
for the Blind.  In essence, NMSU provides the base services of Text to
Speech software, Character-Screen Enlargement software, Braille
Translation software, and Braille printer.  The New Mexico Commission for
the Blind provides blind clients with portable speech synthesizers.  The
end result is that blind clients receive the same computing services as
everyone else.

        This model is presented as a practical, cost effective solution to
computer access for blind clients.  No part of this model is being
presented for sale.  It is intended to help educational and other
institutions in their efforts to make computing services accessible.

For more Information contact:

                          mthompso@nmsu.edu

                          Mike Thompson  (505) 646-4183
                          New Mexico State University
                          Computer Center - Room 133
                          Corner Stewart & Sweet
                          Las Cruces, New Mexico  88003



Introduction


        If something is invisible, it is said to be incapable by nature of
being seen.  To perceive something is to become aware of it through the
senses. It is not always necessary to see something in order to perceive
it.  We don't see the air, but we definitely perceive it.  We would, no
doubt, perceive its absence.  If we do in fact, "see" the air then our
problems are beyond the scope of this adaptive model.

        Some would argue that all things are invisible to blind people.
The truth is that blind people simply use alternative techniques in order
to perceive things.  That is not to say that blind people have some
automatic increase in the other senses simply because of a lack of ability
to see.  It is possible, however, to develop the skills to use the other
senses to perceive things around us. It is also possible to take advantage
of tools to aid in this perception.  We do it all the time.  People who
wear glasses are using a tool to increase their ability to see what they
would have had problems with otherwise.  Blind people use a white cane as
a tool for mobility to help detect objects and to find their way.

        As our technology advances, more sophisticated tools become
available not just to blind people, but to everyone.  As computers play a
more significant role in education today, and as more blind people are
participating in public and private education, so the demand for computers
which are accessible to blind people also increases.  Since it is not
possible for blind people to read a computer screen, it becomes necessary
to adapt the computer in such a way as to provide an alternative means of
interacting with the computer.  This is commonly achieved by adding
adaptive software and hardware to a computer system.  These adaptations
include text to speech translation software, a speech synthesizer, screen
- character enlargement software, Braille translation software, and a
Braille Printer.


Purpose

        The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which was signed into
law in July of 1990 makes it illegal to discriminate against a person
based on disability.  Universities are making a number of changes campus
wide, in order to make programs, services, and facilities accessible to
persons with disabilities.  The "Invisible Computers for Blind Clients"
model presents a practical, cost effective means of making computing
accessible to blind clients.  The unique feature of this model is that it
integrates blind clients into standard programs by making the existing
computing equipment and software accessible.  It does not segregate blind
clients by providing specialized devices for use by the blind.
Segregation is a form of discrimination.  By implementing this model,
blind students, faculty, or staff members will be able to use the same
computer software and hardware as everyone else.


The Invisible Model

        The "Invisible" model is designed to make computer equipment
accessible to blind clients.  This adaptive model is targeted at clients
whose primary disability is blindness.  It does not consider multiple
disabilities such as deaf/blind etc.


Features

 Provides  Interactive Speech Output via Text to Speech Translation
 Provides Character - Screen Enlargement
 Site License for all Software
 Takes Advantage of Existing Computer Equipment
 Integrates Blind Clients into Standard Curriculum
 Maximizes the Number of Adapted Seats Available
 Minimizes the Amount of Software and Hardware Needed for Adaptations
 Cost Effective
 Allows Clients to Use Their Own Speech Hardware if Desired
 Vendor Independent
 Provides simple tools to convert electronic documents into Large Print and
 Braille



Components

        The invisible model is composed of three component categories.
These categories include speech output, screen/character enlargement, and
Braille output.



            1. Speech Output

                    Text to Speech Translation Software
                    Speech Synthesizers


            2. Screen - Character Enlargement

                     Screen -  Character Enlargement Software


            3. Braille Output

                     Braille  / Large Print Translation Software
                     Braille Printer



1. Speech Output

        Speech output is made available by means of text to speech
translation software and portable speech synthesizers.  The speech
translation software is installed on each PC server on the network.  In
addition, a software site license allows installation on any University PC
system. The speech translation software is configured on the PC network
servers so that it can be invoked by means of a "hot key" sequence.  The
adaptive software can be invoked by the client before he /she is required
to perform any preliminary log-in procedures etc.  The software is
configured so that each client is able to load and save personal
configuration preferences.  The software is automatically removed from
memory when the client terminates his/her network session.  Portable
speech synthesizers are provided to blind clients by the New Mexico
Commission for the Blind.  In addition, the Computer Center will maintain
at least one portable speech synthesizer for use as a backup.  Each client
is responsible for connecting his/her speech synthesizer to the desired
computer system.

Portable Speech Synthesizer Features:

        Portable
        Understandable speech
        Volume control
        Headphones
        Adjustable Speed via Software Control
        Battery and ac powered
        Standard interface
        Compatible with Standard PC Systems
        Compatible with Selected Text to Speech Translation Software

Text to Speech Translation Software Features:

Licensing:

        Site License (Stand-alone & Network)
        No Software Protection

Hardware Compatibility:

        Compatible with standard PC and PS-2 CPUs
        Compatible with standard PC and PS-2 Video Systems (mono, CGA,EGA,
        VGA, SVGA ...)

        Network Compatible 3+Open Lan Manager & Novell ver. 3.xx
        Standard Parallel Interface
        Standard Serial Interface
        Works with Standard  third party External Speech Synthesizers
        Works with Standard  third party Internal Speech Synthesizers


Software Compatibility:

        Vt100 emulation
        (PC) dBase III
        (PC) Foxbase
        (PC) FoxPro
        (PC) Lotus Freelance Plus
        (PC) Lotus 123
        (PC) MathCad
        (PC) NCSA FTP
        (PC) NCSA Telnet
        (PC) PC-write
        (PC) SAS
        (PC) Turbo C++
        (PC) Turbo Pascal
        (PC) Watfor 77
        (PC) WordPerfect
        (PC) Wordstar
        (UNIX) elm
        (UNIX) emacs
        (UNIX) Matlab
        (UNIX) pine
        (UNIX) postmaster
        (UNIX) rn (news)
        (UNIX) tin
        (UNIX) TN3270
        (UNIX) vi
        (UNIX) WordPerfect
        (VAX) EDT
        (VAX) Gemacs
        (VAX) INFO
        (VAX) PlotData
        (VAX) RS/1
        (VAX) TECHNET
        (VAX) WordPerfect
        (VM) MAIL
        (VM) SAS
        (VM) VMDIRECT
        (VM) XEDIT


Documentation:

        Available and included in Braille
        Available and included in electronic format
        Available and included in large print
        Available and included on cassette
        Charts & diagrams
        Examples
        Generally useful and well organized
        On-Line Context sensitive help
        On-line Help
        On-Line Tutorial
        Quick reference
        Step by step user instructions
        Technical Information (interface protocal ...)
        Up to date with current software version



Product Features:

        Ability to customize character pronunciation
        Ability to interrupt / silence the speech and clear buffer
        Ability to recognize and track screen colors
        Ability to save and recall personal configuration settings independent
        of defaults from within the speech application

        Ability to suspend speech and continue
        Ability to track moving-bar menus
        Ability to track pseudo cursor (Lotus)
        All standard characters spoken (ext. char set)
        Autoload application configuration with application
        Hands stay on main keyboard
        Independent configuration  of speech functions for keyboard and screen

        Keyboard re-mapping
        Keyboard input voices character or word
        Keys belong to application by default
        Loads in extended or expanded memory
        Locate info on the screen
        Menu driven configuration settings
        Multiple copies of software are able to run simultaneously on the
        network, each with individual configurations

        Numbers spoken as digits or full numbers
        Organized menu structure
        Quick positioning in review
        Requires little memory
        Review Character
        Review Cursor Position
        Review cursor to bottom of screen
        Review Line
        Review Paragraph
        Review Screen
        Review sentence
        Review Word
        Review  beginning of line to cursor
        Review  cursor to end of line
        Review  top of screen to cursor
        Route application cursor to speech cursor
        Route speech cursor to applications cursor
        Screen area masking
        Screen area tracking
        Simple adaptability and configuration for new applications software

        Software control of rate, pitch, tone and volume
        Speech control keys do not interfere with application control keys.

        Spell words
        Spell words phonetically
        Spoken Status (config settings & toggles)
        Treatment of exception handling for mispronounced words
        Treatment of graphics
        Treatment of Punctuation
        Treatment of repeating characters
        Treatment of video attributes
        Treatment of  abbreviations
        Treatment of  Capitalization
        Treatment of  punctuation
        Treatment  of columns
        Treatment  of windows
        Visible and Spoken menus
        Works in real-time with application without going into screen review

Misc.:

        Easy to configure
        Easy to install
        Easy to learn
        Easy to support locally
        Easy to update and maintains upward compatibility
        Easy to use
        Low Initial Cost
        Remove product from memory without re-booting
        Software reliability - (software does not hang the application or
        system?)

        Reasonable Update Costs
        User config for  standard third party external synthesizer



2. Screen - Character Enlargement

        Screen - character enlargement is made available by means of
screen - character enlargement software.  The screen - character
enlargement software is installed on each PC server on the network.  In
addition, a software site license allows installation on any University PC
system.  The screen - character enlargement software is configured on the
PC network servers so that it can be invoked by means of a "hot key"
sequence.  The adaptive software is able to be invoked by the client
before he /she is required to perform any preliminary log-in procedures
etc.  The software is configured so that each client is able to load and
save personal configuration preferences.  The software is automatically
removed from memory when the client terminates his/her network session.

Screen - character enlargement software Features:

        Magnifies both text and graphics characters
        Magnifies to at least 8X
        Controls Screen Foreground and Background Colors Independent of
        Applications
        Software
        Displays in Inverse Video
        Adjusts Space Between Characters
        Adjusts Space Between Lines
        Displays Sharp Clear Characters
        Tracks Cursor
        Reviews any Portion of the Screen
        Provides Magnification Context


3. Braille Output

        Braille output is made available by means of Braille translation
software and a Braille printer.  The Braille translation software is
installed on each PC server on the network.  In addition, a software site
license allows installation on any University PC system.  The Braille
Printer is located in the Computer Center Operations area, and output
distributed in a single "Braille output" box.  This Braille printer is
maintained by Computer Center Operations in the same manner as other
distributed printers.

Braille Translation software Features:

        Grade 1, Grade 2 or Computer braille
        Standard Word Processor file translation
        Tables, Charts, Columns
        Reprint page or page series
        Multiple copies
        Print & Braille page numbering Headers &Footers
        Termination Lines
        Dividing Lines for  - print page - letters


Braille Printer Features:

        Able to emboss braille characters on both  9S X 11 and  12S X 11
        paper.
        Interpoint to conserve paper
        Produces sharp readable aligned characters
        Speed 50 CPS or above
        Able to emboss 8 dot computer braille



Implementation


1. Speech Output

 Purchase portable speech synthesizer for configuration, demonstration, and
 backup.

 Purchase text to speech translation software, site license, and software
 maintenance

 Install text to speech translation software on network PC servers

 Configure text to speech translation software for use with all network
 software

 Implement a means of invoking network text to speech translation software via
 "hot key" sequence

 Implement a means of removing text to speech translation software when
 network session is terminated

 Make site license text to speech translation software available to all
 departments on campus (Advertise)



2. Screen - Character Enlargement

 Purchase screen - character enlargement software, site license, and software
 maintenance

 Install screen - character enlargement software on network PC servers

 Configure screen - character enlargement software for use with all network
 software

 Implement a means of invoking network screen - character
 enlargement software via "hot key" sequence

 Implement a means of removing screen - character enlargement software when
 network session is terminated

 Make site license screen - character enlargement software available to all
 departments on campus (Advertise)



3. Braille Output

 Purchase Braille Printer and Maintenance Agreement

 Install Printer in Computer Center Machine Room

 Configure Braille Printer as a Network Printer

 Designate a Braille Output Distribution Box

 Install Braille translation software on network PC servers

 Configure Braille translation software for use with all network software

 Implement a means of invoking network Braille translation software via
 network menu

 Make site license Braille translation software available to all departments
 on campus (Advertise)


Application


1. Speech Output

        A client who requires speech output should obtain a portable
speech synthesizer from the New Mexico Commission for the Blind.  Not only
should the client be allowed to connect the synthesizer to any PC system
which he/she is required to use, but should also be allowed to connect to
any other PC system available for general use.  The client should be able
to invoke the speech software on any of these systems without obstruction
of log-in screens, captive menu, or other software.  Each client should be
able to load and save personal configuration preferences.


2. Screen - Character Enlargement

        A client who requires screen - character enlargement should be
allowed to run screen - character enlargement software on any NMSU PC
system, both required for use, or available for general use.  The client
should be able to invoke the speech software on any of these systems
without obstruction of log-in screens, captive menu, or other software.
Each client should be able to load and save personal configuration
preferences.


3. Braille Output

        A client who requires Braille output should be able to translate
text files into Grade 1, Grade 2, or Computer Braille by running braille
translation software on any NMSU PC system , both required for use, or
available for general use. A central Braille printer should be available
as a network printer.  The translated file should be printed from any PC
on the network.  This service should be available not only to blind
clients, but also to NMSU clients who need to produce Braille output.  For
example, an instructor may need to produce class handouts, tests, etc. in
Braille for a blind student.  The Computer Center may need to produce user
documents and handouts in Braille.


Support

Maintenance

        All hardware and software purchased by the NMSU Computer Center
should be maintained as a supported service.  Maintenance agreements with
vendors should be kept current.  Software upgrades should be applied as
needed.


Training/Assistance

        Training and user assistance for these adaptive products should be
available to blind clients in exactly the same manner as other supported
services provided by the NMSU Computer Center.


Documentation

        Vendor documentation and Computer Center handouts for these
adaptive products should be made available in large print and in Braille
or recorded format to end users.



Conclusion


        The "Invisible" model uses a distributed approach to provide
computer access to blind clients.  It solves both the technical problem of
access, and the social problem of integration.  It takes advantage of
existing computer equipment.  It maximizes the number of adapted devices
available, and minimizes the amount of adaptive hardware and software
needed, making it a cost effective solution.  It does not place the blind
client in an awkward or obtrusive position, rather, it allows him/her to
work side-by-side with everyone else.  In fact, to the casual observer,
the computer labs look exactly the same before they are adapted as they do
after they are adapted.  Thus, leaving the adaptations "Invisible".


Appendix A



Definition of Blindness

        Blindness is defined through federal guidelines, outlined in the
Randolf Shepard act and other state and federal laws.  A person is legally
considered blind when he/she has no more than a 20 degree field vision,
20/200 visual acuity, and/or 20/70 field vision along with a progressive
eye condition.  In addition to this criteria, the state of New Mexico
Commission for the Blind also recognizes "functional blindness" defined as
follows:



PRESENCE OF A VISUAL DISABILITY WHICH, FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, CONSTITUTES OR
RESULTS IN A SUBSTANTIAL HANDICAP TO EMPLOYMENT.

Visual Disability:

  A visual disability exists when the functional ability of an individual
is limited as a result of:

   1. Legal blindness.
   2. Visual impairment functionally equivalent to legal blindness.
   3. Progressive condition which if untreated, is expected to result
      in legal or functional blindness provided that the
      individual's visual acuity is 20/70 or less in the better eye with best
      correction.

Legal Blindness is:

     1. A visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best
        correction or:
     2. A visual field no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye.

Substantial Handicap to Employment:

     A substantial handicap to employment exists when a visual disability
     significantly:

     1. Interferes with the opportunity for suitable employment,
     2. Interferes with preparation for suitable employment,
     3. Causes loss of employment,
     4. Causes the individual to require special assistance in securing
        suitable employment or in performing his or her job, or
     5. Requires the individual to use alternative techniques in
        a substantial number of life's activities, in order to function
        competently.


Cost Estimates:


Qty. Component                  Vendor          Cost            Ext.
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------

1   Vocal-Eyes
    10 user Site License        GW Micro        $1,350.00        $1,350.00
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------

1   Accent SA Speech
    Synthesizer                 Henter/Joyce      $906.00          $906.00
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------

1   LP DOS 10 user
    Site License                GW Micro        $2,000.00        $2,000.00
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------

1   Juliet Braille Printer      Enabling
                                Technologies    $3,995.00        $3,995.00
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------

1   Mega Dots
    10 User Site License        Raised Dot
                                Computing       $3,000.00        $3,000.00
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------

10  Part # 01/0-0022
    11X11 1/2 19 hole
    fanfold final edit
    pre-punched                 American
                                Thermaform         $28.95          $289.50
--  -------------------------   -------------   ----------      ----------


TOTALS                                          $11,279.95      $11,540.50




Vendor Reference:

G.W.  Micro
Doug Geoffrey
(219) 483-3625
Vocal-Eyes Screen Reading Software (Text to Speech Translation)
LP-DOS Screen-Character enlargement Software


Henter-Joyce
Ted Henter
(800)336-5658
Accent SA Speech Synthesizers


Raised Dot Computing
(608) 257-9595
Mega-Dots Braille Translation Software


Enabling Technologies
Portia Huntley
(800)756-3687
Juliet Braille Printer


American Thermaform
Computer Braille Paper
Part # 01/0-0022 11X11 1/2 19 hole fanfold final edit pre-punched paper
(213)723-9021


National Federation of the Blind
National Technology Center
Free Consultation on Adaptive Equipment
David Andrews
(410)659-9314


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mike Thompson  (505) 646-4183
New Mexico State University
Computer Center - Room 133
Corner Stewart & Sweet
Las Cruces, New Mexico  88003





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                 End of Issue # 952 of the Blind News Digest

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