Technology For The Disabled

There are many new technological advances that have proven to be invaluable to disabled peopled who use computers. Two of my favorite examples are the refreshable braille display, and the track ball.

The refreshable braille display is an electro-mechanic device that cycles a series of physical braille characters that can be read underneth the finger tips of a blind person who can understand braille. In displaying text, the refreshable braille display is very a accurate device. It can also be used to operate a computer without ever using a monitor. The refreshable braille display ranges from a "44 cell" display, that costs $5,495, or a "84 cell" display, that costs $12,457.

The track ball is a pointing device used with a computer, and requires a minimal amount of movement to operate. The track ball is widely used by people who are disabled, or who have been paralyzed in some way and only have a limited amount of movement in their fingers. The track ball works like a mouse that is turned upside, where a ball spins in a socket. A track ball can cost anywhere from $82 to $142.