I have an old LG flip phone that I have been using for many years now. It's not a touch-screen cellular phone, nor does it even come close to the computing capabilities of many of the modern smartphones on the market today.
You might ask me, "What are you doing with that old phone, James? Get with the program, blind man!"
But, that's exactly why I still have the old phone. Because it has something that the newer smartphones don't! My phone has buttons! It's very important for me to be able to know what I'm doing and who I am calling. The buttons provide me with a touch feedback, and of course, there's that dot on the 5 key which is there specifically for people who have poor vision and eyesight like I do.
You guess what! I can now stop holding my breath! I can breathe now, because thanks to technological advancements, I can now use just about any cellphone on the market today!
Assistive Technology, sometimes called adaptive technology, is a combination of software programs and hardware adaptations specifically engineered to accommodate people who are unable to use electronic devices in the traditional ways. Many modern consumer electronics now have incorporated this type of technology into their design.
One example of assistive technology in action is computers that make the screen contents very large to allow people with low vision to read the contents.
Another example of assistive technology at work is the 'Talk Back' feature incorporated in nearly every new smart-phone on the market today. This feature, sometimes labeled as Accessibility', will actually read the contents on the phone for the person who cannot see it or read it too well.
This talk back feature is not only useful for visually impaired people, but it also serves people who simply cannot read too well. People with Autism and Dyslexia, and a host of other mental delayed conditions can get a great use out of this adaptive technology.
The future of cellular phones is starting to look good for just about anybody, now a days! Because, even if you have a physical disability which hinders you from using your fingers or hands, you just talk to your device, and it will respond to your voice commands. With the built in Personal Assistant software, speaking to your phone is almost like speaking to another person!
Cell phones can do so much these days! Really, they are powerful little computers that can play music, allow you to watch videos, allow you to take pictures, and create movies, and you can play video games on them, and you can even read digital books on them! You can even do some word processing and create a document or write a letter on them! Really, what else can't you do with these super handheld computers!
Some people use their cell phones as flash-lights! As GPS systems! As personal foot-step trackers! It just seems like the possibilities are only limited to the imagination!
The best part is, that blind and visually impaired people can now also get in on the action! Because, with Assistive Technology, the device is just as good as gold!
Thank you for reading!
Warmly;
James J. Elleyby
Motivational Life Coach
"Bringing Positive Light And Empowering Perspective To Your Life!"
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