• **Students with visual impairments**

    Students with visual impairments is essential for an inclusive and effective learning environment. Here are some strategies and tools that can help visually impaired students see the board or projector screen more clearly:

    1. Use High-Contrast Colors

    Ensure that text and images on the board or projector screen are displayed in high-contrast colors. For example, use white or light-colored text on a black background or black text on a white background. This makes it easier for students with low vision to read.

    2. Enlarge Text and Images

    Use larger fonts and images on the board or projector. This can be easily done with digital projectors by adjusting the font size in presentations or documents.

    3. Digital Magnification Tools

    Provide students with digital magnification tools or apps on tablets and smartphones that can magnify text and images from a distance. Apps like "Magnifier" on iOS or "Magnifying Glass" on Android can be helpful.

    4. Interactive Whiteboards

    Use interactive whiteboards that allow for digital zooming and resizing of content. Teachers can zoom in on specific parts of the lesson to make it more visible for students with low vision.

    5. Assistive Technology

    Provide assistive technology such as electronic magnifiers (CCTVs), which can be placed on a student's desk to magnify the board or projector screen. Other options include portable video magnifiers or screen-reading software.

    Shazia Baloch
    JEST Teacher
    Address: Sindh Pakistan

  • @Shazia-Baloch

    Hi @Shazia-Baloch,
    Hope everything is going well for you.

    As a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for blind and low vision patients is important to expose my favorite and top AT for visual impairment. Hope these AI solutions could help your students as it is working for my patients.

    Be My AI: A New Feature from Be My Eyes
    Be My Eyes is a groundbreaking app that connects blind users with sighted volunteers through live video calls. This service allows users to capture images or videos of objects or text, which can be read to them by the volunteer. It’s a valuable tool for accessing information, although our students should be aware of its limitations.

    VizLens: Reading Complex Interfaces
    VizLens tackles a unique problem by providing assistance with understanding complex interfaces such as control panels. By taking a picture of the interface and running a finger across the screen, users can hear what each b**ton represents. It’s an innovative solution for interpreting complex layouts and designs.

    Chat GPT: Conversational AI
    Chat GPT is another fantastic AI tool. It enables text and voice conversations with AI, and a subscription to Chat GPT 4.0 provides advanced features, including a hands-free mode. With this technology, blind individuals can engage in natural conversations with an AI assistant that can provide information, answer questions, and assist with various tasks.

    Call Annie: A Free ChatGPT Alternative
    Call Annie is another free app that utilizes ChatGPT in hands-free mode, providing an alternative to ChatGPT’s paid subscription for having conversations with AI.

    Seeing AI: Enhanced Visual Recognition (My favorite, it is very Userfriendly)
    Seeing AI is an app that provides a variety of features, including the ability to recognize multiple-page documents, describe images, and assist users in diverse scenarios. The app’s continuous improvements make it a valuable resource for the visually impaired.

    Envision Glasses: Wearable AI for Enhanced Vision
    Envision Glasses, featuring Google Glass and ChatGPT integration, present a new era of wearable AI. This wearable device, equipped with a camera, can identify objects, read text, and offer valuable information through voice commands. It’s a promising innovation that enhances independence for those who are blind or visually impaired. It is important to explore for our students Grants to access AT.

    JAWS 2024 Beta: Face In View Feature
    JAWS 2024 Beta introduces the Face In View feature, which reads a user’s appearance and positioning from the camera feed in real-time. In an era of remote work and video meetings, this feature ensures that users present themselves effectively, highlighting the relevance of AI in today’s communication landscape.

    OKO AI Copilot for the Blind
    OKO AI Copilot for the Blind is an AI-driven app that recognizes pedestrian walk and don’t walk signals. By using the rear-facing camera of a smartphone, it replicates the chirping sounds heard at crosswalks, indicating when it’s safe to cross, enhancing safety and mobility for individuals who are blind. It is very useful for our students that walk to school by themselves.

    Best,
    Mr. Bryan

  • @BRYANb8875625e5 Thank you, Bryan, for sharing these incredible assistive technology tools! I appreciate your insight into AI solutions that can greatly benefit students with visual impairments. these tools seem very promising for enhancing accessibility and independence in learning. I'll look into these options further to see how we can integrate them effectively into our classroom environment..

    Shazia Baloch
    JEST Teacher
    Address: Sindh Pakistan

  • @Shazia-Baloch

    Great! My favorite is Seeing AI, is very friendly and useful. Best of luck 🙏🏻