Mar. 5 The Talking Laptop
On this day in 1993 the talking Toshiba T1000 laptop computer helps a blind college student earn his degree. Before the laptop’s emergence Robert Antunez struggled mightily to complete his course requirements at UCLA.
Finally after 15 years the Toshiba T1000 laptop computer helped him complete his bachelor's degree in political science. It worked for him as a blind person because it ran with Artic Vision hardware (known as the Braille monitor).
It wasn’t cheap ($800) or light (6.4 pounds) but if it helps one graduate from college it is worth the cost and weight.
Imagine what Robert felt like on this day in 1993. He finally achieved his goal.
What Is Available For The Visually Impaired Today?
People with visual impairments can use special programs and equipment called assisted technology (AT).
There are two types available today for the totally blind.
- Screen readers which are software that translates screen contents into synthetic speech.
- Refreshable braille displays which are hardware devices that contain a strip of retractable braille pins, allowing braille characters to be generated on the fly.
Much to be grateful for
It is easy to forget what life would be like without good eyesight. Think how it would slow down online business productivity.
Work with new inspiration today if your eyesight does not hinder your ability to work online.
Recent Comments
24
Great article here.
Thank you so much for sharing this here about talking Toshiba T1000 laptop computer helps a blind. That's amazing new technology.
Best wishes to you,
Thanks,
Joyce
Wow! that's great! Keep up on sharing.
Thank you so much.
Take care, and God bless!
Thanks,
Joyce
Good to know the backstory on these technologies, George. I actually remember embedding a text-to-speech solution called ReadSpeaker on one of my client websites a few years ago for those who were visually impaired or colorblind. Their subscribers found it very helpful for being able to access their content.
Appreciate the post!
Isaiah 😊
Nice to know you have accommodated a client website with assisted technology. I can image how grateful the impacted subscribers were. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
See more comments
I have a very dear friend who has been blind from birth. She is one of the most amazing people I know. Sometimes when I'm with her, I forget that she can't see me. When I first met her in the chorus we both sing in, she was using the white cane that most with limited eyesight use for safe navigation. Then at the age of 85, she went to Seeing Eye for training with her new Seeing Eye dog.
One of the most amazing things about MaryGrace is that she learned to play the piano by braille. When we start a new session with the chorus, one of the members records her part for each song for her because she can't read the music that is not written in braille. Then she painstakingly translates each word from the tape into braille to provide the words for her to learn the song. And to top that off, she has perfect pitch!
MaryGrace lives alone in her own home and is totally independent. When I first took her home from chorus, I watched her walk up to the back door in the dark, which of course didn't matter to her. She located the key where she keeps it hidden on the porch, unlocked her door, and went on in without a backward glance, or a stumble on the stairs.
She is retired now, but has her master's degree in social work, and worked at an agency that provides assistance to the visually impaired.
One evening on the way home from chorus rehearsal, I made the mistake of telling MaryGrace that she is amazing. I meant that as a sincere compliment and was surprised to discover that it upset her. Her response to me was "I am not amazing. I am normal!"
Oops! Excuse me...I got off on a tangent about my friend and forgot to say what I intended to about your post. MaryGrace uses a computer that reads her emails to her. I don't know how she does research, but I'm guessing that she has a voice command feature on her computer that. She mentioned to me one time that she had broken her finger, and that made typing difficult until it healed. I'm guessing she has braille keys on her keyboard, but don't know for sure.
What an amazing life story of MaryGrace. Her life is very inspirational. What a fantastic outlook she has on life. And to think she is independent and doing well. Plus she is blessed with a long life. Thank you so much for sharing. I too would say "She is amazing'".
She certainly is, but don't tell her that!!
No doubt she is doing so well because she knows how to correct people in the way they think of her. Her independent spirit is giving her such a full life.
Absolutely.