Wpływ najnowszych technik informatycznych na rehabilitacje osób z dysfunkcją wzroku

Abstract

It is commonly known that difficulties with accessing information and mobility are the major problems encountered by visually impaired people in their everyday life. These obstacles occur as direct consequences of a total or partial loss of sight, the sense which is most responsible for the cognitive processes of a human being. A dynamic progress in the computer science which has been observed during the last two decades provides the visually impaired with numerous technical means and methods significantly increasing their possibilities to acquire information. The technical means include: electronic devices meant to assist impaired vision; Braille displays and printers converting visual information into its tactile form; screen readers converting graphic information into synthetic speech. Particular sections of the article give a brief description of each of the most important technical means mentioned above which not only facilitate access to text information but also convey graphic elements and help the visually impaired to travel independently The last section discusses the role of the latest technical developments, such as the internet, satellite navigation or mobile phones, for the integration of visually impaired people with the community.