The High Price of Technology

Technology has produced outstanding products to enhance the lives of the visually impaired. These items aid their everyday lives and bring them into the mainstream of life that many of us take for granted.

In my professional life I am in constant contact with those who are visually impaired or totally blind. I am in awe of the technology that they use.

Here is a look at some of the technology they use and these same products that can be used by anyone who is visually impaired. As we look at these products you will find how remarkable they are but also note the high price of this technology!

Portable Braille Display:

This is an extension to a Windows operating environment. It uses Whiz Wheels for rapid navigation and dual purpose cursor. The users can obtain the information that they need to acquire quickly.
Average Price: $2000.00

Small-Talk Ultra:

This is a computer that fits in the palm of your hand. It is a fully featured Vista Windows computer, that can be use to take notes, use high powered applications at work; perform email, and much more.
Average Price: $2595.00

JAWS:

JAWS is a powerful screen reader that works with the computer to access software applications and the Internet. The software speech synthesizer and the computers sound card provide for the information on the screen to be read aloud. JAWS also outputs refreshable Braille displays.
Average Price: $895.00

Dragon Naturally Speaking:

This software combined with a microphone, the words appear on the screen of your computer. This software s integrated with WordPerfect and Word.
Average Price: $200.00

CCTV's:

CCTV's come in many different types and styles. Most widely used is the desktop style which magnifies 5.5X to 50X, onto a monitor.
Average Prices: $2750.00

Primer:

For those that can not afford the traditional CCTV there is this alternative. The Primer is a little camera that you roll over the area. It will focus the text onto your own television monitor. Maximizing from 8X to 15X.
Average Price: $295.00

Street Talk:

Street Talk is great for traveling around or just taking a walk. It is paired with a GPS receiver and PAC Mate. This is a wonderful navigational tool that will announce in speech or Braille.
Average Price: $600.00

SARA- Scanning and Reading Appliance:

SARA is for those with low vision that is for use in reading printed material by the use of a scanner. You place your item on the scanner and SARA reads it back to you. There is also the option of Braille display or large print.
Average Price: $2800.00

Knfb Reader Camera for Mobile Phones:

This is the latest in cutting edge technology. You hold the camera over the print, such as in a restaurant when reading a menu, and then you just snap a picture of it. In just a few seconds it will tell you the contents of the text in speech. This technology outdoes itself as it also stores thousand of pages and has the capability to transfer them to your computer or Braille notetakers.
Average Price: $1595.00

The advancements in technology are progressing everyday for the betterment of all of those with visual impairments. However the costs are sometimes out of reach, and in most cases are definitely out of reach for those that need it the most.

Author:

Sandi Baker

http://visualinnovations.org

I am the Co-Founder of Visual Innovations & Solutions. We are a non-profit foundation dedicated to bringing technology to the visually impaired. Please visit our website.

http://visualinnovations.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandi_Baker

Biosphere Technology - The Advanced Energy Conversion

Some energy sources cause implications to the environment and public health but not with Biosphere Technology. This technology is an advanced energy conversion which integrates gasification process to convert waste materials into green energy without harming the natural environment and human health. Dr. Chris MacCormack is the man behind this ingenious invention on waste treatment and energy production. He is the CEO and Chairman of Global Environmental Energy Corporation (GEECF), a company that focuses on clean technology and innovation researches.

Aside from its significant contribution to green energy production, it is also a valuable tool in eliminating waste materials by using advanced method of destroying waste. Unlike with traditional energy conversion methods such as burning of fossil fuels its entire process is proven to be environmental. This technology is also in full compliance with international atmospheric standard emissions including U.S, European, Japan atmospheric standards and EPA.

Similar with traditional renewable energy sources, green energy can be harvested over and over again only the source is different. With biosphere technology, there is no need to harness energy from natural resources, because it uses waste materials for fueling and harnessing green energy. This technology can efficiently replace landfill systems which often cause leachate issues and other contamination on our natural environment.

Biosphere Technology for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Preservation

Biosphere Technology offers a practical way of resolving both energy and environmental problems without causing impact to the environment. With the ever-growing demand of energy and continues increase of oil prices, this is one of the best solutions that we can develop. If countries will all adopt this technology, it will lessen atmospheric emissions and minimize the use of natural resources thus greatly preserve both energy and the environment. Since it uses waste materials to produce heat steam for producing energy it does not require much energy thus the greater its efficiency level compare to coal fired power plants and oil refineries. Its production of green energy entails no sacrifices of our natural resources while improving the production of energy at more environmental level.

The Marketable By-Products of Biosphere Technology

In the entire process of biosphere technology, there are about five end products like green energy (electricity), carbon black, high alloy steel wire, pozzolanic ash, and potable water. The green energy and potable which we all know it are very valuable for survival and development while the others are all usable in other industries like rubber manufacturing, ink, cement and steel industry.

We provide ecological waste management system and green energy production through biosphere technology. Learn how we do it - Click here>> Biosphere Technology

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lian_Atienza