Computers

There is only one characteristic of a computer: the ability to compute; to perform computations. That is why we call them computers.

The three major components of a computer are an input device, a processing device and an output device. Regardless of whether it is a biological, analogue or digital computer, it must have all three to be regarded a computer. However, they are not characteristic of a computer.

For instance, a keyboard is specifically an input device but if it has an LED display then it is also an output device that responds to an input (such as toggling CAPS LOCK on and off). But it has no processor, so it is not a computer. If we regarded a keyboard as a computer simply because it has input and output devices, then we'd also have to regard the common light switch as a computer.

Of the three, the processor could be regarded as the primary characteristic, but without an input device a processor has nothing to process and therefore cannot compute. The output device may be the least important, but without an output, how do we know what has been computed? Thus we need all three to have the ability to compute, and that is the one and only characteristic of any computer.

Computer Devices for the Physically Challenged Various computer devices for the physically challenged have made their life a lot easier, helping them to face the world against all odds. It wouldn't be surprising to know that many among us are not even aware of these devices, which have shown a new ray of hope for millions around the world.

Until a few years ago, being physically challenged was a curse that made life miserable for the individual, by making him dependent on others for basic survival. But things have changed today, thanks to significant advancements achieved in various sciences. Powered with some of the technological marvels of recent times, even physically challenged individuals have become successful in carving a niche for themselves, thus becoming independent against all odds. The world today is largely dependent on computers, therefore not being aware of the tricks of this trade is bound to make a person feel left out. This was the case with people with disabilities until computer devices for the physically challenged were introduced one by one over the last decade.

How do People with Disabilities use Computer?

Physically challenged individuals require alternative input devices in order to use the computer. These devices range from voice recognition programs to alternative computer keyboards. These devices for the physically challenged provide them with adaptive options, in the form of computer hardware and software, which help them in eliminating barriers of disability and using a computer.

Computer Devices for People with Disabilities

With the advent of these devices, now it is possible for people with disabilities to use the various machines, including the computer. One such device is the 'Tongue Drive System', wherein a small magnet is implanted in the users tongue and the user has to move his tongue in order to move the cursor. Unlike the other parts of the body, which are controlled by brain through the spinal cord, tongue is directly connected to the brain by a cranial nerve. The cursor can also be guided by off-the-shelf trackballs and foot pedals instead of computer mouse. Pointing devices which can be controlled by movement of the eyebrows are also popular among people with disabilities. Among the other devices for the physically handicapped, a popular one is the virtual keyboard that can be activated with various ability switches. The ability switches use two techniques to operate the keyboard - scanning and direct selection. Some of these keyboards anticipate the words that are being typed, while some even go further to anticipate the entire phrase, thus making it convenient for people to use a computer. The most useful program is the voice recognition program, wherein the human voice is used to generate equivalent key strokes. This program is designed in such a way that it works only for one individual, whose voice is keyed to the program.

Computer Devices for the Blind

Even blind and visually impaired people have benefited from technology boom. On one hand, tactile keyboards with oversize characters help people who are visually impaired to type without difficulty, while text-to-speech technology helps them minimize the errors by knowing what is being typed. Screen readers, powered with a sound card to provide synthesized speech output of the matter displayed on the screen, is one of the best examples of effective electronic devices for the blind.

Advanced technology has made sure that the future for people with disabilities is promising. Computer devices for the physically challenged have helped them learn new skills and thus become independent. Having access to vast amount of information, including information related to various disabilities, stored on the millions of web pages is a boon in itself. In short, computer devices for people with disabilities have not just helped them to enter the mainstream, but also proved them with a bit of help, they can be as competitive as anyone of us.