The aim of the proposed project is to design and implement a computerized Braille Environment that enables the Arabic-speaking visually impaired people to interact with computers by developing an innovative and assistive word processing solution.
People with visual disabilities face many difficulties and barriers when using computers. Such people (and others with various disabilities) need the help of Information Technology developers to create adaptive technologies that ease their interaction with the computers. Furthermore, in Arabian world the need for specialized adaptive technologies increase due to their rare existence and limitations. So, with the development of specialized Arabic software the gap between ordinary people and their peers with disabilities will be bridged. The Computerized Arabic Braille Environment will enable computer users with visual impairment to enter their data and information using any personal computer with no need for special equipments (the ordinary keyboard will act as the Perkins machine). Each Braille character entered will be spoken and translated automatically to its correspondence in Arabic/English, formulating at the end a complete translation. The environment can also handle multilevel of contractions. Moreover, the environment will accept Arabic/English text and translate it to Braille. With this procedure in hand, people with visual impairment can communicate with the outer world easily without a need for a third party to handle the process of translating and dictating.
The aim of the proposed project is to design and implement a computerized Braille Environment that enables the Arabic-speaking visually impaired people to interact with computers by developing an innovative and assistive word processing solution.
People with visual disabilities face many difficulties and barriers when using computers. Such people (and others with various disabilities) need the help of Information Technology developers to create adaptive technologies that ease their interaction with the computers. Furthermore, in Arabian world the need for specialized adaptive technologies increase due to their rare existence and limitations. So, with the development of specialized Arabic software the gap between ordinary people and their peers with disabilities will be bridged. The Computerized Arabic Braille Environment will enable computer users with visual impairment to enter their data and information using any personal computer with no need for special equipments (the ordinary keyboard will act as the Perkins machine). Each Braille character entered will be spoken and translated automatically to its correspondence in Arabic/English, formulating at the end a complete translation. The environment can also handle multilevel of contractions. Moreover, the environment will accept Arabic/English text and translate it to Braille. With this procedure in hand, people with visual impairment can communicate with the outer world easily without a need for a third party to handle the process of translating and dictating.

Hend Al-Khalifa

The Arabic Braille Editor was designed and implemented.

King Saud University

Ministry of Education/King Saud University

N/A.

N/A.

N/A.