The Kentucky School for the Blind Outreach Assistive Technology Lending Library makes a variety of assistive technology devices available to teachers of students with visual impairments and orientation and mobility specialists with their public-school students with visual impairments in Kentucky. Take a look at the list of available devices listed below and inquire about the process to borrow one by sending an email to ksb.at@ksb.kyschools.us Please also review our policies and procedures. A signature acknowledging you agree to the policies and procedures is necessary to borrow an item.
Click on a category to find specific devices: Refreshable braille displays, Braille embossers, Electronic magnifiers, Calculators, Lamps, Reading Stands, Daily living products, Wearable reading/magnifying devices, CVI, Computers/tablets, Games, O&M. The quotes in the descriptions are taken from the product's website.
Refreshable Braille Display:
Mantis Q40: “A Bluetooth® keyboard [QWERTY] and 40-cell refreshable braille display.”
Chameleon 20: “Featuring Text-to-Speech, the Chameleon 20 is the perfect device for learning and reinforcing braille literacy skills. As a portable braille display with local apps, like an editor and library, this device is perfect for improving productivity.”
BrailleNote Touch +: “Combines the simplicity of a note-taking tool with the power of a smart digital device.”
Freedom Scientific Focus 14 Blue: "14-cell Braille Display. 8-dot keyboard and Bluetooth 4.1 and USB-C connectivity so that you can switch between five connected devices. Use it with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or use the built-in Scratchpad to take notes on the fly."
HIMS QBraille XL: “Represents an entirely new type of 40-cell Braille display. The QBraille XL replaces the need for special keystrokes with the intuitively placed function keys found on all QWERTY keyboards. With the QBraille XL, closing an application means simply pressing the dedicated and familiar Alt+F4 buttons.”
Taptilo: “A smart braille learning device that makes braille learning fun and easy! Braille beginners can learn braille patterns independently with the interactive braille display and audio feedback. Along with the jumbo-sized braille blocks, tactile guidance, and audio guide, braille-beginners can easily follow pre-made curriculums in Taptilo.”
BrailleSense Polaris Mini: “With a 20-cell Braille display and a 11-key Perkins-style keyboard with Ctrl and Alt Keys, Polaris Mini looks and feels like a traditional notetaker. However, its competitive modern hardware and connectivity, along with direct access to Android applications, ensure it stacks up solidly against modern off-the-shelf phones and tablets.”
Humanware Brailliant BI 40X: “Offers you a reliable connection to multiple devices at once. Plus, the KeySoft Lite application suite is ready to give you a smarter, more intuitive user experience. By allowing you to speak the word under the cursor and announce an unfamiliar word, the text-to-speech feature promotes braille proficiency, making it easier to switch from uncontracted to contracted braille. You can customize the main menu, configure the thumb keys, select the braille table, and adjust the auto-scroll speed to suit your reading preferences and maximize your comfort.”
APH Polly: “An electronic Wi-Fi enabled braille learning device that teaches reading, typing, writing, vocabulary, and spelling in both contracted and uncontracted braille using a gamified approach.”
Braille Embossers:
Page Blaster: “A powerful braille embosser for continuous fanfold paper.”
Pix Blaster: “Produce high-quality braille and tactile graphics.”
Emprint SpotDot: “Color ink, tactile graphics, and cut sheet paper.”
Pictures in a Flash (PIAF): "PIAF translates images into simple or complex tactile concepts like clockwork. Used in a variety of educational, professional and personal settings, it offers you a simple way to prepare tactile graphics, embossing any black lines, letters or shapes that are drawn or printed."
Electronic Magnifiers:
Jupiter: “Camera Modes: Reading: excellent for reading a book, prescription bottle labels, completing a homework assignment, etc. Distance-view: magnifies up to 150x and is great for viewing a presentation, guest speaker, instructor, etc., at the front of a classroom/venue. Self-view: serves just like an HD mirror, and is perfect for applying make-up and other grooming activities.”
MATT Connect: “A compact all-in-one magnifier, distance viewer, and educational Android tablet.”
Humanware Reveal 16i: “In addition to optical character recognition (OCR), with the award-winning Diamond Edge™ font delivering text with amazing clarity, and text-to-speech (TTS), to read aloud, you can enlarge print documents, read books from online libraries, write documents, send emails and navigate the Internet. Switch to the Android interface and you can access Dropbox, Google Classroom, or any other social, news, or entertainment apps you like. Reveal 16i features an adjustable 16-inch screen and a powerful camera.”
Video Mag HD: “Video Mag HD features an ergonomic, fold-away handle which allows the user to hold the magnifier close to an object, press the magnification buttons for continuous zoom, and then freeze the image on the screen. The unit also has a reading line and reading mask feature that can be used to quickly locate and maintain one’s place while viewing an image or reading text on the LCD screen.”
Juno: “Can capture and process multiple pages of printed text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Users can either read the text on Juno’s 7-inch LCD screen with 2x-30x magnification and 24 high-contrast color modes, or have it read aloud to them using text-to-speech (TTS).
Freedom Scientific Ruby 7: "The unique PivotCam™ camera offers a wide range of viewing modes for reading, writing, distance viewing, and even a mirror-image self-view. The RUBY 7 HD combines convenience and flexibility as the leader in the next generation of handheld video magnifiers."
Humanware Explore 8: "The explorē 8 is the first 8-inch touchscreen digital handheld magnifier available for desktop or distance viewing. Magnifying up to 30X with stunning image quality, you can enjoy all the benefits of a large screen in a very compact package."
Topaz Ultra: "Portable magnifier with a unique folding design, making it extremely easy to take with you wherever you go. With crisp, full-HD images, available in a 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch screen, clearly see what you want, whether across the room or at your desk. The monitor height is fully adjustable, ensuring you always have the right reading angle. And its compact size lets you store it when not in use."
Freedom Scientific Topaz OCR: “Combines video magnification and text-to-speech features into a single desktop video magnifier. The high-definition camera produces a clear picture with sharp images and crisp text. The OCR camera displays a document on the touchscreen, and then TOPAZ processes, acquires, and reads aloud the document.”
HumanWare Explore 12: “It is an easy-to-use, smart video magnifier that offers HD image quality for improved near and distance reading and viewing. The 12-inch touchscreen makes it the largest portable magnifier in our explorÄ“ series. It provides the added benefit of a foldable stand enabling easy use for reading, writing, and other manual tasks.”
Freedom Scientific Ruby 10: “Has a 10-inch touchscreen and three dedicated cameras. The RUBY 10 can magnify letters, magazines, labels, and photos. The swing out arm allows you to view items in your hand and write.”
Low Vision International, Magnilink Zip: “MagniLink Zip 17 FHD is a true, portable video magnifier with a Full HD reading and distance camera as well as a low-vision adapted 17.3” monitor. It has all the functions offered in a desktop video magnifier, but can be folded and carried to another location easily.”
Clover Book Pro, including 12.5” secondary screen: “When you zoom in, it can be difficult to find your place when you need to move to the start of a new line or find another column in the newspaper. Viewing spreadsheets and other documents can be troubling since you only see a small part of the page that is magnified and can easily lose your orientation. Luckily, CloverBook Pro has the answer! By adding the CloverView screen to CloverBook Pro Portable Magnifier, you open up a unique method of document navigation, so you never lose your place. One screen helps you keep your orientation and the other screen shows the zoomed view.”
Low Vision International MagniLink Tab 2: Based on a Microsoft Surface Pro with 12.3” screen. perfect for any smaller task, as well as for long term reading. Use it as a video magnifier with built in OCR, or as a complete computer with access to everything."
Low Vision International MagniLink S Premium 2: “offers superior image quality, modern technology and really smart features. It’s also easy to carry, for example, between home and school or a workplace – and can be connected to a computer (PC/Mac/Chromebook) or a monitor. Thus, you can choose the features and options that fit your needs.”
Calculators:
Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphic Calculator
SciPlus 2300 Calculator with Spanish option: “This device will assist you in independently learning trigonometry, fractions, and other advanced mathematics.”
SciPlus 3500 Calculator: "Large button, big display scientific graphing calculator designed specifically for users with low vision. Performs scientific, statistical and trigonometric calculations, and fractions. It has the ability to evaluate functions, evaluate mathematical expressions, plot equations, analyze values along a curve and determine y-intercepts, poles, and more. Includes speech output via earbuds which are included."
Lamps:
Big Eye High Intensity Table Lamp
Large Luxo Table Lamp/Magnifier
Clip-on WonderFlex LED light
Stella Go: “A portable battery powered wireless LED task lamp. features tri-spectrum technology, giving the user the ability to change from a warm, natural, or cool light, 10-level dimming, minimal heat, and low wattage consumption.”
Reading Stands:
KNFB Reader Portable Scanning Stand: "Utilizes your phone, or other devices, and an OCR (optical character recognition) app to read print materials."
Daily Living Products:
Colorino: "Speaks colors and detects light."
Combination Lock: 10 digit push button combination lock.
OVO Talking Alarm Watch
Women's Braille Watch
Men's Braille Watch
Magnetic Tactile Watch--Men's
Braille label maker
Talking Label Wand: "Voice labeling system that keeps you organized and helps you identify household items easily and efficiently. This talking label identifier comes with 232 labels— 160 round, tactile labels and 72 rectangular, washable labels. Use the round labels for food, medicine, files, music, and more, while the rectangular washable labels can be used for those items as well as clothes. This talking label pen can also switch between English and Spanish languages, and you can re-record labels for a new item."
iBill Talking Banknote Identifier
Philips VoiceTracer Audio Recorder
Freedom Scientific Eye-Pal Reader: “An easy-to-use scanning and reading appliance that instantly and accurately converts printed text into speech. The Eye-Pal Reader's smart technology will sense document placement, and automatically begin to scan and read.”
OrCam Read: A handheld OCR. It will read aloud sections of text that the user points the device toward.
Wearable reading/magnifying device:
OrCam MyEye: "Wearable device, for people who are blind or visually impaired, that reads text, recognizes faces, identifies products & more."
eSight 4: "All-in-one wearable device for people with visual impairments. You can wear eSight glasses throughout the day, enjoying greater visual acuity and enhanced independence."
Oxsight Onyx: “Has a range of intelligent features that enhance your vision in an instant. From face recognition and tracking, text detection, automatic night mode and even a TV mode.”
Cortical Visual Impairment:
APH CVI Light box, large: "APH’s LED Light Box and accompanying materials help utilize students’ residual vision to track, scan, and develop eye-hand coordination, visual discrimination, and visual perceptual skills."
Light Box materials: level 1, 2, and 3
CVI—Match Sticks Game: "Designed to provide children in Phases II and III of the CVI Range Assessment* with a matching activity that is fun and entertaining and that helps develop vision skills."
Computers/tablets:
Dell Laptop Latitude 5520
HP Chromebook
AbleNet KinderBoard: "Large-key computer keyboard."
Ai Squared ZoomText Large-print Keyboard (white on black): " Designed for anyone who struggles to see the lettering on their keyboard. The ZoomText Large-Print Keyboard also provides quick access to ZoomText features."
Ai Squared ZoomText Large-print Keyboard (black on yellow):
Dolphin SuperNova: “Provides exceptional magnification, screen reading and braille support that enables you to explore your computer screen and read information in ways that suit your vision.”
BIGTrack 2: “A USB mouse that includes a large 3-in / 7.62-cm trackball. The sturdy base of BIGtrack 2 allows the user to easily move and position the mouse cursor on the computer screen while using fine or gross motor movements of the hand, arm, or foot. Once the mouse cursor is positioned, two over-sized buttons are available for left and right clicking.”
17” Acer Chromebook
Apple products:
MacBook Air
iPad Pro
iPad Air
Apple Pencil
AirPods Pro
Apple Magic Mouse
AirPods Pro and Apple Magic Mouse
Games:
30-Love Tennis Set: "Students who are blind or visually impaired are able to get out on the court with peers, compete, and develop a new interest."
CVI—Match Sticks Game: "Designed to provide children in Phases II and III of the CVI Range Assessment* with a matching activity that is fun and entertaining and that helps develop vision skills."
Game of Squares: "Accommodates a variety of common board games, as well as some original games."
Braille Buzz: "Encourages practice with braille characters and phonics, similar to a variety of audio-based toys that teach print writing. BrailleBuzz resembles a cartoon bumblebee, encouraging little ones with audio feedback. A friendly recorded human voice and fun sounds are paired with a Perkins-style braille keyboard, designed with little hands in mind."
Taptilo: “A smart braille learning device that makes braille learning fun and easy! Braille beginners can learn braille patterns independently with the interactive braille display and audio feedback. Along with the jumbo-sized braille blocks, tactile guidance, and audio guide, braille-beginners can easily follow pre-made curriculums in Taptilo.”
APH Polly: “An electronic Wi-Fi enabled braille learning device that teaches reading, typing, writing, vocabulary, and spelling in both contracted and uncontracted braille using a gamified approach.”
O&M Products:
Portable Sound Source: Sports Edition: " Create audio tones that provide directional cues."
Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit: " Create maps, charts, shapes, and your own tactile masterpieces."
Tactile Town 3D O&M Kit: "An interactive, 3-D model that teaches spatial concepts and cognitive mapping skills."
VictorReader Trek: “Combines the world renowned simple book reading and media playback experience of the VictorReader Stream with the navigation guidance technology.”
WeWalk Smart Cane, 51: “Acts as a new handle when attached to any long cane and was designed to feel natural, allowing for normal cane usage. When walking, WeWALK vibrates to inform you of low-hanging obstacles that the bottom of a cane may typically miss, such as a sign or tree branch. Additionally, pair your cane to the WeWALK app on your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth to make use of WeWALK’s smart features.”
StellarTrek: “A digital orientation and mobility assistant with state-of-the-art GPS technology and a user-friendly tactile interface with buttons to guide you along your chosen route using appropriate voice inputs. The integrated camera and artificial intelligence locate and recognize street addresses, doors and entrances, and provide audio and voice guidance to the last 40 feet of your destination. The StellarTrek can also read barcodes to give you product information, recognize colour, and scan text (such as street signs, ingredient lists, receipts or nutritional values) to read aloud.”