Summary: Computer Aids or peripherals. These can be better mice, keyboards or displays. Audio devices like speakers, headphones, electronic keyboards, microphones, mixer, drum machines, midi devices and the like. It can be a better printer, be it laser, inkjet or 3D. Hard drive, flashdrive, CD/DVD/Blueray or NAS box. Drawing devices like light pens, tablets and others. Scanners like 2D or 3D. Lots and lots of different devices to make you life a little easier. I will be concentrating on those for Elders who might have vision, hearing or movement problems. Devices that just make using a computer much easier so you can enjoy and not worry about how things work. It might be something as simple as a full spectrum lamp to relieve eye strain or a anti-reflective monitor. Devices for everyday living, work or all the arts. Computer Aids for Elders: - Keyboards (ergonomic, large type, overlays and colors). - Music and other arts devices. - Lamps (natural or full spectrum). - Trackballs Joysticks or Touch Pads - Headphones (with build in mic and noise canceling). - Speakers (radio frequency shielding). - Displays (touch screens or screen magnification software). - Drawing Pads (drafting, art or touch). - Software (screen magnification or text to speech). - Printers or Scanners (2D & 3D, desktop, portable or wand). - Drives (SSD hard & flash also CD/DVD/Blueray). - Hand Assist (wrist wrap, type aid or document holder). - Cameras (web or security). Alternative input devices allow individuals to control their computers. Keyboards larger or smaller, alternative keys, one hand, overlays. Pointing devices for cursor control without use of hands by devices used include ultrasound, infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or brain waves. Sip-and-puff systems—activated by inhaling or exhaling. Wands and sticks on the head, mouth or chin to press keys on the keyboard. Joysticks on hands, feet, chin, etc. for cursor control. Trackballs or movable balls for cursor. Touch screens allowing touch activation of the computer for easier to selection of options instead or mouse or keyboard. Touch screens can be built-in or add-on monitors. Braille embossers for text transfer output to printers. Braille translation programs for text to speech. Keyboard filters for word prediction, spelling checkers and reduced keystrokes. They enable users to quickly access letters they want or avoid inadvertently selections. Light or sound alerts for computer signals. Useful for hearing or vision impaired or when not near your computer or when some command or process is completed. On-screen keyboards to select keys with electronic pointing devices. Helpful for individuals unable to use a standard keyboard due to dexterity or mobility. Software for reading, learning, scanning, navigating or speaking text. Learn a foreign language, text to speech, screen magnification and others. Braille displays for tactile output. Screen enlargers or screen magnifiers for increase legibility with zoom in and out and screen area selection. Screen readers for text to speech or everything on the screen like text, graphics, buttons, and menus. Can be a computerized or natural voice. Text-to-Speech(TTS), speech synthesizers or TTY/TDD conversion modems. Speech or voice recognition for controlling and navigating computer operating systems, software, documents, web and email by a microphone. Arts like music input or output devices. Midi-keyboard, synthesizer, drum machine etc. Light displays like laser, projector, screens etc. Drawing tablets for your painting, modeling etc. Lots or others are available. These kind of devices can aid, enhance or make computing easier to access for you. I use a ergonomic keyboard, extra large mouse, large LED display, Ott-Lite, RF Speakers and others myself for everyday assistance with my neuropathy nerve pain and arthritis. Don't feel bad if you need some device to make it a little easier. Just get on your computer,
