Accessories

Contents: To jump to the topic you would like, click on the links below

Introduction Pill Reminder, Splitter & Organizer Tape Measures For The Blind Money Template & Coin Selector Pen Friend Talking Calculators Talking Personal Scale Talking Thermometer Signature Guides

Talking & Braille Watches, Alarm Clocks Alarm Clocks Talking Calendar Alarm Clocks Braille Watches & Clocks Talking Watches Telephones References Disclaimer

Introduction

Many Persons who are Blind or have Visual Impairments require Accessories to assist them on a daily basis. The Accessories listed on this page are those small Assistive Devices that are used by Persons With Visual Impairments to become more independent. They include products such as Automatic Pill Reminders, Pill Splitters & Pill Organizers; Braille or Talking Tape Measures; Money Templates & Coin Selectors; Pen Friends; Talking Calculators; Signature Guides, Braille & Talking Watches & Alarm Clocks, etc. Some of these products include braille markings on them to make them easier to use by Persons who are Blind. Below is a list of some of this equipment, which is available in South Africa from organizations and companies such as Blind SA, Sensory Solutions and Edit Microsystems.

Edit Microsystems: Edit Microsystems (Pty) Ltd is an award-winning company that is devoted to finding alternative and state-of-the-art technical solutions to improve curriculum delivery in educational institutions and effective communication in business with a focus on high-speed functional connectivity and on-going support. They have a proud tradition of innovation and are on the cutting edge of technological advances in education. Many of their products are designed to enhance interactivity in a classroom or lecture theatre. Edit Microsystems are also a leader in finding and providing specially adapted hardware and software for Learners with Special Educational Needs throughout South Africa.

Edit Microsystems can be contacted on: 086 111 3973 and have their Head Office in Cape Town at: 13 Boy De Goede Circle, Table View, 7441. They also have an online shop and branches in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng.
To contact these other branches or find out more about Edit Microsystems and the products they supply, visit their web site at: www.editmicro.co.za or email them at: info@editmicro.co.za.

Blind SA: Blind SA is a national Disable People’s Organisation (DPO) of the blind and for the blind. Established in 1946 as the South African Blind Workers Organisation (SABWO) and became Blind SA in 2004. Head office is situated at 5 Fuchs Street, Alrode, Alberton, however our services are rendered to blind and visually impaired in all provinces in South Africa

The vision of Blind SA is to do whatever is necessary or conducive to empower visually impaired people to become economically self-supporting and to live a full and meaningful life as citizens of South Africa.
The biggest challenges faced in our communities are the shortage of financial resources to enable our blind and visually impaired beneficiaries to reach their full potential as independent members of society.

The impact that Blind SA has had on the community is a more informed, empowered and enabled blind and visually impaired community. Because we have so many such people who are in serious need of our assistance, we would welcome the opportunity and resources to be able to reach more people with the view of creating a self-supporting, independent and informed blind and visually impaired community throughout South Africa.

“Our Purpose is to end the cycle of poverty for Blind South Africans, empowering them with knowledge and information through education, braille and developmental services and to break down barriers, provide opportunities and create answers that improve the quality of life for the blind community so that they can live the life they choose.”

Blind SA also stock and sell a variety of Assistive Devices to assist persons who are Blind, these include the Mali-Bhala, Tatrapoint Mechanical Brailler and Braille-Me. For any other requirements, contact Blind SA on: Tel: +27 11 839 1793/4 or Email: ceo@blindsa.org.za, Jennine Pare - sales@blindsa.org.za, or visit us at: Address: 5 Fuchs Street, Alrode, Gauteng, South Africa. Website: www.blindsa.org.za.

Sensory Solutions: Sensory Solutions is a South African company with considerable experience in the field of accommodating persons who are visually impaired, blind or partially sighted. We specialise in the field of providing Access Technology solutions for individuals, schools, universities, government departments and more, in order to make the environment more accessible for the visually impaired.

Sensory Solutions is at the forefront of the world’s leading Access Technology products and are in some cases the exclusive distributors. Sensory Solutions is a responsible employer which employs people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those who are disabled. Part of our mission is to advise individuals and institutions on the best solutions available for particular environments, to design such solutions and finally to implement them on site. As such, we are approved African distributors for a wide range of Access Technology products selected specifically for their suitability to the African environment and our specific situation.

We are proud to be appointed exclusive and preferred dealerships for some of the world’s most leading Access Technology manufacturers. Our mission and ethos revolve around our fellow man, empowering them and making the playing fields level as far as we can make a difference.

Whether you are an individual, institution or company in need of information regarding Access Technology, we are ready to assist you. Please feel free to contact us at our Head Office on: +27 12 664 7704 or at 226 Kruger Avenue, Lyttelton Manor, Centurion, 0157. Email: hope@sensorysolutions.co.za, khan@sensorysolutions.co.za or visit our website at: www.sensorysolutions.co.za

Please read the information below to find out more about these different types of Accessories as well as some of the companies that supply them.

Pill Reminder, Pill Splitter & Pill Organizer

Automatic Pill Reminders, Pill Splitters & Pill Organizers (pictured right) are ideal for Persons with disabilities, so that they are able to organize, store  and cut their pills. The Pill Splitter Cuts tablets in half easily, while a Pill Organizer is a convenient way to organize and store your daily tablets. These products come in a variety of different sizes and styles and are sold by various Organizations and Companies, including the South African National Council for the Blind who sell Pill Organizers. Contact them to receive a quote or Contact Us if you have any questions.

Tape Measures For The Blind

Tape-Measures For The Blind enable Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired to still be able to complete small tasks around their home. There are two types of Tape-Measures For The Blind, which include the Talking Tape-Measure and the Braille Tape-Measure.

The Braille Tape-Measure: (pictured right) is available in South Africa from Organizations such as the South African National Council for the Blind, who sells a Meter long tape measure which has tactile markings at centimetres and inches. Contact them to receive a quote or Contact Us if you have any questions.

Money Template & Coin Selector

In South Africa and in many other countries around the world, money has been designed and made to include distinct features so that Persons who are Blind are able to tell the different coins and notes apart. A coin for example has six distinct features by which it can be identified. Equipment is also available to help persons who are Blind to store their coins and distinguish them apart, this equipment includes:

Plastic Coin Selectors: (pictured right) are also used for quick and easy reference, as the plastic unit has places for South African coins which enables you to handily store your coins in one unit. These plastic coin selectors are available from organizations such as the South African National Council for the Blind. You can contact them to find out more or to receive a quote.

New South African Bank Notes also have defining markings on them, so that they can be recognized. They have one, two, three, four or five raised diamond shapes in the middle of the bottom half of the  notes, which enable Persons who are Blind to identify them as R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 respectively. The notes are also different lengths and have geometric shapes on the front of the banknotes. Click Here to find out more about these and other Accessible Features that the Government has introduced. Money Templates are also available to assist persons who are Blind to distinguish between Bank Notes.

Money Templates: are also used to measure banknotes, they come in various styles, including an aluminium device, which can only be used for identifying paper money and is available from organizations such as the South African National Council for the Blind. The other type of Money Template that is sold, is a cardboard one, which can also be used to store the banknotes, they are available from organizations such as the Guide Dogs Association of South African and Blind SA. You can contact Blind SA or Edit Microsystems to receive a quote, or visit Blind SA to see how it is used.

Pen Friend

A Pen Friend is a electronic unit which allows for the identification of items by affixing a dot on to the item and the user speaks the specifications of the item. This used is for later identification by holding the Pen Friend against the dot.

Pen Friends: (pictured right) are available from companies and organizations such as the South African National Council for the Blind. Contact them to receive a quote or Contact Us if you have any questions.

Talking Calculators

A Talking Calculator is a portable electronic device used to perform calculations, ranging from basic arithmetic to complex mathematics and then to talk the answer back to the user in a clear voice. There are a variety of  different types of Talking Calculators available in South Africa, which are sold by organizations and companies such as the South African National Council for the Blind, Edit Microsystems and Sensory Solutions. These include Talking Scientific Calculator and "A4 Talking Desktop Calculators" and "Talking Handheld Calculator."

Talking Scientific Calculator: This Talking Scientific Calculator (pictured above right) is an ergonomically designed unit suitable for use by both students and professionals. There is an earphone jack for private use, so that all keys presses and results are spoken and supplied through the ear phones for private listening. You can contact South African National Council for the Blind to find out more or to receive a quote.

Platon Scientific: Platon Scientific calculators (pictured right) offer all basic operations and combine many academic, scientific and financial functions in one device. The input is via the large keys. The supplied values are displayed on the 10 digit display. This scientific calculator is especially designed for the visually impaired. It comes in 3 flavours – Platon Scientific (speech output), Platon XL (extra-large display and buttons) and Platon XL Voice (extra-large display and buttons and speech output). Spoken functions are with a clear, natural language in 6 volumes. Power is supplied from AAA batteries. Please feel free to contact Sensory Solutions for more information and to receive a quote

Double Check: Double Check calculators (pictured right) include the basic arithmetic operations as well as the possibility to calculate percentages, extract square roots or raise a number to a given power. This financial calculator combines commercial functions and conversion functions in one device. It is designed for the visually impaired. It comes in 3 flavours – Double Check (speech output), Double Check XL (extra-large display and buttons) and Double Check XL Voice (extra-large display and buttons and speech output). Spoken functions are with a clear, natural language in 6 volumes. Power is supplied from AAA batteries. Please feel free to contact Sensory Solutions for more information and to receive a quote.

A4 Talking Desktop Calculator: This A4 sized calculator talks to the user in a clear female voice. The large buttons and clear display and announcements make simple calculating tasks more convenient and efficient for individuals who cannot see a standard display. This product is suitable for low vision users and includes a square root function key, Percentage key and Memory keys. You can contact Edit Microsystems for more information and to receive a quote.

Talking Handheld Calculator: This Talking Handheld Calculator (pictured right) has an 8 digit display, an alarm clock, a percentage button and a large digit LCD display. The calculator announces the input digits and totals in a clear female voice. The announcements can be repeated at the press of a button and the volume can be easily adjusted. The dimensions are 85mm (W) x 129mm (L) x 18mm (D) and it is powered by 2 x AAA batteries. You can contact Edit Microsystems for more information or to receive a quote.

There are also various other types of these products which are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems, Sensory Solutions and the South African National Council for the Blind. Please contact them to see what other types of these products they can supply.

Talking Thermometer

There are also various types of Talking Thermometers available in South Africa, including:

The Talking Inside / Outside Thermometer: This Thermometer will announce the inside and outside temperatures in a clear female voice. The measurement unit can either be Celsius or Fahrenheit and the unit has a probe that can be led through a window to measure the outside temperature. The Talking Thermometer can be set to announce the temperature every hour or at selected intervals. An alarm can be set to warn of extreme temperatures and high and low temperatures can be stored on the unit. These thermometers are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems can ,contact them for more information or to receive a quote.

There are also various other types of these products which are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems, contact them to see what other types of these products they can supply.

Signature Guides

Signature Guides are ideal for persons who have trouble seeing where to sign important documents, like a cheque, receipts, or even your tax return. It is a simple tool that helps you to sign on the dotted line every time. Signature guides are typically made of cardboard or plastic and work by using a cutout space or raised lines to help you stay in place. These Guides are inexpensive and come in several sizes, so you can keep them in the places where you are most likely to use them, such as your home, office or wallet. When you're ready to sign, you just ask someone to put the window of the guide over the signature line, hold the guide in place, and sign in the area outlined by the window. Signature Guides are available in South Africa from organizations such as the South African National Council for the Blind & Blind SA who recently launched Mali-Bhala – a money counter and signature guide – in association with the Disability Rights Awareness Month.

Mali-Bhala: This locally created device comes in two standard sizes that are designed to fit either in a person’s wallet or pocket. It is used as an indicator to differentiate between the five South African ‘Mandela’ bank notes and as a signature guide. It gives thousands of blind and partially sighted individuals the independence of signing documents and counting money. The cost for a single Mali-Bhala is R20 or R35 for a double pack that includes both the pocket and wallet size devices. Blind SA strives to make assistive devices like this one more accessible and affordable to the blind community. For more information or enquiries on this device, please contact Blind SA through their website or Tel: 011 839 1793.

Talking & Braille Watches, Alarm Clocks, Etc.

Most people plan out there days based on the time of the day, they wake up at specific times, go to work and come home at specific times and eat meals at specific times. We therefore rely on devices such as Alarm Clocks, Watches, Clocks and Calendars, to be able to wake up, tell the time and date. Persons With Visual Impairments or who are Blind are no different, there are therefore a variety of different types of these Accessories which can assist Persons who are Blind or have Visual Impairments to be able to plan out there day and tell the time. These Accessories range from Braille Watches and Clocks to Talking Watches, Alarm Clocks and Calendars. Many of these products are available in South Africa and supplied by Organizations and Companies such as Edit Microsystems, they include some of the following products:

Alarm Clocks

Talking Alarm Clocks can assist Persons who are Blind or have Visual Impairments, to be able to tell the time and to be woken up. There are various different types of these products which are available in South Africa and are sold by Companies such as Edit Microsystems, who sell products such as the:

T21 Talking Alarm Clock with Spoken Temperature: This talking Alarm Clock (pictured right) is a compact unit with a clear LCD display that is back lit in green. The clear female voice speaks the time and the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. The talking Alarm Clock has a large button on the top which will activate the back lit display, the speech and the temperature. The alarm function has optional snooze and an hourly chime. Contact Edit Microsystems to find out more, or to purchase this product.

Dual Voice Single Button Clock: This small clock is ideal for carrying around in your pocket or in the carry case provided. The clock speaks the time, the day, the date and the year. Users can choose announcements to be made in either a male or female voice. The time can be spoken in either a 12 or 24 hour format and it also announces the time of day. i.e. ‘In the morning’. The daily alarm function has a choice of ten different alarm sounds. The volume is adjustable and the function buttons are recessed to prevent accidental changing of the settings. This product can therefore be used as both an Alarm Clock or a simple Clock which can be carried around with you. Contact Edit Microsystems to find out more or to purchase this product.

There are also various other types of these products which are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems, contact them to see what other types of these products they can supply.

Talking Calendar Alarm Clocks

Some Talking Alarm Clocks also include talking calendars, such as the following product that is sold by Edit Microsystems and is available in South Africa.

The Talking Calendar Alarm Clock: This Talking Calendar Alarm Clock (pictured right) is designed to be easy to use and quick to set. It comes with a removable cover that completely covers the buttons to protect them from accidental operations. The talking calendar alarm clock has a range of features which include: A full reporting of the day, date and time and selectable reporting styles i.e. “Two thirty pm” or “Half past two”.  A selectable hourly report and adjustable speech and alarm volumes are also available with a high speech quality. You can contact Edit Microsytems to find out more or to receive a quote.

There are also various other types of these products which are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems, contact them to see what other types of these products they can supply.

Braille Watches & Clocks

A Braille Watch is a portable timepiece used by Persons who are Blind, so that they are able to tell the time. It is used by touching the dial and noticing the embossments. Both analog and digital versions are available.

The analog versions have a protective glass or crystal cover that is flipped open when time needs to be read and the clock-hands are constructed to not be susceptible to movement at the mere touch of the finger which a blind person uses to observe their positions.

In the digital form, the dots (like braille script) keep changing position as time changes. To use this device you would  need to be able to understand the Braille alphabet to read the watch. Some of these watches are available from Organizations such as the South African National Council for the blind who stock the following two types of braille watches:

These Braille Watches: (pictured above right) have raised hour markers for a tactile reading of the time and are in a silver or gold finishing. You can contact South African National Council for the Blind to find out more or to receive a quote, or Contact Us if you have any questions.

Electronic talking watches, which speak the time at the touch of a button, are also popular among persons who are blind.

Talking Watches

A Talking Watch gives verbal announcement of the time using tiny voice chips that produce a synthesized, natural sounding speech. Most talking watches have a female voice, but watches with a male voice and dual voices have been introduced on the market and are gaining quick acceptance. There are a variety of different types and styles of these Talking Watches, which are sold in South Africa including the following watches which are sold by Edit Microsystems:

W23 Gents/Ladies Gold Talking Calendar Alarm Watch: This talking wrist watch (pictured right) is designed for ease of use as it speaks the time, the date and it has an alarm function. The first press of the single button reads the time out and the second press of the button announces the time in a clear, male voice. Pressing the recessed button together with the time button sets the watch functions, which means that the watch settings cannot be changed accidentally. The watch is available with either a brown or black strap or with a gold expanding bracelet strap. You can contact Edit Microsytems to find out more or to receive a quote.

W10 Talking Calendar Stopwatch Alarm: This talking watch speaks the time and the day in a clear female voice. The watch has a stainless steel case and a large digital display. Four separate alarm times can be set and the stopwatch speaks the elapsed time automatically although it can be programmed to speak on demand only. This talking watch has an optional hourly chime and the Case dimensions are 39mm (W) x 50mm (H) x 0.66 (Thick). This watch is powered by 1 x CR2016 Lithium battery which is included. You can contact Edit Microsytems to find out more or to receive a quote.

W15 Gents/Ladies Single Button Talking Wristwatch: This talking wristwatch speaks in a clear female voice and has been specifically designed for ease of use. By pressing a single button the talking wristwatch will speak the time. The buttons for the adjustment of the spoken time can be found on either side of the case and are recessed to prevent accidental operation. This talking wristwatch is available with either a leather strap or an expanding bracelet. In order to maintain simplicity this wristwatch does not have an alarm function or hourly report functions. You can contact Edit Microsytems to find out more or to receive a quote.

W16 Talking Large Faced Watches: These talking watches have a clear analogue face that measures 36mm in diameter. At the touch of a button the time and date is announced in a clear female voice. The watch has 3 alarm sounds, an optional hourly report and a count down function. You can choose to have the time reporting in a 12 or 24 hour clock format. The watch is available in either a silver casing with a black face and white hands and numbers, or a gold casing with a white face and black hands and numbers. The watches are available with a black or brown leather strap or with an expanding bracelet strap. You can contact Edit Microsytems to find out more or to receive a quote.

There are also various other types of these products which are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems, contact them to see what other types of these products they can supply.

Telephones

There are various different types of Telephones that make communication easier for Persons With Visual Impairments, these include various types of large button telephones as well as other types of phones including the Dect Photo Phone which is available in South Africa from companies such as Edit Microsystems.

The Dect Photo Phone: (pictured right) can be used as a regular cordless, big button phone, or as a photo phone. The 10 buttons on the base of the phone can be used as speed dial buttons and can include a picture of the recipient. This can assist those who have difficulty remembering commonly used phone numbers. Calls can be made using the regular keypad or by pressing the picture button. The phone book can store up to 50 names and numbers. The handset display is back lit in orange with an adjustable contrast. The unit is GAP (Generic Access Profile) compatible and can be paired with up to 4 different handsets. The volume on the phone is adjustable and has 5 different volume settings. The features include a call waiting indicator, 10 ringtones, hands free speaker and a redial option. You can contact Edit Microsytems to find out more or to receive a quote.

There are also various other types of these products which are available from companies such as Edit Microsystems and Sensory Solutions, contact them to see what other types of these products they can supply.

To view more information about these Assistive Devices and others, view the menu on the left or feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions about the products and Services listed on this page and we will point you in the right direction.

References