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NLS Reference Circulars

Introduction

The devices listed in this reference circular are designed to assist people who have visual impairments by magnifying objects and print or graphic materials. Before buying a magnification device, one should consult a low-vision specialist to determine the level of usable vision, the power of magnification needed for a particular eye condition and particular task, and to learn how to use the magnifier correctly. A student has different visual needs than a working-age adult or an older adult who may be retired. One may need a device for distance viewing to be able to drive, read characters on a blackboard, or enjoy a sports event. Other devices assist with activities such as close reading, performing detailed tasks, writing, and walking around.

The first two sections list available products and the third section gives the addresses and telephone numbers of the producers and vendors. Subsequent sections provide a selective list of books and journal articles related to low vision, describe evaluations of specific devices, and list selective Internet resources. Because prices are subject to change without notice, contact companies directly to verify current prices and product specifications. Visit the web site of companies to check for the availability of Internet specials, free demonstration software, and home trials.

Items listed in this reference circular are not part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program, and their listing does not imply endorsement.

Contents

Magnifiers

Magnifiers come in many weights and styles: attached to a handle or a neck cord, on a stand, or as a headset. Prices vary based on factors such as the material and strength of the lens and the type, if any, of illumination (battery, bulb, or light- emitting diode). The different types are described below. A low-vision specialist can provide detailed information and demonstrate how to use each one. A local rehabilitation facility or lighthouse for blind persons may have low-vision resources. The following selective companies, which sell a variety of magnifiers, should be contacted directly for a catalog. You may link to their address from the listing.

Bar Magnifier

Provides 2x magnification for one or two lines of type at a time. Measures 1-2 inches in width and comes in 5-1/4 inch and 12 inch lengths to cover the full line of most books. Lies flat directly on the reading material and the magnifier is moved down the page. May have feet to raise the magnifier a few inches above the material. Price range: $2-$34, $54 for a raised-bar magnifier.

Binocular Magnifier

Is worn around the head, such as the OptiVisor, either alone or over prescription or safety eyeglasses for closeup precision use. Features an adjustable headband and a flip-up frame to move the magnifier out of view.

Dome or Globe Magnifier

Has a spherical shape that can lie flat on a small reading surface or can be viewed vertically for activities such as threading a needle or reading a thermometer. Price range: $6-$105.

Fresnel Magnifier

Comes in a variety of sizes: bookmark, credit card, index card, and full page. May be framed or unframed and may be hand-held or attached to a stand that can sit on a table with an object underneath or be placed in front of a computer monitor. Price range: $7-$150.

Hand-Held Magnifier

Varies in quality from inexpensive models that can be purchased in a drugstore to high-quality, distortion-free instruments. Is useful for spot tasks such as reading a label on a medicine bottle or a telephone number, checking a stock listing or price tag, or consulting a map. Comes in nonilluminated and illuminated models and in round and rectangular shapes. Price range: $10-$120.

Neck or Pendant Magnifier

Magnifies 2x to 4x. Rests on a person's chest and is supported by an adjustable cord around the neck. Allows both hands to be free to hold reading material or to work on sewing or other tasks. Comes in nonilluminated and illuminated models. Price range: $10-$74.

Page Magnifier

Pocket Magnifier

May be housed in a hard plastic case that slides or snaps open and shut or in a soft cover that can be used as a handle. May come with two or more lenses that can be used singly or in combination. Comes in nonilluminated and illuminated models. Price range: $5-$90.

Stand Magnifier

Is set in a holder that is attached to small legs or other supports. Sits above a page in a frame that is fixed or at a tilt so it automatically maintains a consistent distance from the reading material and remains in focus even if the user has unsteady hands or tremors. Comes in nonilluminated and illuminated models. Price range: $28-$196

Magnifying Lamps

High-intensity lighting and magnifying lamps reduce glare to improve the viewing of close tasks.

Big Eye Magnifying Floor Lamp

Has an 18 inch gooseneck with an adjustable 5 inch lens attached to the shade.

Big Eye Magnifying Desk (Table) Lamp

Has a gooseneck with an adjustable 5 inch lens attached to the shade.

Big Eye Two-Arm Floor Lamp

Has a gooseneck with a lamp on an 18 inch flexible arm and a 5 inch diameter 2x lens on a separate 18 inch adjustable arm.

Big Eye Two-Arm Table Lamp

Has a gooseneck with a lamp on a 14 inch flexible arm 4 inchd a 5 inch diameter lens on a separate 18 inch adjustable arm.

Dazor Desk and Floor Magnifier Lamps (Dazor)

Have various powers of magnification with fluorescent, halogen, and incandescent light sources.

Giraffe Floor Lamp with Magnifier

Magnifies 2x. Adjusts from 2 to 7 feet in height. Has 30-inch-long gooseneck and cast iron base.

Luxo Desk and Floor Magnifier Lamps (Luxo)

Have various powers of magnification with fluorescent, halogen, and incandescent light sources.

Magnifying Lamp

Is attached around the head with Velcro, stands on the floor, or attaches to a desk, table, or chair, usually with an adjustable arm.

Screen Magnifiers

Screen magnifiers display the information on a computer or television screen in a variety of magnifications. The software programs are compatible with many word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.

Hardware

Compu-Lenz (Florida New Concepts)

Uses a Fresnel lens to enlarge character size up to 4x and reduces glare on the screen. Attaches to a personal computer.

Computer Screen Magnifier

Hangs on top of 14-17 inch or 17-19 inch monitors to magnify up to 2x.

Computer Screen Magnifier

Attaches with a self-adhesive strip to computer monitors with 12-15 inch screens. Enlarges images up to fifty percent.

EZ Magnifier (Less Gauss)

Magnifies up to 2.4x. Attaches to a monitor up to 17 inches with Velcro or Bungee.

GNK Magnifier (Less Gauss)

Provides up to 3x magnification on monitors from 12 inches to 19 inches. Lens is mounted on an oak base.

Japanese 2x Computer Screen Enlarger

Has weighted stand with rubber base and adjustable lens to magnify 2x.

Japanese Fresnel Stand Magnifier

Sits in front of a computer screen to magnify 2x.

Laptop Magnifier (Less Gauss)

Magnifies 2.2x. Has a hood that folds flat and fits over a monitor to reduce glare. Less Gauss, $105

Magic Window Magnifier

Magnifies up to 3x and works on monitors from 14 to 21 inches.

Magni-Filter or Magnifier Filter

Enlarges characters 2x. Fits laptop and 12-21 inch screens; price varies according to screen size. Has contour frame with tempered glass and is designed to cut glare.

Television Screen Enlarger

Magnifies up to 2x. Is an adjustable free-standing unit. Fits 12-33 inch screens.

Wrap Magnifier (Less Gauss)

Magnifies 1.5x. Slips onto 14-15 inch and 17 inch moniitors.

Software

Artic MAGNUM

Enlarges Windows 95 or 98 from 1x to 32x and enlarges DOS text from 1x to 8x.

BigShot Magnifier (Ai Squared)

Has twenty levels of magnification from 105 percent to 200 percent. Available to download in a trial version at <www.aisquared.com>.

GALILEO (Baum)

Is an independent program, but was developed especially for use with Baum's Virgo NT. Magnifies from 1x to 48x. Is compatible with any video card and any sound card. Can be used with or without speech.

inLARGE (ALVA Access Group)

Magnifies all or part of the screen of a Macintosh up to 16x. Available to download in a trial version at <www.aagi.com>.

LP-DOS and LP-Windows

Have DOS version to magnify text programs such as WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 and Windows version for Windows 3.1 and 95. Magnify up to 16x.

Lunar and Lunar Plus (Dolphin)

Work with Windows 95/98/Me or Windows 9x/Me/NT2000 to magnify 2x to 32x. Provide viewing modes to full screen, split screen, Window, or lens. Lunar Plus includes the multilingual Orpheus software speech synthesizer. Available to download in a trial version at <www.dolphinusa.com>.

MAGic (Freedom Scientific)

Magnifies from 2x to 16x in LP Windows. Uses magnification and speech together or independently. Comes in a model for Windows NT/2000 platform. Available to download in a trial version at <www.freedomscientific.com>.

MagniReader

Combines optical character recognition and speech. Scans a document into a computer and displays an image of the scanned page at different levels of magnification, highlighting text as it is spoken.

MAGNUM

ProVision32 (Biolink)

Works in Windows NT. Magnifies from 2x to 16x. Available to download in a trial version at <www.biolink.bc.ca/index.html>.

VisAbility (Ai Squared)

Magnifies from 1x to 32x and prints at magnifications up to 8x. Can display the image full-screen or in a window. Available to download in a trial version at <www.aisquared.com>.

ZoomText and ZoomText Xtra (Ai Squared)

Magnify from 2x to 16x in a variety of fonts. Come in a DOS and Windows version. ZoomText Xtra includes DocReader, a software-generated speech module. Available to download in a trial version at <www.aisquared.com>.

Closed-Circuit Television and Enhanced Vision Systems

Closed-circuit television systems or video magnifiers enlarge print and graphic materials electronically onto a monitor screen. The major components are a camera with zoom lens and a light source, a monitor or television screen, and a viewing table. The camera, which is either color or black and white, can vary the amount of magnification, be adjusted for brightness and contrast, and reverse the image from black text on a white background (positive image or polarity) to white text on a black background (negative image or polarity). The camera may be mounted on a fixed stand or, in a portable system, held in the hand. The stand-mounted camera requires placing the object to be magnified under the camera and moving it in a horizontal or vertical direction. It is also effective for handwriting. The monitor screen varies in size from 4 inches to 24 inches; larger monitor screens provide higher magnification.

Aladdin Black-and-White CCTV (Telesensory)

Comes in different models: Aladdin Companion magnifies from 2.8x to 17.5x on a 9 inch screen, Aladdin Classic magnifies from 4x to 25x on a 14 inch screen, Aladdin Pro 75 from 4.5x to 50x on a 14 inch screen, and Aladdin Ultra and Ultra Pro 75 from 5.4x to 60x on a 17 inch screen. Displays images in black on white background or white on black background. Can connect the Aladdin Companion to a larger monitor for greater magnification.

Aladdin Color CCTV (Telesensory)

Comes in different models: Aladdin Rainbow and Rainbow Pro magnify from 4.5x to 50x on a 14 inch color screen and Aladdin Genie Pro magnifies from 5.5x to 50x on a 17 inch color screen. Can select several background and foreground color combinations, including black text on white or white text on black.

Andromeda (Freedom Vision)

Magnifies from 3x to 30x in color, black and white, white on black, or foreground-background color displays. Is a 15 inch portable-desktop-video magnifier with flat screen and auto focus.

Atlas Series (Telesensory)

Comes in different models: Atlas 600 magnifies from 6.5x to 58x on a 20 inch monitor, Atlas 610 magnifies from 4x to 40x on a 20 inch monitor, and Atlas 700 magnifies from 5.5x to 50x on a 17 inch monitor and connects to any size SVGA or VGA computer monitor.

ClarityAF Discovery (Clarity)

Magnifies from 4x to 60x and has autofocus. Comes in two models: Discovery is for video monitors and has color and black-and-white options; Discovery Plus, in color, is for computer monitors and has a foot pedal to switch between a computer and a video magnifier.

ClarityAF Flex (Clarity)

Magnifies from 4x to 60x on a 20 inch monitor for desktop viewing. Has autofocus and a movable arm. Comes in Classmate and Travelmate models that offer desktop viewing and 24x magnification for distance or blackboard viewing.

ClearView Video Magnifier (Optelec)

Offers a variety of black-and-white and color models. Features may include instant focus, one-touch zoom, line markers and windowing to help guide reading, and alternate color selections.

Eezee Reader

Magnifies 1-5/8 inches on a 9 inch monitor to 2-7/8 inches on a 26 inch monitor. Connects to a black-and-white or color television set. Allows viewing black letters on a white background or white letters on a black background.

Explorer

Eye Quest CCTV

Comes in two models: 14 inch black-and-white screen magnifies from 4x to 45x and 20 inch black-and-white screen from 5x to 60x.

Flipper (Enhanced Vision Systems)

Magnifies from 6x to 30x for near viewing and from 1x to 12x for distance viewing. Connects to a television or monitor. Has autofocus and color. Contact EVS at 800-440-9476 for a local distributor or a company below.

Flipperport (Enhanced Vision Systems)

Magnifies from 6x to 30x for near viewing and from 1x to 12x for distance viewing. Comes with a camera (Flipper) to be used with glasses equipped with built-in screens to display the magnified image. Contact EVS at 800-440-9476 for a local distributor or a company below.

Freedom Machines (Vision Technology)

Magnify from 2x to 120x on a 14 inch screen and from 3x to 165x on a 20 inch screen. Come in black-and-white and color table-top models with autofocus and in black- and-white and color hand-held models. Can connect to a personal computer with the Link ($1,695-$2,795).

Jordy (Enhanced Vision Systems)

Magnifies up to 30x when worn like a pair of glasses and up to 50x when used as a desktop closed-circuit television, which has full color with autofocus and a battery-operated system. Contact EVS at 800-440-9476 for a local distributor or a company below.

Liberty Color (Freedom Vision)

Magnifies from 7x to 14x on the 7 inch color flat screen that is included and connects to a larger monitor for higher magnification. Has a handheld camera on rollers.

Liberty Plus (Freedom Vision)

Magnifies from 8x to 16x using a continuous zoom lens or up to 64x using a digital magnification feature. Comes with a 10.4 inch monitor that displays black on white, white on black, and ten other background combinations. Can be connected to a 14, 17, or 21 inch VGA computer monitor.

Magni-Cam (Innoventions)

Magnifies up to 26x on a 13 inch screen and up to 70x on a 35 inch screen. Can vary the magnification by lowering or raising the handheld camera from the reading material. Comes in a black-and-white unit and in color (Magni-Cam Triad). Connects to a television or computer monitor.

Magnilink Electronic Magnifier

Comes in different models: 14 inch black-and-whi4 inch or color monitor and 17 inch color monitor. Features black on white and reverse imaging and may include autofocus. Magnilink Colibri Split allows the viewing of both the camera image and computer on the same screen at the same time.

MagniSight Explorer (MagniSight)

Offers a variety of black-and-white and color video magnifiers with or without a monitor. Magnifies up to 45x on a 14 inch screen, up to 60x on a 20 inch screen, and up to 85x on a 25 inch screen. Features may include instant focus, one-touch zoom, line markers and windowing to help guide reading, and alternate color selections. Comes in a PC model for alternating between CCTV and computer images.

MagniSight Mini-Camera (MagniSight)

Magnifies up to 50x with a 19 inch screen. Includes a clamp arm and weighted base for hands-free viewing. Does not include monitor.

MagniSight Mini-Reader (MagniSight)

Has a 6 inch monitor that magnifies up to 15x. Comes with accessories for television hookup to magnify up to 50x with a 19 inch screen. Includes a clamp arm and weighted base for hands-free viewing.

Max (Enhanced Vision Systems)

Magnifies from 16x to 28x on one's own 20 inch black-and-white or color television screen or computer monitor. Works on flat and curved surfaces. Contact EVS at 800-440-9476 for a local distributor or a company below.

Max-Eye

Has a camera in a handheld portable unit that reads the image beneath it and displays it on a 3-1/2 x 7 inch screen. Magnifies in 6x or 13x. Operates on 110v with a battery pack sold separately ($495).

MaxPort (Enhanced Vision Systems)

Magnifies up to 28x. Consists of a digital magnifier (Max), glasses to see the magnified image, and a control unit in a self-contained battery-operated system. Includes MaxTrak to guide reading straight across a page. Contact EVS at 800-440-9476 for a local distributor or a company below.

Merlin (Enhanced Vision Systems)

Magnifies from 4x to 50x on a 14 inch color monitor. Has autofocus and can be voice activated. $1,995. Contact EVS at 800-440-9476 for a local distributor.

MiniViewer

Magnifies 5x, 10x, and 15x in color or black and white in a handheld unit.

My Travel Mouse

Magnifies from 7x to 10x. Can plug into a larger monitor for higher magnification. Has batteries that last up to ten hours and the option of a rechargeable battery pack.

OVAC Color-Eye and Golden-Eye (OVAC)

Magnify from 4.9x to 17x on a 7 inch television screen, from 9x to 32x on a 13 inch screen, and from 14x to 49x on a 20 inch screen. Connect to a television or VCR. Can be used with OVAC Flexarm for hands-free operation.

OVAC Flex-Eye, Zoom-Eye, and Zoom-Flex (OVAC)

Feature different ranges of magnification: Flex-Eye magnifies up to 10x on a 13 inch screen, up to 15x on a 20 inch screen, and up to 20x on a 26 inch screen; Zoom-Eye magnifies up to 12x on a 13 inch screen, up to 18x on a 20 inch screen, and up to 24x on a 26 inch screen; and Zoom-Flex, which allows both far and near viewing, magnifies up to 22x on a 13 inch screen, up to 34x on a 20 inch screen, and up to 44x on a 26 inch screen.

OVAC Pro Zoomer (OVAC)

Magnifies from 2x to 40x on a 13 inch screen, from 3x to 60x on a 20 inch screen, and from 4x to 80x on a 26 inch screen. Offers positive and negative viewing.

OVAC Zacc (OVAC)

Magnifies from 2.2x to 69x on a 20 inch television or monitor. Provides a desktop unit in color or black and white with autofocus and zooming.

Portable CCTV

Magnifies up to 49x on a 20 inch screen. Requires a video-in jack of a television.

PRIMER Electronic Magnifier (Innoventions)

Magnifies from 8x to 15x on one's own 20 inch television monitor. Displays images in black on white and white on black.

Prisma (Freedom Vision)

Magnifies from 4x to 35x on a 14 inch monitor and f4 inchm 6x to 53x on a 20 inch monitor in color, white on black, or black on white. Requires a television or computer monitor. Collapses for travel or storage.

Reizen Vision CCTV System

Offers a variety of black-and-white and color video magnifiers with or without a 14, 20, or 25 inch monitor.

Scan and View (Premier Programming)

Allows a portable scanner to act like a closed-circuit television. Magnifies up to 24x and views images in color or black and white. Available to download in a trial version at <www.premier-programming.com>.

ScreenLens™ Magnifier

Magnifies from 3x to 13x on a 6.4 inch internal scre4 inch or up to 40x on an external 19 inch monitor or television screen. Has clamp-on arm for hands-free viewing.

See-More Simplicity CCTV

Offers a variety of black-and-white and color video magnifiers with a 14, 20, or 25 inch monitor.

Seewell Reading Enhancer (S. Walters)

Magnifies from 6x to 50x on a 19 inch monitor. Can be used with any size television, black and white or color, and with flat or curved surfaces.

SmartView Electronic Magnifier (Pulse Data)

Offers a variety of black-and-white and color video magnifiers. Features may include instant focus, one-touch zoom, line markers and windowing to help guide reading, and alternate color selections.

Tagarno Gemini and School-Gemini (Tagarno)

Magnify from 2x to 30x on a 17 inch monitor in black and white and color. Have autofocus. Can switch between working on a computer and the reading machine. School-Gemini has a split-screen function using a two-camera system to allow reading text under the reading unit and on the blackboard at the same time.

Tagarno Mini-CCD and Color-CCD (Tagarno)

Magnify from 3x to 30x on a 15 inch black-and-white monitor and up to 35x on a 17 inch color monitor.

VideoEye

Magnifies up to 25x on a 27 inch monitor with the standard system, up to 50x on a 27 inch monitor with the Millennium and Power Zoom VideoEye, and up to 100x with the Millennium II VideoEye. Comes in black and white and color and with automatic focus.

VisAble Video Telescope (Betacom)

Magnifies up to 40x. Is a handheld unit to use as a telescope for distance and mid-range tasks such as recognizing faces and as a magnifier for close reading. Has color, autofocus, and low-light compensation.

Visionary Reader (Beyond Sight)

Comes with a 14, 20, or 25 inch screen in color or black and white. Has options such as line marking, selectable screen colors, and autofocus.

Zoom Color (Freedom Vision)

Magnifies from 10x to 20x on a 14 inch monitor and from 15x to 30x on a 20 inch monitor. Connects to any standard television or VCR.

Addresses of Sources

AccessAbility, Inc.
175 Mason Circle
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 681-4636
888-322-7200
(925) 681-4630 fax
info@4access.com
www.4access.com

Adaptive Technology Consulting, Inc.
P.O. Box 778
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 462-3817
(978) 462-3928 fax
gyarnall@adaptivetech.net
www.adaptivetech.net

Ai Squared
P.O. Box 669
Manchester Center, VT 05255
(802) 362-3612
(802) 362-1670 fax
sales@aisquared.com
www.aisquared.com

Allied Technologies, Inc.
11440 Lakeland Drive, Suite 101
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 425-8660
800-267-5350
(763) 425-9889 fax
webmaster@alliedtec.com
www.alliedtec.com

ALVA Access Group, Inc.
436 14^th Street, Suite 700
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 451-2582 (ALVA)
888-318-2582 (ALVA)
(510) 451-0879 TTY
(510) 451-0878 fax
info@aagi.com
www.aagi.com

Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc.
551 Hosner Mountain Road
Stormville, NY 12582-5329
(845) 227-9659
800-454-3175
(845) 226-2793 fax
annmor@webspan.net
www.annmorris.com

Artic Technologies
1000 John R. Road, Suite 108
Troy, MI 48083
(248) 588-7370
(248) 588-2650 fax
info@artictech.com
www.artictech.com

Bartimaeus Group
1481 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 100
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 442-5023
(703) 734-8381 fax
adapt2c@bartsite.com
www.bartsite.com

Baum Retec AG
Schloss Langenzell
69257 Wiesenbach
GERMANY
49-6223-4909-0
49-6223-4909-99 fax
info@baum.de
www.baum.de

Bausch & Lomb Vision Care
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
1400 North Goodman Street
P.O. Box 450
Rochester, NY 14603-0450
(585) 338-6000
800-553-5340
(585) 338-6896 fax
www.bausch.com

Betacom
450 Matheson Boulevard East
Suite 67
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1R5
CANADA
(905) 568-9977
800-353-1107
(905) 568-9925 fax
info@betacom.com
www.betacom.com

Beyond Sight, Inc.
5650 South Windermere Street
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 795-6455
(303) 795-6425 fax
bsistore@beyondsight.com
www.beyondsight.com

Biolink Computer Research and Development Ltd.
4770 Glenwood Avenue
North Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V7R 4G8
(604) 984-4099
(604) 985-7114 fax
sales@biolink.bc.ca
www.biolink.bc.ca

Bossert Specialties, Inc.
P.O. Box 15441
Phoenix, AZ 85060
(602) 956-6637
800-776-5885
(602) 956-1008 fax
magnify@wemagnify.com
www.wemagnify.com

Boyd Enterprises
P.O. Box 566
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 892-4470
800-438-0149
(704) 892-9940 fax
www.frankboydenterprises.com

BUGZ-EYE International Corporation
150 Tejon Street
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 777-6432
888-284-7393 (BUGSEYE)
(303) 777-9056 fax
bugzeye1@cs.com
www.bugzeyemagnifier.com

C Tech
2 North William Street
Pearl River, NY 10965-9998
(845) 735-7907
800-228-7798
(845) 735-0513 fax
info@lowvisionproducts.com
www.lowvisionproducts.com

Carolyn's Low Vision Products
1415 57th Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34207
(941) 739-5555
800-648-2266
(941) 739-5503 fax
carolynslowvision@hotmail.com

Clarity Solutions
320B Tesconi Circle
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 526-9204
800-575-1456
(707) 526-3554 fax
clarity@clarityaf.com
www.clarityaf.com

Dazor Manufacturing Corporation
4483 Duncan Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 652-2400
800-345-9103
(314) 652-2069 fax
info@dazor.com
www.dazor.com

Disability Specialtys
802 South Drew Street
Saint Albans, WV 25177
(304) 722-1183
888-892-7878
(304) 722-1184 fax
isable@newwave.net
disabilityspecialtys.com

Dolphin Computer Access
60 East Third Avenue, Suite 130
Mateo, CA 94401
866-797-5921
(650) 348-7403 fax
info@dolphinusa.com
www.dolphinusa.com

Donegan Optical Company
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
P.O. Box 14308
Lenexa, KS 66285-4308
(913) 492-2500
(913) 492-2503 fax
info@doneganoptical.com
www.doneganoptical.com

Edmund Scientific
69 Pearce Avenue
Tonawanda, NY 14150-6711
(716) 874-9091
800-728-6999
800-828-3299 fax
scientifics@edsci.com
www.scientificsonline.com

Electronic Vision Access Solutions
39 Canal Street
P.O. Box 371
Westerly, RI 02891
(401) 596-3155
800-872-3827 (USA-EVAS)
(401) 596-3979 fax
(401) 596-3500 TTY
contact@evas.com
www.evas.com

Enabling Technologies
1601 Northeast Braille Place
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
(772) 225-3687 (DOTS)
(772) 225-3299
800-777-3687 (DOTS)
enabling@brailler.com
www.brailler.com

Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS)
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
17911 Sampson Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
800-440-9476
(714) 374-1821 fax
sales@enhancedvision.com
www.enhancedvision.com

Envision Technology, Inc.
4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 220
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-3568
800-582-5051
(301) 652-1761 fax
vsteis@aol.com
www.envisiontechnology.org

Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc.
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
904 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT 06877
800-487-5389
info@eschenbach.com
www.eschenbach.com

EZC
19283 Flat Iron Road
Valley Lee, MD 20692
(301) 994-1598
888-535-2628
ezc@dbmarine.com
www.tqci.net/~ezc/page2.html

Florida New Concepts Marketing
P.O. Box 261
Port Richey, FL 34673-0261
(727) 842-3231 voice and fax
compulnz@gte.net
www.gulfside.com/compulenz/

Freedom Scientific
Blind/Low Vision Group
11800 31^st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
(727) 803-8000
800-444-4443
(727) 803-8001 fax
Info@FreedomScientific.com
www.freedomscientific.com

Freedom Vision
615 Tami Way
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 961-6541
800-961-1334
(650) 968-4740 fax
info@freedomvision.net
www.freedomvision.net

HumanWare, Inc.
See: Pulse Data HumanWare

Image Marketing Corporation
1636 North 24th Street
Mesa, AZ 85213-3402
(480) 969-7032
800-466-7032
(408) 969-0939 fax
info@image4u.com
www.image4u.com

Independent Living Aids, Inc.
200 Robbins Lane
Jericho, NY 11753-2341
(516) 752-8080
800-537-2118
(516) 501-6948 TTY
(516) 752-3135 fax
can-do@independentliving.com
www.independentliving.com

Innoventions, Inc.
5921 South Middlefield Road
Suite 102
Littleton, CO 80123-2877
(303) 797-6554
800-854-6554
(303) 727-4940 fax
magnicam@magnicam.com
www.magnicam.com

JP Manufacturing, Inc.
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
13 Lovely Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508) 764-2538
(508) 765-1312 fax
info@jpmfg.com
www.jpmfg.com

Keyboard Alternatives and Vision Solutions, Inc.
537 College Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 544-8000
800-953-9262
(707) 522-1343 fax
keyalt@keyalt.com
www.keyalt.com

Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc.
14 Crosby Drive
Bedford, MA 01730-1402
(781) 276-6000
800-894-5374
(781) 276-0650 fax
info@kurzweiledu.com
www.kurzweiledu.com

Less Gauss, Inc.
P.O. Box 2019, 1164 Route 9G
Hyde Park, NY 12538
(845) 229-1700
877-828-4817
(845) 229-1715 fax
magniart@usadatanet.net
www.lessgauss.com

Lighting Specialties Company
735 Hastings Lane
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-6906
(847) 215-2000
800-214-4522
(847) 215-2002, 800-229-9175 fax
info@lightspc.com
www.lightspc.com

LS&S, LLC
P.O. Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
(847) 498-9777
800-468-4789
800-317-8533 TTY
(847) 498-1482 fax
info@LSSonline.net
www.lssonline.net

Luxo Corporation
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
36 Midland Avenue
Port Chester, NY 10573
800-222-5896 (LUXO)
800-648-2978 fax
office@luxous.com
www.luxous.com

MagniSight, Inc.
3360 Adobe Court
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719) 578-8893
800-753-4767
(719) 578-9887 fax
sales@magnisight.com
www.magnisight.com

Maxi-Aids
42 Executive Boulevard
P.O. Box 3209
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 752-0521
800-522-6294
(631) 752-0689 fax
(631) 752-0738 TTY
sales@maxiaids.com
www.maxiaids.com

Mons International, Inc.
6595 Roswell Road NE, #224
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 551-8455
800-541-7903
(770) 551-8460 fax
mons@negia.net
www.magnifiers.com

National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 West 21st Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-3141
(212) 727-2931 fax
staff@navh.org
www.navh.org

Optelec
6 Lyberty Way
Westford, MA 01886
(978) 392-0707
800-766-7796
800-958-3399 fax
info@optelec.com
www.optelec.com

OVAC, Inc.
67-555 East Palm Canyon Drive
Unit C-103
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 321-9220
800-325-4488
(760) 321-9711 fax
info@ovac.com
www.ovac.com

Phillips Magnification
P.O. Box 438319
Chicago, IL 60643-8319
(773) 881-8581
800-982-0226
(773) 881-4843 fax
magnifiers@aol.com
www.goodegg.net/ phillipsmagnification

Premier Programming Solutions
12800 Escanaba Drive, Suite D
Dewitt, MI 48820
(517) 668-8188
(517) 668-2417 fax
info@readingmadeeasy.com
www.premier-programming.com

Pulse Data HumanWare
175 Mason Circle
Concord, CA 94520
800-722-3393
(925) 681-4630 fax
USA@pulsedata.com
www.pulsedata.com
www.humanware.com

S. Walters, Inc.
30423 Canwood Street, Suite 115
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 706-2202
800-992-5837
(818) 706-2206, 888-549-1843 fax
walterslv@cs.com
www.walterslowvision.com

Sammons Preston
P.O. Box 5071
Bolingbrook, IL 60440-5071
800-323-5547
800-547-4333 fax
800-325-1745 TTY
sp@sammonspreston.com
www.sammonspreston.com

Sighted Electronics, Inc.
69 Woodland Avenue
Westwood, NJ 07675
(201) 666-2221
800-666-4883
(201) 666-0159 fax
sales@sighted.com
www.sighted.com

Spalding Magnifiers & Low Vision
13150 FM 529, Suite 118
Houston, TX 77041
(713) 466-3113
888-855-8666
(713) 466-4615 fax

Swift Instruments, Inc.
(manufacturer, no direct sales)
952 Dorchester Avenue
Boston, MA 02125
800-446-1116
www.swift-optics.com

Tagarno of America, Inc.
615 Otis Drive
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 734-9630
800-441-8439 or 888-683-8439
(302) 734-9654 fax
info@tagarno.com
www.tagarno.com

Technologies for the Visually Impaired
9 Nolan Court
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 724-4479 voice and fax
contact@tvi-web.com
www.tvi-web.com

Telesensory Corporation
520 Almanor Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
(408) 616-8700
800-804-8004
(408) 616-8720 fax
info@telesensory.com
www.telesensory.com

VideoEye Corporation
10211 West Emerald Street
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 323-9577
800-416-0758
(208) 377-1528 fax
info@videoeyecorp.com
www.videoeyecorp.com

Vision Technology
8501 Delport Drive
St. Louis, MO 63114-5905
(314) 890-8300
800-560-7226
(314) 890-8383 fax
vti@visiontechinc.com
www.visiontechinc.com

Selective Bibliography

General

AccessWorld. Bimonthly. $39.95, $34.95 online. Available online at <www.afb.org/accessworld.asp>, in large print and braille, and on cassette and ASCII disk. AFB Press, P.O. Box 1020, Sewickley, PA 15143-1020.

American Foundation for the Blind. Directory of services for blind and visually impaired persons in the United States and Canada. 26th ed. New York: 2001. Also available by online subscription at <www.afb.org/services.asp>.

Aunspach, Daniel A. "Screen enlargement and computer access for persons with visual impairments." Closing the Gap, April-May 1995. Also on the Internet at <www.closingthegap.com/cgi-bin/lib/libDsply.pl?a=1101&b=6&c=1>.

"BLIST: the comprehensive index of blindness-related e-mailing lists." Retrieved Sept. 12, 2001. <www.hicom.net/~oedipus/blist.html>.

Cassel, Gary H., Michael D. Billig, and Harry G. Randall. The eye book: a complete guide to eye disorders and health. Large print ed. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998. 572p.

Chapman, Bill. Coping with vision loss: maximizing what you can see and do. Alameda, CA: Hunter House, 2001. 282p.

Closing the Gap. "Resource directory: a guide to the latest computer-related products for children and adults with special needs." Closing the Gap, v. 20, Feb.-Mar. 2002: 1-182 (entire issue). Also on the Internet at <www.closingthegap.net/ctg/ctgpro/resourcedirectory/index.html>.

"Creating a comfortable environment for people with low vision." <www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=196>.

Flax, Marshall E., Don J. Golembiewski, and Bette L. McCaulley. "Optical aids." In Flax, Marshall E., Don J. Golembiewski, and Bette L. McCaulley. Coping with vision loss. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, 1993. p. 67-89.

Jahoda, Gerald. How do I do this when I can't see what I'm doing? Washington: Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1993. 98p.

Leibs, Andrew. A field guide for the sight-impaired reader: a comprehensive resource for students, teachers, and librarians. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. 247p.

Le Jeune, B.J. "Things I never knew until I married someone with low vision." RE:view, v. 33, summer 2001: 55-62.

The Lighthouse national survey on vision loss: the experience, attitudes, and knowledge of middle-aged and older Americans. "Executive summary." New York, 1995. 24p. Also on the Internet at <www.lighthouse.org/pubs_ lhsurvey_purpose.htm>.

Living with low vision: a resource guide for people with sight loss. 6th ed. Lexington, MA: Resources for Rehabilitation, 2001.

Low vision defined: a guide to the major causes of vision loss and what can be done to improve functional vision. New York: Lighthouse International, 2000. Also on the Internet at <www.lighthouse.org/low_vision_defined.htm>.

Low vision resource guide. Sunnyvale, CA: Telesensory Corporation, 2000. 31p. Free.

Mogk, Lylas G., and Marja Mogk. "Making things bigger: magnifiers." In: Mogk, Lylas G., and Marja Mogk. Macular degeneration: the complete guide to saving and maximizing your sight. New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1999. p. 283-314.

Neer, Frances Lief. Dancing in the dark. San Francisco, CA: Wildstar Publishing, 1994. 114p.

Neer, Frances Lief. Perceiving the elephant: living creatively with loss of vision. Berkeley, CA: Creative Arts Book Company, 1998. 218p.

Peck, Alec F., and Mark M. Uslan. "How closed-circuit-television users develop computer vision syndrome." AccessWorld, v. 2, July 2001: 33-34, 36-38, 40.

Rosenthal, Bruce P., and Douglas R. Williams. "Devices primarily for people with low vision." In: The Lighthouse handbook on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Editors in Chief Barbara Silverstone and others. v. 2: "Vision rehabilitation." New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. p. 951-981.

Townsend, William. "What's new and improved in low vision devices?" Review of optometry, v. 138, Sept. 15, 2001: 61-64, 66-67.

"What you should know about vision loss." NIH Publication no. 99-4672. Bethesda, MD: National Eye Institute, n.d. 20p. Also on the Internet at <www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/what.htm>.

Zimmerman, George J. "Optics and low vision devices." In: Foundations of low vision: clinical and functional perspectives. Anne L. Corn and Alan J. Koenig, editors. New York: AFB Press, 1996. p. 115-142.

Product Evaluations

Dusling, Kevin, and Mark M. Uslan. "Choosing a screen magnifier.' AccessWorld, v. 2, Nov. 2001: 12-20 and v. 3, Jan. 2002: 12-16.

Gerritsen, Bryan. "Illuminating thoughts on popular low vision task lamps." AccessWorld, v. 2, Sept. 2001: 19-25.

Hsu, Chen-Yung, and Mark M. Uslan. "Ai Squared's ZoomText Xtra for Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0." AccessWorld, v. 1, Jan. 2000: 11, 13-18.

Hsu, Chen-Yung, and Mark M. Uslan. "Dolphin's LunarPlus version 4.01 for Windows 95/98/NT." AccessWorld, v. 1, May 2000: 19-24, 26-27.

Hsu, Chen-Yung, and Mark M. Uslan. "A review of Telesensory's Aladdin Genie Pro color video magnifier." Journal of visual impairment and blindness, v. 93, Sept. 1999: 596-598.

Hsu, Chen-Yung, and Mark M. Uslan. "When is a little magnification enough? A review of Microsoft Magnifier." AccessWorld, v. 1, July 2000: 9-14.

Uslan, Mark M. "Choosing the right screen magnification program." <www.csun.edu/cod/conf2000/proceedings/0043Uslan.html>.

Uslan, Mark M. "A review of Pulse Data's Smartview series color video magnifiers." Journal of visual impairment and blindness, v. 93, July 1999: 457-459.

Uslan, Mark M., and Gary Chan. "Optelec's ClearView 700 video magnifier for use with computers." AccessWorld, v. 1, Mar. 2000: 14, 16-22. Abridged in Journal of visual impairment and blindness, v. 94, Mar. 2000: 183.

Uslan, Mark M., and Gary Chan. "A review of Vision Technology's Vision Excel color video magnifier with computer link." Journal of visual impairment and blindness, v. 93, Nov. 1999: 733-735.

Uslan, Mark M., and Ike Presley. "Portable video magnifiers in museums." AccessWorld, v. 3, Mar. 2002: 33-42.

Uslan, Mark M., and Joseph C. Su. "Evaluating and selecting a Windows-based screen magnifier." Closing the Gap, v. 18, April-May 1999: 1, 8-9, 31. Also on the Internet at <www.closingthegap.com/cgi-bin/lib/libDsply.pl?a=1161& b=1&c=1>.

Uslan, Mark M., and Joseph C. Su. "A review of CLARITYAF video magnifiers." Journal of visual impairment and blindness, v. 93, May 1999: 325-326, 328.

Uslan, Mark M., Chen-Yung Hsu, and Gary Chan. "Is technology improving? Revisiting four video magnifiers." AccessWorld, v. 1, Nov. 2000: 14-21. Abridged in Journal of visual impairment and blindness, v. 95, Feb. 2001: 119-120.

Uslan, Mark M., Joseph C. Su, and Chen-Yung Hsu. "Henter-Joyce's MAGIC for Windows NT. " AccessWorld, preview issue: 6-11.

Selective Internet Resources

All about Vision

www.allaboutvision.com/

Has information on low vision, eyeglasses, LASIK and laser eye surgery, contact lenses, and eye health.

American Optometric Association: Eye Conditions and Concerns

www.aoanet.org/conditions/

Provides information on eye conditions and diseases, children's vision, low vision, and contact lenses.

Ask NOAH (NY Online Access to Health) About: The Eye

www.noah-health.org/english/illness/eye/eye.html

Has links to eye health and eye problems, eye doctors and hospitals, vision correction, living with low vision, and eye organizations.

CCTV Information Page

www.tsbvi.edu/technology/cctv.htm

Compiled by the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Presents basic and advanced features and types of CCTVs, links to manufacturers, information links, and questions for choosing CCTVs.

Directory of Low Vision Services

www.eyesearch.com/low.vision.services.htm

Maintains a database of low-vision specialists that can be searched by city and state and lists selective organizations that provide general information, braille and audio materials, and employment information.

Eye Resources on the Internet

webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/websites/eyeres.htm

Compiled for the Association of Vision Science Librarians. Has links to eye organizations and diseases, university ophthalmology centers, organizations with products and services, online journals, and chat rooms.

Large Print and Low Vision Resource Network

www.large-print.net/

Provides links to low-vision sites and a directory of products and services for people with low vision.

Low Vision Gateway

www.lowvision.org/

Includes links to low vision specialists and assistive devices, eye diseases and conditions, organizations assisting persons who are visually impaired, children and educational issues, and driving with low vision.

Low Vision Information Center

www.lowvisioninfo.org/

Located in Bethesda, Md. Offers information on lighting, optical aids, and causes of and living with low vision. Has an online newsletter.

Low Vision Resources

www.nyise.org/lowvision.htm

Has links to producers and distributors of CCTVs, electronic reading technology, magnification aids, and print-enhancing software. Includes information on living with low vision and Windows access.

LVRGNet, the Low-Vision Research Group Network

www.varrd.emory.edu/LVRGNET/index.html

Has links to recent and ongoing research in low vision and general information and resources on eye diseases and services.

Magnification Programs for the Computer Screen

www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=1387

Compiled by the American Foundation for the Blind. Provides a description and sources of screen magnification programs.

National Association for Visually Handicapped

www.navh.org/

Has links to membership information, its large-print newsletter, organizations for persons with low vision, and low-vision aids store.

National Eye Institute. National Eye Health Education Program: Low Vision Education Program

www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/lowvis.htm

Has educational booklets available in English and Spanish, public service campaigns, and a low-vision traveling exhibit.

Prevent Blindness America

www.preventblindness.org/

Has information on low vision and specific eye problems, children's eye problems, eye safety, a newsletter, and Web forum.

Sources of Closed-Circuit Televisions

www.nfb.org/tech/cctvs1.htm

Compiled by the National Federation of the Blind. Lists companies that produce or distribute closed circuit televisions.

Video Magnifiers

www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=221

Compiled by the American Foundation for the Blind. Provides a description and sources of video magnifiers or closed-circuit television systems.

Compiled by
Carol Strauss
Reference Section
February 2002

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Posted on 2010-08-25