Integrated communication aids for the blind

Digital signal processing has several and very interesting applications in the aids for disabled persons. In the case of communication aids for the blind the use of microcomputers and of signal processing techniques [e.g. voice synthesis, image processing and computer graphics] makes possible the production of integrated communication aids, using which the blind can exchange information, both character based or graphical, with sigthed persons. Two peripherals, designed for this purpose, are briefly described: a speech synthesizer for the Italian language with unrestricted dictionary and a plotter which is able to produce embossed drawings on normal printer paper. The use of these peripherals to solve the proposed problems is discussed, showing that a very important point in this application is the efficiency of the interaction software.