Slashdot Mirror
Laptops for the Disabled?
visionWhiteout asks: "I've been looking around a while for a laptop that would suit my special needs. I have a rare eye disorder known as achromatopsia which makes it nearly impossible to see a laptop screen in bright condititions. The ideal solution is a headset with a small screen near the eye, but the ones that I've seen (mostly on ThinkGeek) are a bit bulky. I'm not sure how many people remember it, but there was an old IBM commercial featuring a small voice activated PC that used a device like this. I was wondering if that, or anything similar has become available that I may have missed. Any other commentary is greatly appreciated."
This won't help much (sorry), but laptops are hard to see in bright light by the "normal" sighted. So, you're likely going to need a HMD (head mounted display). AFAIK, these are bulky, and sadly, expensive.
You could've hired me.
I don't know how practical this would end up being, but perhaps instead of spending any great sum of money on specialized equipment, perhaps you could find a way to cut down on the brightness of the surroundings that make seeing the screen hard for you. Perhaps some sort of special shielding built on the laptop, or modded there, like a visor of sorts. Perhaps some sort of tint for the screen of the laptop. I don't know the specifics of your condition. Perhaps you could get some sort of patio umbrella or similar device. In fact, perhaps you could just spend a minute more, to maybe get yourself out of the direct light; I assume you mean sunlight, not just the ominous glow of the florescent glow of the office. I hope this is of help, although it is just a list of money-saving alternatives. Good luck there.