When they input text, they look at what they have written to be sure that the words make sense and are spelled correctly. When outputting, they print their work in the same writing system used by most of their readers. Lacking visual feedback, writers who are visually impaired frequently use alternative means of displaying text which rely on other senses. The attached chart highlights some of the ways assistive technologies use Braille, speech, and magnification to assist visually impaired writers as they input, monitor, and output text. Students who are visually impaired primarily input text by keyboarding.
Monitoring presents a greater challenge for visually impaired writers.
Both Rebeka and Angie benefit from synthesized speech which provides them with immediate auditory feedback, both as the text is entered and after it is written. Such tactile displays allow users to reread immediately what they have written. Students who read Braille need ways to output text in both print and Braille formats. Braille translation software is sometimes needed in conjunction with a Braille Printer. For example, Angie's Braille 'N Speak combines Braille input and output capability with on-line speech feedback.