SINGAPORE -- 14 October 2003 -- Without the ability of seeing what is on the computer screen, how do visually handicapped people work on the computer?

Albert Toh, 45, visually handicapped since birth, has no problems. He types with all his fingers without missing a beat and taps to move curser from point to point across the screen.

Aided by a software, called "Window Eyes", which converts text to speech at a much faster speed than the average speaking voice, Albert is guided along by tapping the keyboard moving over icons and text.

As Head of Communications Department at the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), Albert is responsible for adding or deleting users and uploading new employee data into the Justlogin system, amongst many other duties. These two applications, eLeave and eAdmin are from a suite of 13 office collaborative applications from Justlogin, a local Application Service Provider (ASP).

SAVH is one of over 30 Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) that have subscribed to Justlogin’s ASP services, tapping on the VWO Capability Fund (VCF) administered by the National Council of Social Services.

However, without redesigning the application, visually handicapped people would not have been able to use the application, as "Window Eyes" cannot convert graphics to speech and that leaves a "blind" spot.

"For any application to be utilised by a visually handicapped person, it must be designed to make sure that there are no “blind” spots and that there must be a meaningful translation behind every icon," said Kwa Kim Chiong, CEO of Justlogin Pte. Ltd.

Justlogin’s suite of office collaborative applications can be configured to suit the needs of different organizations. By redesigning it for the visually handicapped, "Justlogin had taken the challenge and accommodated the needs of visually handicapped people," said Albert Toh. "More local content providers should make their applications more friendly," he added.

Technology has advanced in recent years where adaptive devices such as talking watches, clocks and calculators greatly aid visually handicapped people in their daily lives. More could be gainfully employed like Albert Toh if technology could be made more accessible through the purchase of computers and applications designed to meet their needs.