Introduction and

BASIC TRAINING ON COMPUTER

for
the visually handicapped

*******

By

Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran

KARNA VIDYA LIBRARY

“Padmanabha View”
Old No: 9 / New No: 17
2nd Main Road, Gandhinagar
CHENNAI – 600 020
Preface:

This booklet is a beginner’s guide to teach the Computer, to the visually

handicapped students and facilitate them to learn the programs.
Once they successfully complete the basic program they can pursue the
Advanced programs, depending upon their interest and aptitude.

Contact Person: - KARNA VIDYA LIBRARY

Mrs. Shyla V
2/4 I Floor, 3rd Main Road
Raja Annamalai Puram
Chennai – 600 028
Cell: 938100 4365
Computer is defined as:

An electronic machine for storing and organizing information and for communicating with
others computers.
It is also defined as a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed
mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise
processes information.
Computer accepts information in the form of digitalized data and manipulates it for some
result, based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed,
as well to store data.

Computers come in all types and sizes. There are primarily two main sizes of computers.
They are:

• Portable
• Desktop

The mechanical system, or the physical components, in a computer is called Hardware,

and the program and information that is being fed into it is called the software.

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:

• Memory : Enables a computer to temporarily store, data and programs.

• Mass storage device: Allows a computer to permanently retain large
amounts of data, by disk drives and tape drives.
• Input device : Comprises a keyboard and mouse by which data and
instructions enter a computer.
• Output device : A display screen, printer, or other device.
• Central processing unit (CPU): The heart of the computer and this is the
component that actually executes instructions.

Computer software, consisting of programs, which enables a computer to perform

specific tasks, and is divided into three major classes: system software, programming
software and application software..

• System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It
includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing
systems, utilities and more.
• Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing
computer programs and software using different programming languages in a
more convenient way. The tools include text editors, compilers, interpreters,
linkers, debuggers, and so on.
• Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-
computer related) tasks. Typical applications include industrial automation,
 business software, educational software, medical software, databases, and
computer games

Computer software has to be "loaded" into the computer's storage (such as a hard drive,
memory, or RAM). Once the software is loaded, the computer is able to execute the
software. Computers operate by executing the computer program. This involves passing
instructions from the application software, through the system software, to the hardware
which ultimately receives the instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the
computer to carry out an operation -- moving data, carrying out a computation, or altering
the control flow of instructions.

Computer Components:

Computers are made of the following basic components:

1. Power Supply - The power supply comes with the case, but this
component is mentioned separately since there are various types of power
supplies to ensure uninterrupted power supply during general power
failure.

2. Computer case - (CPU) - comprising of:

Motherboard – This is the heart of the computer. This is where the core
components of the computer reside, which are listed below.

i. Microprocessor - This is the brain of the computer, which

performs commands and instructions and controls the
operation of the computer.
 ii. Memory - The RAM is mounted on the motherboard. This
is the memory that must be powered on to retain its
contents.
iii. Drive controllers - The drive controllers control the
interface of the system to the hard drives. The controllers
let the hard drives work by controlling their operation. On
most systems, they are included on the motherboard

Hard disk drive(s) - This is where the files are permanently stored on the
computer. Also, normally, the operating system is installed here.

CD-ROM drive(s) - This is normally a read only drive where files are
permanently stored. There are now read/write CD-ROM drives that use
special software to allow users to read from and write to these drives.

Floppy drive(s) - A floppy is a small disk storage device and has a very
limited, about 1.4 Megabytes, memory capacity.

Other possible file storage devices include DVD devices, Tape backup
devices, and sound adopter and speakers.

3. Monitor - This device which operates like a TV screen lets the user see
the text, as well display icons to give commands.

4. Keyboard - This is where the user enters text commands into the computer.
 5. Mouse - A point and click interface for entering commands which works
well in graphical environments.

Booting the computer: It is the technical term for starting a computer.

Computer with Voice Recognition for the Visually Handicapped (Blind) Users

Many people with clear vision deficiency depend on voice command for operating their
Computer - known as voice in-voice out, which is programmed through the screen
reading software.

However, the keyboard is still the most efficient way of inputting data into the computer.
and should be thoroughly practiced for easy operation. This needs continuous practice.

Keyboard is one of the most important aspects of disability access. Blind people
generally cannot use a mouse because they cannot see where to click. They use their
keyboard almost exclusively.

The standard keyboard is usually called a 'QWERTY' keyboard because of the order of
the first six alphabetical characters on the unit. The main functions may be categorised as
follows:
1 Alpha-numeric characters.

These are the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters of the alphabet in both upper and lower case.

2 Punctuation marks.

These include the full stop, comma, inverted commas, colon and semi-colon. In the
computing world, many punctuation marks have special significance and special names.
Here are a few examples:

# - called 'hash' used to mean 'number' but has other purposes.

? - called 'query' often associated with printing functions.

@ - called 'at' normally being used in e-mail addresses.

~ - called 'tilde' finds frequent use in abbreviating web addresses.

3 Control Keys

These consist of 'Escape', 'Tab', 'Caps Lock', 'Enter', 'Delete' etc. The control key itself
(Ctrl) gives a different key press level so that pressing Ctrl+key produces a completely
different function. The 'Alt' key has a similar purpose, for example, pressing 'Alt+F' is the
same as clicking on the 'File' pull-down menu in Windows 'Program Manager'. It has a
similar effect in many other applications and was in use, long before it was common to
use a mouse with a computer.

Even now, typing Alt+F, X, Enter, is a much quicker alternative to using the mouse and
is frequently preferred by more experienced programmers. Although it is rare, the mouse
function does sometimes fail, so being aware of these commands enables the computer to
be navigated and shut down properly from the keyboard.

The Tab button allows you to step through text boxes more easily than pointing and
clicking with the mouse to obtain the 'I' bar.

Alt+Tab allows you to step through all the applications you have running at any one time.
Releasing the Tab button enables you to remain in the application being run and work on
it before returning to the current application.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is one of the 'last resort' key press combinations. If a program has
'locked up' or stopped responding, pressing this key combination is often the only way of
regaining control - short of switching the computer off and starting again (which is NOT
recommended).
4 Function Keys

These are the keys F1 to F12 usually found along the top of the keyboard. Their use
varies considerably from one machine to another and may also be dependent on the
software being run.

For example, if you're using Microsoft Word and you wish to highlight text to change
font or colour, to make bold or italicise or simply to delete, the standard method is to
click and drag with the mouse. This is often difficult to achieve and areas not required
may be highlighted, whilst other parts may be missed.

Using the function keys, once you've pressed F8, pressing it again will highlight a word,
pressing again will highlight a sentence and pressing a third time will highlight an entire
paragraph. To select the word, place the cursor at the front of the word, just behind it, or
anywhere in between. This function can be turned off by hitting the Escape button.

Shortcut Keys

Shortcuts keys help provide an easier and usually quicker method of navigating with out
the mouse and using computer software programs. This is basically supportive to the
blind. Shortcut keys are commonly accessed by using the Ctrl, and/or Shift in
conjunction with a single letter

Basic PC shortcut keys

Alt + E Edit options in current program

Universal Help in almost every Windows
F1
program.
Ctrl + A Select all text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected item.
Shift + Del Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins Copy selected item
Ctrl + V Paste
Shift + Ins Paste
Home Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.
End Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.
Highlights from current position to
Shift + Home
beginning of line.
Highlights from current position to end of
Shift + End
line.
Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right at a time.
Commonly known as "function keys", F1 through F12 may have a variety of different
uses or no use at all. Depending on the installed operating system and the software
program currently open will change how each of these keys operate. A program is
capable of not only using each of the function keys, but also combining the function keys
with the ALT and/or CTRL keys, for example, Microsoft Windows users can press ALT
+ F4 to close the program currently active.

Let us learn how to use the 14 top most commonly used Windows XP
shortcuts.

14 Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts

To take advantage of, one should be comfortable using a keyboard and be familiar with
the layout.

Tip 1: Quickly Accessing the Start Menu

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key

Tip 2: Quickly getting to your System Properties

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + Pause/Break
Tip 3: Quickly getting to your Run Dialog Box
Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + R

Tip 4: Quickly Locking your System

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + L
Tip 5: Quickly Search for Anything

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + F

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + Ctrl + F

Tip 6: Quickly Minimizing and Restoring Windows

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + D

Tip 7: Quickly getting to the Utility Manager

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + U

Tip 8: Quickly getting to Help and Support

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + F1

Tip 9: Quickly getting to Windows Explorer

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key + E

Tip 10: Quickly delete something without being ASKED to

Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + Del

Tip 11: Quickly getting to your shortcut menu

Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key

Tip 12: Quickly getting to your Task Manager

Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + Del

Tip 13: Quickly switch between running programs
Keyboard Shortcut: Alt + Tab

Tip 14: Quickly Getting to Full Screen Command Prompt

Keyboard Shortcut: Alt + Enter
JAWS software, mostly installed in the computers for the visually
handicapped, is the self instructor and gives instructions to be followed to
carry out all the above programs.

Once a student becomes proficient in using the keyboard, the following lessons are
to be taught.

Practice program:

The following areas of instruction are suggested, making adjustments in the depth of
coverage and order of presentation based upon each student’s abilities and needs. The
student’s access method - screen reader with speech, screen reader with Braille, screen
magnification software, etc - should be taught in conjunction with the following areas,
rather than separately.

Essential:

• Keyboarding
• Word Processing (Microsoft Word)
• Translating and embossing, if a Braille reader (Duxbury)
• File Management (via the Desktop, Windows Explorer, later within the Open and
Save As dialog boxes)
• Email (Outlook Express)
• Web (Internet Explorer)
• Scanning, if appropriate
• Configuring Windows to be more accessible

Word processor and Excel:

More formally known as document preparation system is a computer application used
for the production (including composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of
any sort of printable material.

Word processing was one of the earliest applications for the personal computer in office
productivity. Microsoft Word is the most widely used computer word processing system,
and have a variety of uses and applications in the field of business, home, and education.

Example: First type windows key, then type P – will get programs in the monitor.
Type W – will get word. And start your job.
(The whole process will be supported by voice guidance)

Lessons on Word processing:

Creating a Document:
Creating a new document is as easy as opening the Word program and we start out by
explaining how to do this from the Windows start menu.

Formatting
Transferring the words from thought to the keyboard, is the first step in getting a
document done in a presentable form, as well to highlight bold, italicize and underline the
documents wherever needed.

Opening and Saving Documents

How to save them into folders, as well as how to open them again later.

Checking the Spelling

Even the most literate people get stumped as to how to spell certain words, and all of us
commit mistakes. The process of spell checking allows us to correct any mistakes we
may have made along the way. Spell checking contains many keyboard commands to
access all of the many options available to the student.

Checking Grammatical Errors

It's not enough to ensure that the spelling is correct. Microsoft Word's grammar checker
examines your sentences and offers suggestions for many commonly made errors.

Review of Cut, Copy and pasting

Since highlighting text is the most important thing to learn, we feel it's justified to have a
review of how to highlight, cut, copy and paste text in your documents.

Printing the Document

Many a times, documents are to be got printed and we will explain how to print, and
printing multiple copies.

Besides Word processing, the other program which is currently in high demand on the
job market is Microsoft Excel. Excel is a program used to create spreadsheets, designed
to facilitate the manipulation of data for budgets, salary expenses, tax reports, proposals,
etc.

By regular practice a visually handicapped student can easily master the

programs, and compete with others.