Laptop-Compatible Cctvs: A Portable Option for Students with Low Vision (Technology Notes) (Closed Circuit Television ‪)‬

Buying a closed-circuit television (CCTV; also known as a video magnifier) is a costly prospect, whether it is being purchased by an individual, a rehabilitation agency, or a school (see, for example, Farrenkopf, 2005). Given the high cost of these devices and the necessity for them to meet both current and future needs, it is important to compare prices as well as products before purchasing a CCTV. This article discusses the magnification needs of students with low vision, emphasizing the option of using a laptop-compatible CCTV and its benefits. It offers some perspective on the questions to ask and the factors to consider before buying a laptop-compatible CCTV and provides some information about four laptop-compatible CCTVs previously evaluated in Access World, the American Foundation for the Blind's online technology magazine. This information will be helpful when deciding if a laptop-compatible CCTV is a suitable option to meet your client's or student's needs. Although this article focuses mainly on students, the information is applicable to clients in other settings and of all ages as well. Before beginning the search, it is essential that the student first undergo a comprehensive clinical low vision evaluation to determine his or her visual functioning (Farrenkopf, 2005). During this assessment, a vision specialist with expertise in visual impairment can determine how the person's visual functioning can be enhanced through the use of optical devices and electronic magnification. Some low vision clinics also conduct adaptive technology assessments, including assessments of the use of CCTVs. An assessment is also an opportunity to experiment with low vision devices that may otherwise be unavailable. If at all possible, it is important to try out various CCTVs before one is selected, because what may at first appear to be a good product for an individual may not suit his or her particular needs as well after some investigation.