Talking calculators have a visual display as well as a voice output. Some calculators announce the keys being pressed in addition to announcing the result of the calculation.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
The use of a talking calculator can be useful for people with vision impairment or for those people who have difficulty processing visual information and may require an auditory reinforcement of actions. It should be noted however, that this could prove a distraction for others in the workplace if a head phone jack is not available.
Office supply stores and specialist stores stock a wide range of various talking calculators including:
- desktop talking calculators with a headphone jack
- large print and talking calculators
- pocket talking calculators
- talking scientific calculators.
Another option for accessing a talking calculator is to utilise the calculator function on a computer and use screen reading software. This will allow calculations made on the screen to be read aloud.
For more information that may also be helpful in the workplace, see the links below:
References
Vision Australia 2008, Mathematics: Large print talking scientific calculator, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 5 May 2011, https://secure.visionaustralia.org/visionaustralia/onlineshop/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=315.
Vision Australia 2008, Fact sheets: Accessible Calculator Options, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 5 November 2010, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1797.