Special equipment and technology play an important role in assisting nursing students and nurses with disabilities in the classroom and clinical settings.The following resources supply special stethoscopes, talking thermometers, talking blood pressure monitors, talking scales, and computers.

Special Stethoscopes (Hearing Loss)

This company offers four different stethoscopes for people with hearing loss. Some can be used with hearing aids.

This company offers amplified stethoscopes for the hearing impaired.

Auscultation Assistant
This site provides help with hearing heart and lung sounds.

Makes the "E-Scope" for users with hearing impairments. It is available for use with a hearing aid.

The new pressure sensitive "Ultrascope" is available for people with hearing loss.

Beyond Hearing Aids
Features amplified stethoscopes and FM systems. Includes an article on "How to Cope with Scopes" and a report "On the Job with Hearing Loss".

Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Interface Systems
Custom cables, stethoscopes and telephone adapters.

Blood Pressure Gauge

One-Hand Blood Pressure Gauge
One-hand gauge aneroids are available. The pump and dial are attached to the same handle and can be manipulated with one hand.

Assistive Listening Devices

Provider of wireless audio resources for students and teachers

HearingLoss.org
Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc.

Assistive Reading Devices

The ReadingpenŽII
A portable assistive reading device designed to provide people with reading difficulties, learning disabilities or dyslexia with immediate word support while they are reading printed text. It contains over 480,000 words from the American HeritageŽ College Dictionary, 3rd Edition.

Med-Spell Lookup from Franklin
Franklin's new eBookMan is a handheld device that delivers instant access to medical references and the Franklin Reader with Med-Spell lookup.

Triangle Graphing Calculator

The Accessible Graphing Calculator
The Science Access Project at Oregon State University, Department of Physics developed the TRIANGLE Graphing Calculator for people who are blind or dyslexic. A Windows 95 program that can be used on a small notebook computer as a calculator, including the ability to compute and plot functions y(x). The plot is visible on the screen and can be "viewed" in audio.

Vision Loss Equipment

Talking Thermometer
Provides audio announcement and digital display of temperature

Talking blood pressure monitor
Voice announces blood pressure and pulse. Headphone jack is available for privacy.

Talking Scales
Weighs in pounds or kilograms

Talking Prescription Bottles

Colorino
A Portable Talking Color Identifier, identifies approximately 100 colors. Also, functions as a light detector.

Computer

IBM Independent Series Information Center
(800) 426-4832    TT(800) 426-4833
The center responds to requests for information on how IBM products can assist people with a wide range of disabilities use personal computers.

Apple Computers
Provides a wide range of hardware and software to assist people with special needs.

Microsoft
A wide range of accessibility technology is offered for people with disabilities.

Mouse Adapter
Developed by IBM for people with tremors, this adapter enables people who suffer from hand tremors to eliminate excessive cursor movement.

One-handed and two-handed touch-typing
The Matias 508 Keyboard™ is a standard desktop keyboard that has been enhanced to allow both one-handed and two-handed touch-typing.

See-through Surgical Masks

www.amphl.org
The Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses reports that the Clear Face Mask is now being made available for use as described in U.S. Patent 5,561,863. The feature of a clear insert would allow for lip reading between medical professionals as well as between patients.