Internet coffee for people with disabilities

Good Bytes looks like any other Internet cafe, with colored concrete floors, colorful tea pots and a row of computers in the corner.

But if you look closely, you will find that the computer system is equipped with joystick mouse, magnifying software and devices that allow " mouse " clicks with only the movement of the eye. Yes, Good Bytes is one of many Internet cafes designed specifically for people with disabilities in the United States.

Officially launched from Saturday last week, Good Bytes is an initiative of Goodwill Industries, a non-profit organization in San Antonia. " We are pioneers, but certainly not the last store, " said Rebecca Helterbrand, the company's vice president of marketing.

Source: AP For a long time, Goodwill has built employment centers throughout San Antonia to help people with disabilities find jobs. However, polls show that up to 70% of people with disabilities in the region remain unemployed and 60% of them do not have computer skills.

Because of the link between unemployment and lack of computer skills, Goodwill has found ways to make people with disabilities more accessible to technology. And Good Bytes is one of those initiatives.

Technology for everyone

Here, people with disabilities will receive free instructions on basic computer operations. Of course, when they have special needs or need special equipment to operate the PC or surf the Web, they will have to pay for themselves. " It's a pity, but because these devices are very expensive and we can't afford all the needs of everyone ," Rebecca said.

Some technologies, such as software, magnify the image and read aloud the content displayed on the screen (helping people with vision difficulties) relatively cheap, because the software market serves older users. abundant. If the user's disability is even rarer, the technology that helps them is less and more expensive.

In addition to the two computers equipped with the exaggerated software, there is a computer in Good Bytes that allows the person to control the mouse with eye movement. The mouse pointer will follow their eyes and click when the user blinks.

Another computer allows people with mobility problems to attach a silver dot to the nose or eyeglasses. The reader will record the movement of this gambler and users can use it to type or control the computer.

" This is great. This is a wonderful place for people with disabilities like us ," a customer came to the shop on the opening day.

Trong Cam