Swales' Three-Move Model for Introductions (4/13/2010)

Swales’ Three-Move Model for Introductions

(Digital Literacy and Visual Impairments)

Bradford McKeon

Move 1: Establishing a Territory

With each passing day it seems like technological innovation is growing. Our use of the computer ranges from submitting homework to doing out own taxes. In a world where people can read everything from a screen, how does a blind person survive? It is important to make sure that those who cannot use regular everyday technology are accounted for.

Move 2: Establishing a Niche:

Many people assume that digital literacy presents a barrier for the blind. I wanted to know how the blind might adjust to a visual technological world. Instead of focusing on creating and improving helpful technologies, people often just say that there is a road block for the blind. I am focusing on the helpful technologies for the blind that make literacy easier, as well as adjusting to the technological age we live in.

Move 3: Occupying the Niche:

I set out to find research on the different technologies that are in place to assist the blind, including screen magnifiers and text to speech technologies. I wanted to learn about what was already out there, and how it can be improved. Overall I found many different technologies that are in place to assist the visually impaired. I would like to help show that digital literacy can be a helpful thing for the blind too. I have summarized different findings of several types of technologies for the visually impaired. I will present them, as well as any counter-claims and room for improvements in the different technologies.