Sensory Aids Foundation of Palo Alto, California, has funded development of a number of microprocessor-based or computer-related sensory aids to enable blind and partially sighted persons to enter innovative areas of employment previously inaccessible to them. Three of these devices are discussed in this paper: the prototype TSPS (Traffic Service Position System) console for blind telephone operators; an Optacon Tracking Guide for CRT displays; and a Digital Indexing System for cassette audio recorders. In addition, three other microprocessor-based products recently acquired by Sensory Aids Foundation for placement with blind or partially sighted clients are briefly described: the Speech Annunciator for digital laboratory instruments; the Large Print Video Terminal; and the TIM-II (Talking Information Management System). A new grant received from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Projects With Industry Section, has allowed expansion of services to develop computer-related jobs for blind, deaf, and orthopedically disabled persons.

Sensory Aids Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation has been involved in the application of rehabilitation engineering and sensory aids technology to the solution of employment problems for sensory and physically disabled people for five years. During that time over two hundred people have been placed in a variety of jobs. The key factor in ensuring the success of the placement of our blind clients has been the identification of appropriate sensory aids to assist the blind worker in accessing what is traditionally alternative forms of sensory information. This paper will discuss two situations where totally blind individuals are using sensory aids to perform competitively.