Orion Talking Graphing Calculator TI-84 – Fully Accessible for Blind & Visually Impaired Students

Introducing the Orion Talking Graphing Calculator TI-84, a groundbreaking innovation designed specifically for blind and visually impaired students. Based on the widely recognized TI-84 Plus model from Texas Instruments, this calculator breaks barriers in STEM education by providing an inclusive tool that allows all students to engage in mathematical learning.

The Orion TI-84 Plus is the world’s first fully accessible handheld graphing calculator. Its unique design features a compact accessory that attaches seamlessly to the top of the TI-84 Plus, enabling visually impaired users to interact with the calculator through speech, audio, and haptic (vibration) feedback. This multi-modal approach ensures that all students can visualize and understand complex graphs and calculations.

One of the standout features of the Orion calculator is its high-quality synthesized voice, which announces each key pressed and the answers displayed. Users can choose from different speech rates and voices, ensuring a personalized experience that caters to individual needs. The device reads out all textual and symbolic information displayed on the LCD screen, making it easier for users to follow along with their calculations.

With an impressive list of scientific, statistical, and financial functions, the Orion calculator is versatile enough to meet various educational requirements. Its unique learning mode allows for instantaneous key identification without interrupting ongoing operations, promoting a smooth learning experience.

Moreover, the calculator enables users to explore graphs through spoken announcements or the innovative SonoGraph feature. This audio and haptic feedback mechanism provides a multi-sensory approach to understanding graphs by translating visual data into sound. For instance, it offers differential sounds for negative regions and axis crossing points, enriching the learning experience.

Users can also review the contents of the screen at any time, ensuring that they do not lose their place or affect ongoing calculations. The calculator is designed to be fully expandable with hardware accessories through a USB port. It can also connect to a computer via USB cable, allowing users to print or emboss graphs and other work (note: a printer or embosser is required for this functionality).

The Orion Talking Graphing Calculator comes equipped with a high-capacity rechargeable battery and features an automatic power-off for energy conservation. It includes high-quality stereo earphones for private use, or users can opt for the built-in stereo speakers for shared experiences. A user manual is provided in both audio and digital formats, ensuring comprehensive support for all users. Additionally, an AC adapter/charger is included, and the unit can even be charged while connected to a computer’s USB port.

Accessibility is at the heart of the Orion calculator’s design. Users have full access to all menus, expressions, text, and symbols displayed on the screen, ensuring they can navigate their calculations with ease. The capability to scroll through the history of calculations and quickly recall inputs and outputs further enhances user experience.

The calculator’s ergonomically designed structure features large, tactile, functionally zoned keys, ensuring that each key is spoken aloud when pressed. This thoughtful design helps prevent errors and promotes independence in learning and calculation.

To ensure long-term usability, the Orion Talking Graphing Calculator is fully upgradable via the supplied USB cable, keeping it current with technological advancements. Its dimensions of 9.3 inches in length, 3.5 inches in width, and 1 inch in height make it a compact and portable tool for students on the go.

With a 1-year limited warranty, the Orion Talking Graphing Calculator TI-84 stands as a testament to quality and innovation in educational tools. It is not just a calculator; it is a bridge to success in STEM education for blind and visually impaired students.