Some visually handicapped persons have difficulty reading or writing even with the aid of eyeglasses, but could be helped by visual aids which increase image magnification, light intensity or brightness, or some combination of these factors. The system described here uses closed circuit television (CCTV) to provide variable magnification from 1.4x to 31.7x. It permits the reader to track printed or handwritten material a line at a time. The position of the monitor or the vertical rotation plane of the camera may be adjusted to suit the individual user. The system has been used by 30 visually handicapped persons with about an 85% success rate. With suitable modifications to make it more portable, compact, efficient and flexible, this system could be of great aid to visually handicapped people. It could help not only with reading and writing, but also permit these people to compete for well paying jobs which are currently closed to them because of their eyesight. An appendix contains a consideration of X-radiation from a television monitor. (JY)