[blindkid] Why JAWS?

[Sally Thomas]

I agree with Arielle's comment on self teaching a new OS.  Technology is
changing all the time so it's probably most important to foster an attitude
of experimenting and discovery.  The TVI's I've encountered haven't been
experts in assistive technology.  Much of the learning my son has done has
been through just trying it out and talking with others using the
technology.  It's the way I've learned most of my computer skills too.

One comment about the netbook option--just make sure it has enough memory
to make JAWS useable.  I'm not sure how powerful netbooks are these days
but some of the original netbooks weren't powerful enough to run JAWS.

Sally Thomas

On Thu, Mar 7, 2013 at 8:42 AM, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com>wrote:

> I think part of it depends on what size Braille display she would get
> if she went the JAWS plus Braille display route. If it's a portable
> display like RefreshaBraille, she probably doesn't need a notetaker on
> top of that. But if the Braille display they want to get is a huge 40
> or 80-cell one, she may need the notetaker for portability. Personally
> if I were the one doing the tech assessment, I would probably
> recommend getting a small Braille display and a lightweight PC like a
> netbook or ultrabook.  Netbooks are inexpensive, portable and have
> long battery lives and I don't know of anything an elementary student
> would do that couldn't be done on a netbook. RefreshaBraille from APH
> can connect to the computer via USB or bluetooth if the computer is
> bluetooth-enabled. It can also connect very easily with Macs and Apple
> devices like iPhones, so if she were to get a Braille display she
> could potentially have Braille access on your home computer as well,
> though I suppose the same could be said of notetakers. While I haven't
> used a notetaker since 2010, my experiences surfing the Internet with
> Braille Notes has not been great. She definitely needs access to
> either a Mac or PC though I'm not knowledgeable enough to comment on
> which one is more critical to learn first. I do think once she learns
> one operating system, she can self-teach another one if that becomes
> necessary.
> Arielle
>
> On 3/6/13, Allison Hilliker <AllisonH at benetech.org> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi folks,
> >
> > Just a note to mention that one doesn't have to use JAWS in order to
> become
> > proficient with using Windows with a screenreader. While I agree that
> > understanding Windows and MS Office is important for future success in
> the
> > business world, JAWS isn't the only screenreading solution for Windows.
> > Serotek provides its screenreader, System Access, for free to K-12
> students.
> > And the screenreader NVDA is free for everyone. Either of these may work
> for
> > a student whose teacher is reluctant to pay $800+ for JAWS.
> >
> > Just my thoughts.
> >
> > Allison
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Brandon and
> > Sarah
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 3:28 PM
> > To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > Subject: [blindkid] Why JAWS?
> >
> > I'm trying to make sense of a recent conversation with our daughter's
> > TVI, who I realize is not up speed on technology - to be fair, neither
> > am I. We were discussing a braille notetaker vs. braille display +
> > computer. The TVI thinks she can justify the cost of a notetaker to
> > the district by not having to get JAWS. Her impression is that JAWS is
> > only for screenreading of internet material, which a notetaker can
> > theoretically do. Here is my question for those who are ahead of us on
> > this issue: If you have a notetaker at the elementary level and home
> > computer access with Voiceover, is there a strong reason to have/learn
> > JAWS? We have the MS Office for Mac on the home computer, so I'm less
> > concerned about Emilia missing out on the Windows experience than I am
> > about her getting more acquainted with accessing school curriculum,
> > doing school work, etc. by electronic means. Thanks. Brandon
> >
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