[blindkid] Ipad only

Allison Hilliker AllisonH at benetech.org
Wed Nov 12 17:26:25 UTC 2014


Hi Amber,

I would ask the school what app they are planning on having your daughter use to read Word and text files on the iPad. Such tasks are done easily enough on a BrailleSense, but less easily done on an iPad. 

I'm taking a class myself right now using only an iPhone and a Braille display, and reviewing Word files of class handouts on the iPhone is not especially functional. I imagine it would be even more frustrating for a kid. I'm using Dropbox to review Word docs, and it is not nearly as accessible with Voiceover as it used to be. The app has changed a lot lately and your daughter's teachers may not know that. 

It's possible that they'll recommend an app other than Dropbox for reading docs, but I doubt it. And if they do then please tell me what they recommend because I'd like to know myself. 

Experience has shown me that few sighted teachers really know the practical details of how a blind person accesses school or work tasks day-to-day. So they may think an iPad is just fine because they learned that in a training somewhere, or from another teacher, but they've never actually tried to use the technology themselves to complete a class. So they likely won't know what is truly best for your daughter to be successful in school.

I'd ask the Word and text doc reading question because if they don't have a good answer then you have a concrete specific reason to point to as justification for why your daughter needs a note-taker.

BTW, I do love iOS and think that having your daughter learn to use the iPad with the Braille display is a great idea. It just may not be the best tool for her in all school situations.

Good luck!

Allison


-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne Denning via blindkid
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 10:00 AM
To: Amber Hall; Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Ipad only

Any technology has a limited life.  I purchased my first notetaker in
2001 and I am now on my 3rd one.  It came out in 2010 so I expect it
to be discontinued in the next year or two.  An iPad has a use time of
approximately 3 to 4 years.  It will be old enough that new upgrades
will no longer work.

What does the school district want her to accomplish on her iPad?

I also agree, she needs a technology assessment.

On 11/12/14, Amber Hall via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I know with computers they only last so long  Before you need to get a new
> one. What's the running time on note takers?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 12, 2014, at 11:45 AM, Bernadette Jacobs via blindkid
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Linda, as much as I think this really stinks, I think you're right. MSB,
>> (Maryland School for the Blind), is doing the same with their students.
>> My daughter Virginia is over there.  Yes, she's doing quite well with the
>> Ipad/Braille Display thing.  However, I agree with most on this list.
>> Don't give us this ONLY garb!!!  We should be able to use what works for
>> us???  Now that I'm fuming!!!  Oh Glory!!!  Only trying to be nice and
>> charitable???
>>
>> Bernie
>>> On 11/12/2014 11:37 AM, Linda A.Coccovizzo via blindkid wrote:
>>> My girls are using the iPads with the RefreshaBrailles at school.  They
>>> are doing well with these because this is what they started out with and
>>> what they are used to.  I think though, especially my youngest, would
>>> take off with a braille note taker of some kind, and the Braille Sense
>>> devices are awesome.  If that is what your daughter is used to, I think I
>>> would push for the upgrade of that device.  I'm going to go out on a limb
>>> here, and say that the school is probably planning on purchasing the iPad
>>> and then using APH quota funds to get the RefreshaBraille.  Much cheaper
>>> then a new Sense.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Penny
>>> Duffy via blindkid
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 10:31 AM
>>> To: Amber Hall; NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List (for parents of blind
>>> children)
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Ipad only
>>>
>>> Oh and I assume the braille display would have braille input keys.  it
>>> would A Huge No without.
>>>> On Nov 12, 2014 11:27 AM, "Penny Duffy" <pennyduffy at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Abby uses an IPAD and a braille display because they have 1:1 iPads
>>>> district wide and it works for her. There are things the does an ok
>>>> job with and that's braille transcribing can have a lag.  Also the
>>>> braille sense is always on and ready. I  am still on thr fence and
>>>> Abby may need a notetaker someday. It seems silly to move your
>>>> daughter to an ipad only if the braille sense is working so well with
>>>> her. Do they have a tech eval to say the IPad is a better tool? What is
>>>> thier reasoning?
>>>> On Nov 12, 2014 10:52 AM, "Amber Hall via blindkid"
>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hello, it's been a while since I've been on here. But I have a
>>>>> question for parents of kiddos who are using iPads with braille display
>>>>> at school.
>>>>> My daughter has a braille sense. she's had it for probably four years
>>>>> now.
>>>>> She does very good on it, but the school is wanting her to go to iPad
>>>>> only with a braille display. I'm kind of hesitant because I know I've
>>>>> heard negative things on here about doing that.
>>>>> Any suggestions on what I can say to help my case when I present it
>>>>> to the school?
>>>>> My daughter loves her braillesense. She's hesitant to go to the iPad
>>>>> because a lot of times it doesn't work for think she needs it too.
>>>>> And she is slow with it because she doesn't have a lot of experience
>>>>> with it.
>>>>> But they still want her to transition to only ipad anyway.
>>>>> Thanks for your help!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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