[blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

[Susan Kelly]

Thanks - this has been an on-going battle over the last 6 years, and will likely continue to be so.  The first accessibility program I used was one I purchased myself (WinZoom), when I still had more vision, as it did not need to be installed on the network as a resident program but rather loaded daily from a USB.  It has been an uphill battle ever since, especially since the theory of the powers that be is that, because I have a secretary assigned to me alone (rather than sharing one with 3 other attorneys, the usual public defender staffing quotient), she can take care of reading everything to me that does not work computer-wise.  In actual practice, that does not work in the rapid pace of juvenile court, but there are not so subtle reminders of the hiring freeze and budget cuts that are in place to counter my complaints.

-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Alcidonis, Esquire [mailto:Attorney at alcidonislaw.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 10:24 AM
To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
Cc: Susan Kelly
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

Yes, you do have a say. This is called reasonable accommodation that is specifically tailored to you, not to the department unless they can demonstrate some form of a burden. If your employment is at stake, I would highly encourage that you contact an attorney in your area to fire a letter to them to put them on notice and let them proceed at their peril.

If you can credibly demonstrate that ZoomText is not the tool that is appropriate to accommodate you, then it is not a reasonable accommodation. 
You should not remain idle and let them complete the implementation -- you should take action right now to protect your interest.

Good luck.


Rod Alcidonis, Esq.
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Kelly via blindlaw
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 1:05 PM
To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
Cc: Susan Kelly
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

I actually do have NVDA loaded at home and at work for when JAWS is not cooperating, so it is a definite plus.  The biggest problems, though, are whether anything will work on our very messy network, and the fact that I have absolutely no say in what is eventually chosen by the County as the preferred vendor / program.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Olusegun -- Victory Associates LTD, Inc. via blindlaw
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 9:07 AM
To: Blind Law Mailing List
Cc: Olusegun -- Victory Associates LTD, Inc.
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

Hello Ms. Kelly:

You wrote in part:

"My understanding is that JAWS is the most full-featured narration for a Windows / Word environment."

I think that your understanding is a bit misconstrued.  Jaws may be the MOST POPULAR screen reader, but it isn't the only FULL-FEATURED screen reader in the market place.  For instance, I can't use Jaws in my business because it just DOES NOT track the reading of the various screens I interact with daily correctly.  I'm forced to do constant screen refreshing and this does slow things down for me considerably.

Window-Eyes is a major contender in the screen reader market.  I have used this screen reader forever and, sufficing to say, it has been the one that has KEPT ME substantially gainfully employed if I dare to be close to being politically correct.

For the records, the developers of ZoomText and Window-Eyes have sinced MERGED into one company.  In the months and years to come, you may jolly well find that Window-Eyes and ZoomText will play ball better if they can iron out all the kinks they're working on.

I don't place my choice or trust in screen reader capabilities on what accessibility gurus say; rather, I venture out and try things out or myself, make my own assessment, and draw my own conclusions!  I'll urge you to consider creating the time to do the same.

You can reach the ZoomText/Window-Eyes folks by calling:

1-802-362-3612.

They should be able to tell you how you can get a demo copy of their products to play with at your own leisure.

Lastly, NVDA--Nonvisual Desktop Access--is slowly winning the hearts and minds of screen reader users and may become a real contender in the market place soon if plans DO NOT go awry.  What's more, it's free!  I have NO ILL-FEELINGS towards Jaws, but it is wrong to assume that it is the be-all and end-all for screen reader users!

Sincerely,
Olusegun
Denver, Colorado


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