[blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

[David Andrews]

You can also load NVDA from a USB drive, each time you want to use 
it.  You should be able to use JAWS, and their objections wouldn't 
prevail if faced with a serious challenge.  However, should you need 
an alternative before things are worked out, there is the NVDA USB 
drive alternative.

Dave

At 12:42 PM 7/8/2015, you wrote:
>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