[blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

Susan Kelly Susan.Kelly at pima.gov
Wed Jul 8 19:27:25 UTC 2015


Thanks so much to all for all the wonderful input from the list.  The biggest battles we face in my office as a governmental agency seem to be from budget woes and the need for inexpensive / quick fixes - two things that always seem to work directly against accessibility accommodations for the few of us that need them, at least in the mindset of the number-crunchers.  It's nice to know that my belief that ADA should cover things isn't completely off-base.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews via blindlaw
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 12:14 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List
Cc: David Andrews
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] ZoomText versus JAWS

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


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