[blindlaw] Introduction and hello!

Wed Apr 13 04:02:22 UTC 2016

hi Kristy,

I don't know of any OCR programs that can reliably deal with
handwriting. While I can independently access PDFs of decent copies of
documents, I use a sighted assistant for dealing with documents that
contain handwriting or that are of poor quality.

I use a program called Abbyy Finereader. When I have long documents, I
usually convert them from PDF to plain text. I lose some of the
formatting, but usually this works best for me. Sometimes, if there is
handwriting, I can tell because there will be jibberish in the
document. I will then ask my administrative assistant to read or type
the parts of the document that I can't access with OCR. Also, if there
are documents that I think could have handwriting, I will ask my
assistant to scroll through and alert me if there is anything there.
Sometimes, depending on the task, I ask my assistant to convert a
document to Word or to read it to me, but most of the PDFs I need to
access can be dealt with in Abbyy Finereader or a similar program. My
work is transactional in nature, though, so I might not encounter the
types of things you do.

And I can't say enough about kNFB Reader. Once, I used it at a
conference to scan a handout we were given in a group session. The
results were near perfect. I had access to the material in speech and
in braille almost instantaneously. It was pretty amazing. I was able
to participate in the activity with my sighted colleagues and
contribute meaningfully to my team's efforts.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck with JAWS. It can be difficult to
incorporate training into your schedule when you have a busy practice,
but JAWS can definitely give you pretty good access to a lot of what
you will need in your practice.

Best,

Angie

On 4/12/16, Avino, Kristy via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Thanks Kelby.  My firm has provided me with JAWS, but I have not found it
> easy to learn how to use it on my own so I'm investigating training.
>
> Sounds like I definitely need KNFB reader app.
>
> Are there any scanner programs that will read handwriting, or at the very
> least alert me that there is handwriting on a paper or scanned document?
> That is a huge concern on mine when doing document review.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelby
> Carlson via BlindLaw
> Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 1:31 PM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Kelby Carlson
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Introduction and hello!
>
> A couple of things:
>
> It's very possible your firm may be able to provide you with JAWS. If they
> can't, some rehab organizations for the blind will, as well as services like
> the Lions Club. I'd explore those options if you can. As far as reading
> paper documents, you will probably want a scanner. You'll need an OCR
> program to convert the documents to text. This is something else your
> employer might have to provide under the ADEA. However, if you have a
> Smartphone I would also suggest getting the KNFB Reader App. It essentially
> turns your phone into a portable scanner that will read documents to you. It
> works wonderfully and can also save converted documents for later use. The
> app is about $85, but that is far less than what most programs like this
> cost. It is also useful for being able to review documents in situations
> where you don't have a main scanner.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Avino, Kristy via BlLaw  <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> To: his'Blind Law Mailing List'"  <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 1:26 pm
> Subject: [bllaw]  Introduction and hello!
>
>>
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I wanted to say hello and introduce myself as I've been following the
>> board for several months now.  I have been getting useful nuggets of
>> information from the archives for a few months now, so thank you!
>>
>> I practice employment counseling and litigation at McCarter & English in
>> Boston, MA.  BC Law class of 2003.  I learned I had retinitis pigmentosa
>> one year after I graduated from law school, which was a complete surprise,
>> as no one else in my family has it.  Legally blind since last fall, which
>> again was a surprise as I thought I had a good number of years to go
>> before I reached that point.  Trying to figure out how to use and get
>> training for JAWS while maintaining my practice.  Also trying to figure
>> out how to do all the things I ordinarily do in my practice (review paper
>> documents!  Read paper books!) and if it can still be done as efficiently
>> and effectively as before.  Anyone in the same boat or who has been
>> through it before can feel free to reach out though the board or offline.
>>
>> All the best,
>> Kristy
>>
>>
>> Kristy L. Avino | Associate
>> McCARTER & ENGLISH, LLP
>>
>> 265 Franklin Street | Boston, Massachusetts 02110
>> T: 617-449-6577
>> F: 617-607-9135
>> kavino at mccarter.com | http://www.mccarter.com
>>
>> BOSTON | HARTFORD | STAMFORD | NEW YORK | NEWARK
>> EAST BRUNSWICK | PHILADELPHIA | WILMINGTON | WASHINGTON, DC
>>
>>
>>
>>
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