[Blindtlk] Suggestions and Recommendations Needed

[Judy Jones]

Hi, Sandra, this is Judy.  See answers below.



-----Original Message----- 
From: S L Johnson via blindtlk
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 6:44 PM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: S L Johnson ; Blind-Talk
Subject: [Blindtlk] Suggestions and Recommendations Needed

Good Evening List:

I am sending this message to both the Talk and Electtronics list so, I
apologize for those who will get it twice.  That is why computers have
delete keys.

I am considering getting a smart phone.  I know the Apple phones are almost
twice the price of the android phones.  However, I do have a few questions.

What kind of phone should I consider?


I started out with the iPhone, but am with Android now, have been for almost 
3 years, and love the choices in phones and apps.  The Android are on the 
average less expensive, and if you use a minutes-based phone, those are 
accessible and available.  The speech on Android phones is TalkBack.  In the 
Samsung line, a blind person can set those up out of the box without sighted 
help.  I have used Samsung, LG, and Avail phones.  The reason for that is 
trying out phones for my husband who may switch over to Android in future. 
You are welcome to write me off list as well with other questions.

my e-mail is sonshines59 at gmail.com
Which model is the most accessible?

Do any of them have a tactile keyboard instead of a touch screen?


No, the Smartphones of today are touch screen.  As user-friendly as they 
are, I do miss the physical keypad.  Some of the older Android phones did 
have physical keys, as I understand, they were the phones that used to have 
the qwerty keyboard on the back, but the touch screen versions of today are 
by and large more accessible for everything else.


Will I have the same kind of helpful apps for the blind as you do with the
iPhones?


Yes.  You download them from the Google Play Store.  You can also download 
certain things for your phones you might like better than the stock apps. 
For instance, if you get a phone, but are not wild about its stock messaging 
app, or the way the phone keypad works, you can download one from the play 
store you like better.  I like all the choices you have for an Android 
phone.

I know the NFB Reader and Newsline are on the iPhone but, are they available
for the android and do they work as well?


I find that they work very well.  No complaints here.

Does the NLS BARD work well on the android phones?

Very well with no problems experienced.

My second list of questions has to do with braille displays for the phone
and computer.
I have recently had some hearing problems and I will soon have to purchase a
Braille display.  It is getting hard to understand the speech even with my
speakers turned all the way up.  Any recommendations and suggestions will be
appreciated.  I somehow have to do this all on a very limited low income.
Does anyone know if there are any provisions under vocational rehab, social
security or Medicare  that will assist a senior citizen if their situation
has changed as mine has with the hearing problems?

>From what I understand with the Android list, most braille displays work 
very well, and connect with Bluetooth.  The braille program used is 
BrailleBack.

I use my Hims Braille U2 Mini as a note taker, and also as a braille 
display.  When at work, as I also use my cell phone at work for those out in 
the field, it is very simple to switch back and forth between note taker 
modes and using with the phone.  My U2 also interacts with the phone dialer 
as well.

These are good questions for the Android list, so I would recommend 
subscribing to it.  eyes-free+subscribe at googlegroups.com.  It is a very busy 
list, but I got a wealth of information from there when I first started with 
the Android platform.  You may find answers about braille displays there, 
too.


I am not as worried about orientation and mobility because my wonderful
golden is doing great at being both my eyes and ears.  However, I do need to
find louder devices to be my audible cue to locate my home among all the
identical homes in this development.  I know Eva will turn into our driveway
but, I do feel better having that audible cue just in case she is distracted
or I have to go out with a cane.  I found out that I can no longer hear the
wind chimes and wireless doorbell I have been using.  Are there any kind of
tactile vibrating location devices?

The NFB sells some devices for location, and you may want to call the 
Independence Market. (410) 659-9314.


Before someone recommends hearing aids, I cannot use them because I am
allergic to all the things they have tried.  I cannot put anything into or
behind my ears without a severe allergic reaction.  I apologize for all the
questions but, I know we do have some deaf/blind folks out there on this and
other NFB lists.  If anyone can think of anything else I can consider,
please let me know.  Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions.

The Hims U2 products have vibratory features and are geared for deaf/blind 
folks.  If you are working, you may check with your VR program to see if you 
can receive help.  Our state also has a loan program for assistive 
technology not associated with the agency for the blind, and you could check 
to see if your state has such.


Hope all this helps.

Sandra






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