[Electronics-Talk] braille displays

Thu Jan 14 15:26:54 UTC 2016

Chip,
A general rule is that the more cells the display has, the more it will
cost. With an iPhone, I think the least expensive probably is the BraillePen
12. The display Tracy has from Alva, or its Bluetooth version will be more
toward the higher end of the basic display price structure, I think. Hims
now has the Smart Beatle, which has been available for about a year now and
is affordable, as such things go. There is a focus 14 from Freedom
Scientific. To me if one is going to use a display, you should try some that
are 40 cell and some that are smaller. The 40 cell types give more of the
braille line and the smaller ones requiring advancing the display more to
read a line. On those, words will often not fit in the display requiring
advancing. One gets use to that or can and portability/cost may be greater
advantages to some users. I think the only way you know is if you get the
opportunity to work with them for a period of time. The assistive Technology
program in your state could be a good resource to borrow something with
limited cells and something with 40. With an iPhone, I believe 40 cells to
be about the largest available. I am using a vario Ultra 40 that I like
allot! It has some note taker functions though that may or may not be
necessary with an iPhone. As one gets into those, the price rises also.
Jim McCarthy

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Chip Orange via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 9:20 AM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: Chip Orange
Subject: [Electronics-Talk] braille displays

I have never used a braille display, so don't know which models even to
consider.

I would appreciate it if someone would answer on the question of what would
be a good low-cost, easily portable, braille display suitable for use with
an Iphone?  I interpret the original post to have included this question.
(not just where to go for good used device prices).

Thanks for any info.

Chip Orange
Florida Public Service Commission
Computer Systems Analyst
850-413-6314

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of James Aldrich via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 10:52 PM
To: S L Johnson; Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: James Aldrich
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Suggestions and Recommendations Needed

Hi Sandra

Check with flying brind LLC for good prices on braille displays.  The web
address is:
Http://www.Flyingblind.com.
He has good prices on braille displays. Android is catching up with the
iPhone but the IPhone still has better accessibility.  One can get
reasonably priced older Iphones from most cell carriers.  I'm wishing you
the very best!

Jim ,  

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 12, 2016, at 6:44 PM, S L Johnson via Electronics-Talk
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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?
> Which model is the most accessible?
> Do any of them have a tactile keyboard instead of a touch screen?
> Will I have the same kind of helpful apps for the blind as you do with 
> the iPhones?
> I know the NFB Reader and Newsline are on the iPhone but, are they 
> available for the android and do they work as well?
> Does the NLS BARD work well on the android phones?
> 
> 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?
> 
> 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?
> 
> 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.
> 
> Sandra
> <S L Johnson.vcf>
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