[nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and someother college questions

[Nicole B. Torcolini at Home]

It might be different depending on major, but I have to disagree about the 
desktop verses laptop. You really need to be able to take your computer with 
you if there is a need to. Sometimes, you work with other students, and you 
need to be able to show them your work while also still being able to 
control the computer. Even if you have on of those USB screen readers, it 
can still be rather slow working on a system that is not your own. Also, 
particularly if you have a roommate, you don't want your technology to take 
up more room than it has to.

That brings me to my next point. Unless you need to emboss a lot of things, 
I would actually opt out of an embosser. The only thing that I get hard copy 
is tactile graphics, which the college does for me.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and 
someother college questions


> Gordyn,
> Technology depends on your needs and it has to relate to your college 
> goals.
> Everyone likes laptops now a days; but IMO an advantage to bringing a 
> regular desktop to the dorm is its stable and you don't have to worry 
> about battery life and its more fragile.  Now if you intend to take notes 
> on it during class, then yes bring a laptop to college.
> Do you have a notetaker already such as  a BrailleNote?
> If so, you already have a braille display.
> I agree ask for a scanner with OCR software like Openbook.
>
> The braille display, your choice of screen reader, and computer are 
> personal preference.
> Rehab bought me my BrailleNote and Openbook software with scanner.  But I 
> already had some technology like jaws and duxbury because my family is 
> supportive.
>
> What are you going to use the braille display for?  That is more expensive 
> than a computer, scanner, and OCR software combined.
> So what justification will you have for them to spend that much money on 
> it? Something to think about.
> In VA I don't know one college student who got a
> 40 cell braille display!  Students typically get a screen reader, OCR 
> software, scanner and a notetaker; state buys either the PacMate or 
> BrailleNote.
> Just be prepared to justify the braille display as this is not a common 
> request. If you need it, go ahead though.
> But the state might think "oh why should we buy this when we paid for a 
> screen reader and Openbook to read to him?".
>
> Regarding roommates, I'm with you. Get a roommate, unless you have a guide 
> dog.  Then the dog might pose a problem living with a roommate because of 
> allergies or something.
> Meet with housing so they don't assume you need a special placement or 
> something.  I think blindness should not affect where you live as long as 
> you can walk down stairs in an emergency; so live whereever freshman live 
> and don't let blindness be a barrier.
> Ashley
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Jordyn Castor
> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 8:09 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and some other 
> college questions
>
> Hi again guys!
> I'm going to college in the fall, as I already said yesterday. This is
> why I have so many questions! I just want to be sure I'm doing
> everything right, and what better way to do this then asking other blind
> students? :) So, thanks for all your great advice on everything!
> My other question is, what are reasonable things to ask Rehab for in the
> way of technology?
> I'm thinking a laptop, 40 cell braille display, Window Eyes, and a
> printer scanner combo thinggy with software like OpenBook or Kurzweil. I
> don't know if I'd get a notetaker though as these are super expensive.
> lol Any suggestions or other things you'd ask for? What are you all
> using as far as technology in college?
> My college also has a place where I can, I think, borrow technology like
> an embosser or Braille Display. Should I use that rather than asking
> rehab for some of the things like the display and the printer? I think
> it would be awesome to have a printer in my dorm though lol!
> Oh, speaking of dorms, do most of you have a roommate or a single room?
> A lot of my blind friends seem to have single rooms because of the
> expensive technology, but, I want a roommate, I think. lol Thoughts?
> Anyway, I'll stop rambling! :)
> Thanks again,
> Jordyn
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.com