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

Mon Apr 25 03:26:42 UTC 2011

Hi, guys.

Just a few thoughts on David's suggestions.  I agree with your 
comment about the laptop vs the notetaker.  With the newer 
versions of the notetakers like the Braille-Note Apex that I 
have, you can do most anything that you could on a computer with 
your notetaker as it's all computer technology now instead of PDA 
technology.  However, if you're doing a Internet research project 
or something, the more tools in your toolbox, the better.  I know 
that some sites are accessible to screen readers but not to 
notetakers, and vice versa.  So I would reccomend definitely 
seeing if you can get both.  Now keep in mind, as I said before, 
rehab probably isn't going to get all the technology you need for 
you, but you never know.  You might need another funding source, 
like a Lions club or another foundation like the I CAN Foundation 
that I mentioned in the last email to you.  On the display vs 
notetaker and Braille embosser topics, I would suggest a 
notetaker over a Braille display for its portability and 
convenience.  I would reccomend a Braille-Note Apex over the 
Braille-Sense, based on what I've heard about the Braille-Sense.  
However, one of the NFB executives was showing me a Braille 
display called RefreshaBraille from APH, which he uses for his 
iPod instead of VoiceOver.  It really doesn't matter, in my 
opinion, whether you get a screen reader for your computer or a 
Braille display.  It really serves the same purpose.  If you have 
a screen reader, it's already reading the screen, so why would 
you need a Braille display, and vice versa? On the Braille 
embosser, it all comes down to individual preference.  I used to 
love hardcopy Braille until I got the Apex.  Now my teachers 
email homework or classwork to me and I detach it right onto my 
Braille-Note.  I also email my teachers homework as attachments 
to emails instead of printing them out and labeling them in 
Braille, which saves a lot of time.  I also use the good old 
thumb drive all the time in school.  What's awesome about that is 
that in the middle of class, my teacher will say "Chris, I need 
your thumb drive to put a paper on it for today." If he/she has 
an electronic copy in their computer of the worksheet, they can 
stick it on my thumb drive and I can import it into the 
notetaker.  It's a life saver! But if you prefer hardcopy 
Braille, it's a louder process and you'll use a lot more paper, 
but it's whatever you prefer.  If you have any more questions, 
let me and the list know.  Good luck!

Chris Nusbaum

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

 ----- Original Message -----
From: David <davidb521 at gmail.com
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:38:29 -0500
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab 
and someother college questions

Hi, Jordyn.  Here are some things to keep in mind.  Definitely 
try to get a
laptop with a screen reader.  I know that some agencies may not 
purchase
computers, but rather the adaptive devices like screen readers, 
notetakers,
etc.  But there are always exceptions, it seems.  You'll want a 
powerful
computer with quite a bit of ram and processing speed, as well as 
a decently
sized hard drive.  As for OCR, if you're reasonably good with 
computers, look
in to OmniPage, which is a mainstream OCR solution with excellent 
OCR
accuracy.  I believe that it might be better than Kurzweil and 
OpenBook, and
you should be able to get it for less than $200.  Be aware that 
OmniPage is
not quite as easy to learn as OpenBook and Kurzweil, but if you 
are a decent
computer user, you'll have little trouble with it.  As for the 
Braille
display and notetaker, I would personally recommend a notetaker 
with Braille
output, since it's very portable, and you can just open it and 
take notes
immediately, rather than waiting for the laptop to boot up.  I'd 
get the
notetaker before the Braille display, since most notetakers can 
act as
Braille displays.  However, I don't think it's as convenient as a 
dedicated
Braille display.  Maybe they'll get you both.  A Braille embosser 
would be
nice, but they can be loud depending on the model, and that may 
be a problem
in a dorm setting.  But if you really like using hard-copy 
Braille, then do
try getting one.  It would be preferable than having to schedule 
time to use
the university's.  Those are my thoughts.
David
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jordyn Castor
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 7:09 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

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