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

Tue Apr 26 00:05:58 UTC 2011

Right now I have a PAC Mate with a braille keyboard and a 40 cell 
display which is mine. I'm just concerned about using the keyboard in 
class since it's so loud! lol I also use a laptop, but mine is pretty 
out of date and I have NVDA. So, I want a new laptop with Window Eyes or 
something. I also have a Booksense.
I'm just going to say this. My name is Jordyn, spelled J o r d y n, just 
so people don't think I'm a guy. lol! I've seen it spelled with a lot of 
variations on this list so I'm just letting you all know.
Anyway, thanks so much for the great suggestions on the technology! What 
do you guys think in your preference of the BrailleNote to the PAC Mate 
and why if it is just used for notetaking and book reading and such? I 
really don't want to get into a huge BrailleNote versus PAC Mate debate, 
just wondering though. lol You can email me off list with your opinions 
if you want.
Do you think people get annoyed with the loudness of your notetaker in 
class?
Thanks again,
Jordyn
On 4/24/2011 9:46 PM, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote:
> 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
>
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