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

Tue Apr 26 00:10:43 UTC 2011

Does the PacMate crash a lot? Have you ever had to send it in because of 
software failure?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jordyn Castor" <jordyn2493 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 5:05 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and some 
other college questions

> 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 lol I also use a laptop, but mine is pretty out of date and 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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