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

Tue Apr 26 00:36:44 UTC 2011

I honestly think the PAC Mate crashes less on the Braille keyboard 
models then on the actual keyboard models. I have a computer style one 
at school and it crashes all the time! I haven't had to send it in 
because of software failures. I just usually do a clean reset of the 
unit and it works wonderfully. I also have the newest version of the PAC 
Mate so don't know if that makes a difference as I've heard of the 
earlier models having more problems which doesn't surprise me lol.
On 4/25/2011 8:10 PM, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home wrote:
> 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 out of date and I have NVDA.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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