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

Tue Apr 26 00:52:33 UTC 2011

I have used both, and I do love that there is a way to reset the
Braille Note without erasing material. When I used the PacMate back in
high school, there was not a way to do this, and it crashed quite
regularly. But I had one of the first versions of the PacMate, and it
could be much better now. I would stick with what you're used to. But
if there isn't a way to reset your PacMate without erasing material,
you should backup your files on a very very regular basis.

Cindy

On 4/25/11, Jordyn Castor <jordyn2493 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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 out of date and I have NVDA.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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-- 
Cindy Bennett
UNC Wilmington Psychology major

clb5590 at gmail.com
828.989.5383