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

Tue Apr 26 01:43:26 UTC 2011

It's ultimately up to you. If you have a system that works and you are happy 
with what you have, then you could just stay with that. However, there is 
one more thing to consider. How old is your PacMate? The Apex is relatively 
new. Although it does not have everything, it has potential to grow which 
older devices may not have. Also, it seems to be that if you are going to 
get technology from rehab, now is the time to do it upon entering college. I 
don't think that rehab usually gets different technology once you're in 
college unless there is a new release and your current technology no longer 
does the job.

----- 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 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and some 
other college questions

>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 out of date and I have NVDA.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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