[nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab andsomeother college questions

Tue Apr 26 20:37:32 UTC 2011

The only doubt I would have about that is...  twelve cells? 
That's it? I have a 32 cell display on my BN, and it's great for 
reading.  I think that in college, you might want to have more 
cells on that display, but that's just me!

Chris Nusbaum

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Jacob Struiksma <lawnmower84 at hotmail.com
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:16:37 -0700
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab 
andsomeother college questions

It is called the Braille pen.  This device is $995.00.  is small 
meant to
use with phones or laptop computers.  It has 12 Braille cells 
display the 6
keys   and arrow joy stick.  There are some pod cast of person 
using the
device online.
From
Jacob Struiksma

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Ignasi Cambra
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 11:10 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab 
and
someother college questions

For taking notes, I would also consider an iPod Touch along with 
a small
bluetooth Braille display (that is, if you want braille).  I 
can't remember
the brand or model, but there is a small bluetooth braille 
display out there
which has a braille keyboard built in.  I tried that with my 
iPhone and I can
tell you that it makes a terrific notetaking device.  It's also a 
lot smaller
than any of the blind-specific products.
Just an idea...

IC
On Apr 25, 2011, at 9:10 PM, Jorge Paez wrote:

 That's true,
 I think JFW is ten times better then Window Eyes.
 I've tried both, but JFW does seem more responsive.

 Jorge

 On Apr 25, 2011, at 8:09 PM, David wrote:

 I don't that the keyboard should be too loud to prevent you from
 taking notes.  I have the same model, and took notes in high 
school
 all the time, and will continue to do so in college.  If you're 
not
 completely set on Window Eyes, I would get JAWS, and keep the 
PAC
 Mate.  You could use the PAC Mate Braille display on your 
computer
 that way, as Window Eyes does not support it.
 David

 -----Original Message-----
 From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
 Behalf Of Jordyn Castor
 Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:06 PM
 To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
 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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