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

Cindy Bennett clb5590 at gmail.com
Tue Apr 26 21:24:12 UTC 2011


You do have a point that resetting the Braille Note can be annoying
in the middle of class. I always bring headphones and plug them in
just in case, because usually I keep the speech off and just use the
braille display. It does beep inside and outside the headphone, so if
I have to do it, I try to wait for a transition time in notes such as
switching slides or changing topics.

I think it would be difficult to justify the purchase of an iTouch for
note taking, but it is a great idea if you already have one. I don't
personally have one, but know people that have purchased a blue tooth
keyboard to help with typing. This option has a good battery life and
is more portable than a laptop and it obviously has a ton of other
uses, so I think that it is a great idea.

Cindy

On 4/26/11, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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-- 
Cindy Bennett
UNC Wilmington Psychology major

clb5590 at gmail.com
828.989.5383




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