[NABS-L] tech for college

Santiago H santiago.blue.hernandez at gmail.com
Wed Sep 19 16:55:11 UTC 2018 

I personally have a Mac, and use both macOS and Windows. Honestly, Windows is less efficient for me and tends to crash a lot more, so I only use it if I absolutely have to. This is coming from a tech major. macOS tends to be much more responsive, but just like Sophie said, not much has been added to VoiceOver recently. Honestly, I'm not sure what else they could add that would improve the accessibility of apps. At one point a couple of years ago, it wasn't very stable; however, they seem to have fixed most of those bugs by now. Overall, it's best to be familiar with both macOS and Windows. When it comes to JAWS vs NVDA, I agree that having both is probably the best option. NVDA might work better in certain cases than JAWS, and vice versa. For instance, JAWS tends to be more responsive when using Excel, while NVDA tends to work better when browsing the web. As for note takers and braille displays; that's more of a personal preference. The BrailleNote Touch and BrailleSense Polaris both run Android; however, the BrailleNote does have a touch interface, which I would personally prefer over buttons, but that's just me and everyone is different. Alternatively, having a braille display like the Focus or Orbit which you can easily carry around and use with a lot of main stream devices is also a good option. Especially since those main stream devices will most likely have the most up to date software you'll need for school. If you can get a more premium display like the Focus 40 Blue, then you should go with that over the Orbit. While the Orbit is a great low cost display, it lacks routing buttons above each braille cell, making it less efficient for document editing. 

 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 19, 2018, at 9:30 AM, sophie trist via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Maura,
> 
>      Windows all the way over Mac, although it's good to be at least passingly familiar with both. Windows is more universal; you're much more likely to work with Windows in a school or workplace. In my opinion, Apple has been lagging behind in accessibility for VoiceOver on the Mac. It's just not keeping up with other screen readers.
>      Different screen readers behave differently in different situations, so it's a good idea to have more than one. I would heavily recommend investing in JAWS. However, NVDA is free and easy to install, so why not have that one too? I've come across situations where a website works better with NVDA than JAWS and vice versa. If you have both screen readers on your machine, you can flip between them as needed. You should also take note of Narrator, Mierosoft's built-in screen reader. Its new update is making it much more accessible and intuitive. The multitude of screen reader options is another reason I'd go with Windows over Mac. Yeah, you can boot-camp a Mac to run OS and Windows, but that's a PAIN!!!
>      For KNFB Reader/Seeing AI, it depends on what you plan to use it for. Seeing AI is cheaper and has a lot more versatility. It can read money (multiple currencies), scan bar codes, and work with photos. However, KNFB Reader is still superior in the OCR arena. I have both on my phone.
>      I've been a BrailleNote user for ten years (lord, just writing that makes me feel old), and I love my BrailleNote Touch. That's what I'm using to type this email. However, I'd recommend playing with both of them if possible, to determine which is the best fit for you. Personaaly, I don't see the point of having both a notetaker and a braille display. Best of luck!
> 
> Sophie
> 
>> On Sep 19, 2018 8:13 AM, Maura Loberg via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello all. I'd like to thank you for your responses. I would like to open the debate more towards specific devices. Since I have to do it this way, I'd like to know the following: JAWS vs. NVDA, BrailleNote Touch vs. BrailleSense Polaris, Orbit Reader 20 vs. Focus 40 vs. Brailliant-BI32 vs. others, KNFBReader vs. Seeing AI and Windows vs. Mac vs. others. What devices have helped you survive higher education? What made you decide on those pieces of tech?
>> Thanks!
>> 
>>> On Sep 18, 2018 11:33 PM, Loren Wakefield via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I believe a notetaker is essential.  Which one is your preference.  Also, a 
>>> laptop and printer will be well used.  If you would use it and can afford it 
>>> or dcan convince your rehab to purchase it for you, a braille display would 
>>> be quite handy.  But I'm one who believes it should be separate from you 
>>> notetaker.  
>>> 
>>> Another idea might be to pair a braille display with a tablet of some sort. 
>>> One can do this much cheaper thana a notetaker would set you back.  
>>> 
>>> Loren 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message----- 
>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kendra Schaber via 
>>> NABS-L 
>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 11:13 PM 
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> 
>>> Cc: Kendra Schaber <redwing731 at gmail.com> 
>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] tech for college 
>>> 
>>> Hi all! 
>>> I think the Polarous Braille Sense is more up to date as far as I know. But 
>>> if you are taking a lot of math, you'll need something like it along with 
>>> the rest of the tech. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Thank you for taking the time to read this Email! 
>>> Blessed be!!! 
>>> Kendra Schaber 
>>> Chemeketa Community College, 
>>> 350 Org, 
>>> Citizen's Climate Lobby, 
>>> National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, Capitol Chapter, Salem, Oregon. 
>>> Home Email: 
>>> Redwing731 at gmail.com 
>>> Chemeketa Community College Email: 
>>> Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu 
>>> Phone: 
>>> 971-599-9991 
>>> "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear", Author unknown. 
>>> Sent from my iPhone SE. 
>>> Sent from my Gmail Email 
>>> Get Outlook<https://aka.ms/qtex0l> for iOS ________________________________ 
>>> From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Santiago H via NABS-L 
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> 
>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 3:07:30 PM 
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
>>> Cc: Santiago H 
>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] tech for college 
>>> 
>>> Getting a BrailleNote Touch or an Orbit which can be paired to a computer or 
>>> an iPad are both great options, one being more expensive than the other of 
>>> course. Unfortunately, the BrailleNote Touch runs a version of Android from 
>>> 2013, and given the fast pace in technology, I'm honestly not sure how well 
>>> it will work in the long term with apps such as Google Docs, Sheets, and 
>>> Slides which are widely used today. At the very least, getting a computer, a 
>>> braille display, and some form of scanning software such as KNFB Reader are 
>>> a must though. 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone 
>>> 
>>>> On Sep 18, 2018, at 2:14 PM, sophie trist via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> 
>>> wrote: 
>>>> 
>>>> As far as braille displays go, it's just a matter of preference. If 
>>> economy is your main concern, the Orbit 20 is a great option. However, as an 
>>> English major, I read a TON of books. Having a 20-cell braille display would 
>>> drive me up the wall. But it's all about what you're looking for. What works 
>>> for me might not work for you. 
>>>> 
>>>> Soph 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Sep 18, 2018 3:54 PM, Louis Maher via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> 
>>> wrote: 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello, 
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Orbit 20 allows you to enter any 6 dot or 8 dot character you like. 
>>> For this reason, you can enter any type of Braille required. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards 
>>>>> Louis Maher 
>>>>> Phone: 713-444-7838 
>>>>> E-mail ljmaher03 at outlook.com 
>>>>> 
>>>>> From: Kendra Schaber <redwing731 at gmail.com> 
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 3:45 PM 
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> 
>>>>> Cc: Louis Maher <ljmaher03 at outlook.com> 
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] tech for college 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi all! 
>>>>> As awesome as that sounds, you have to concider what you need out of your 
>>> braille note taker. You might get the wrong one if you stick with the 
>>> cheapest one out there on the market. Bare that in mind. Are you planning on 
>>> taking advanced math? If so, that smaller note taker might not be the right 
>>> note taker for you. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thank you for taking the time to read this Email! 
>>>>> Blessed be!!! 
>>>>> Kendra Schaber 
>>>>> Chemeketa Community College, 
>>>>> 350 Org, 
>>>>> Citizen's Climate Lobby, 
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, Capitol Chapter, Salem, 
>>>>> Oregon. 
>>>>> Home Email: 
>>>>> Redwing731 at gmail.com<mailto:Redwing731 at gmail.com> 
>>>>> Chemeketa Community College Email: 
>>>>> Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu<mailto:Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu> 
>>>>> Phone: 
>>>>> 971-599-9991 
>>>>> "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear", Author unknown. 
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone SE. 
>>>>> Sent from my Gmail Email 
>>>>> Get 
>>>>> Outlook<https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A% 
>>>>> 2F%2Faka.ms%2Fqtex0l&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cd900fcd7856543a0fedf08d61da7c5 
>>>>> 28%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636729003733357986&sd 
>>>>> ata=GxHuLkKfL55FDV%2FAGOCxsV6665kdJfePUGIYff7BQVk%3D&reserved=0> for 
>>>>> iOS ________________________________ 
>>>>> From: NABS-L 
>>>>> <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org>> on 
>>>>> behalf of Louis Maher via NABS-L 
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> 
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 1:37:04 PM 
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
>>>>> Cc: Louis Maher 
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] tech for college 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello, 
>>>>> 
>>>>> When considering a note taker, consider the Orbit 20 
>>> (https://www.aph.org/orbit-reader-20/<https://nam01.safelinks.protection.out 
>>> look.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aph.org%2Forbit-reader-20%2F&data=02%7C01%7C 
>>> %7Cd900fcd7856543a0fedf08d61da7c528%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7 
>>> C0%7C636729003733357986&sdata=9Vf7ySq9yvg3HbJM7Bb9VR8jwqFDVR4jELxEUgaBS4Y%3D 
>>> &reserved=0>), whose $500 price is about one tenth the cost of other note 
>>> takers. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards 
>>>>> Louis Maher 
>>>>> Phone: 713-444-7838 
>>>>> E-mail ljmaher03 at outlook.com<mailto:ljmaher03 at outlook.com> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message----- 
>>>>> From: NABS-L 
>>>>> <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On 
>>>>> Behalf Of Neel Sheth via NABS-L 
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 3:04 PM 
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> 
>>>>> Cc: Neel Sheth 
>>>>> <sheth.neel.s at gmail.com<mailto:sheth.neel.s at gmail.com>> 
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] tech for college 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello Maura, 
>>>>> To reiterate earlier messages, I'd also highly recommend a braille note 
>>> taker. It's incredibly portable, and easy to use to take comprehensive notes 
>>> independently without relying on speech output from a screen reader. With 
>>> regards to a laptop, whether you choose to use mac or windows depends both 
>>> on your familiarity with each, as well as your major. If you are going to be 
>>> studying engineering of any sort, then stick to windows. For most other 
>>> majors, A mac is also a solid choice. Personally, I do prefer using a mac, 
>>> since voiceover has a very natural feel on the mac when compared to using a 
>>> separate program as a screen reader. If, however, you do choose to use a 
>>> mac, I would highly recommend maintaining proficiency in using windows, as 
>>> windows is more widely used in professional settings. When in college, you 
>>> should also cinsider getting a printer, since I have had many professors who 
>>> want both an electronic and hard copy submission for assignments. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Neel Sheth: Clemson University 
>>>>> Phone: 803-420-2354 
>>>>> sheth.neel.s at gmail.com<mailto:sheth.neel.s at gmail.com> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Sep 18, 2018, at 11:03 AM, Maura Loberg via NABS-L 
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote: 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I am going to be entering blindness skills training and college in the 
>>> near future. This year, I am working on writing letters to purchase certain 
>>> pieces of tech. My question is, what technology did you find super useful in 
>>> training and/or college? Computers? Notetaking devices? Braille displays? 
>>> Screenreaders? Apps? I'm open to all ideas. I'm totally blind so magnifiers 
>>> are out of the question. 
>>>>>> Thanks! 
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