[NFB-Science] Is Solidworks Accessible?

[nspohn0 at gmail.com]

Hi David, 

It is interesting how you mentioned plain text. I am thinking the best way
to use a modeling software would be to somehow code the drawings. If that is
all you remember from the podcast, I will take this lead and run with it. If
you happen to find the Eyes on Success Episode, please share it with me. 

Thank You, 
Nic Spohn 



-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Science <nfb-science-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of David
Engebretson Jr. via NFB-Science
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2020 11:24 PM
To: 'NFB Science and Engineering Division List' <nfb-science at nfbnet.org>
Cc: David Engebretson Jr. <accessible.engineering at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Science] Is Solidworks Accessible?

Looks like the Shape Lab at Stanford is doing some things related to this
inquiry:
Shape.stanford.edu

Also, Peter Torpey and his wife did an interview with someone at Colorado
State (on their EyesOnSuccess podcast) a while back. The professor had a
fully accessible modelling program based on plain text. I can't remember,
and can't find, any resources about it's name or website. It's lost on hard
drives of mine that have gone kaput since. Sorry! If I remember right his
name is Sean and he worked at Colorado State...

Best,
David


-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Science <nfb-science-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Noreen via
NFB-Science
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2020 7:16 PM
To: nfb-science at nfbnet.org
Cc: ngrice5456 at aol.com
Subject: Re: [NFB-Science] Is Solidworks Accessible?

Hi Nic,
I'm sighted NFB member and I do have some experience with Solidworks. I
actually took a Solidworks course at a local community college last Fall
because I was curious on how it works. Solidworks is a 3D graphic program
for designing components that can be manufactured. Factories like it because
you can try out different iterations of prototype designs before committing
to the final design. That saves money for them.
In Solidworks, you use the mouse to draw shapes in the X and Y planes and
then use different commands to rotate, expand or "pull up or out" the shape
to make it 3D. You also can cut out shapes within shapes, merge shapes to
make larger parts and change the shape of parts.
I checked on the SolidWorks website for accessibility and there is the
ability to modify the colors and fonts on the controls so the program is
more accessible to people with color blindness. But I'm not sure if or how
you would be able to use the program independently with JAWS because it is a
graphic design program and very visual.  I do have an idea on how you could
work with Solidworks from a different approach. Here's what I have in mind.
Step 1 would be to have the professor provide you with a 3D-printed model of
what the final result should be for each assigned project. This would allow
you to objectively study the shape and size of the object so you are clear
on what the final product looks like. In Step 2, you could work with a
sighted assistant where YOU draw the design of the components (using
something low-tech like the Sensational Blackboard ($50 from sensational
books.com/products.html) or APH Draftsman. The idea is that you use the
tactile drawing board to draw what you want to do and then and have the
sighted person use your design and draw it on the screen. Step 3, I don't
know if this is possible, but if you could have screenshots of each design
step and be able to get a quick printout with something like a Tiger
embosser, then you could determine if the diagram  had been correctly drawn
by the sighted person and or if that design step required any modifications.
Step 4 would be to  print out a final version on the college's 3D printer
and compare your version to the professor's version....determining if your
design was the same, not so good, or actually better!
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,Noren Grice
-----Original Message-----From: Nicolas Spohn via NFB-Science
<nfb-science at nfbnet.org>
To: nfb-science at nfbnet.org
Cc: Nicolas Spohn <nspohn0 at gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, Jul 22, 2020 8:45 pm
Subject: [NFB-Science] Is Solidworks Accessible?

Greetings Federationists,

My name is Nic Spohn and I will be a freshman this fall at Penn State
Harrisburg.  My  major of study is mechanical engineering. This fall I will
be taking a course called introduction to engineering design.  My advisor
said that we will be using a software called Solidworks.  Is anyone familiar
with this software and if it is accessible? I am a Jaws user. 

Thank you,
Nic Spohn
2020 Scholarship Winner


Sent from my iPhone
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