[NFBP-Talk] Request for Tech help information

Tue Jun 16 13:08:29 UTC 2026

Hi Michelle,

Thank you again for your interest in helping me out. Here is an overview of my digital situation. Not quite sure where to start, but here goes.

First, maybe I should tell you a little about my previous life in technology. Back in 2013, using Jaws and Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003, I formatted my novel for publication in print and through the digital markets. At the time, I was also writing articles for online magazines and formatting them using HTML code. I had a WordPress blog and  was on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Also, I was doing some audio editing of original songs that I had recorded here at home. In short, . I had a pretty good handle on technology. But, time flies, and things change. With my husband's illness and death, I just didn't keep up, or I couldn't.

Geographical issues: I live in rural Susquehanna county, and our internet service is stone-age DSL. To make things worse, the company - Frontier - oversold their service and can't provide service for all customers all the time - lots of network errors and low-signal issues. They're working on fiber optics. Half a mile from me in any direction , Everybody Has It. I've been asking when they're going to get it here. They keep promising, but nothing happens.
We also have poor mobile service with lots of dead zones.

Cell issues: My cell is a BlindShell Classic 2, which I purchased over a year ago after no longer being able to tolerate the TracFone LG flip phone, which only worked a couple hours a day and although it had a screen reader, Internet and email, the screen reader didn't work for those programs.

Reasons I chose a BlindShell: The reason I got the BlindShell is twofold. First, I had originally purchased my then dream phone, a Google pixel 6 Android smartphone. The Folks at our local Verizon store actually showed me how to use the touchpad commands. Unfortunately, they were showing me how to use it as if I were sighted. I never could get it to work at home.  They must have figured that it wasn't going to work for me, because they never charged me the monthly service fee. I think it's still good. It's a 4G. If I knew how to learn how to use it, I would like to give it another try.

Anyway, in the hopes of finding some available training for the equipment I already had, I contacted BVS. The services they offered for my age group were for people with Low Vision - the focus being on helping those just losing their vision,  not those who have been blind all their lives. I understand the philosophy, but I don't think it works any longer now that we are in a rapidly changing digital age where computer and cell use are critical for all aspects of life and  in which blind people still have to fight for accessibility. BVS may have changed somewhat,  but probably not much.

The second reason I chose  the BlindShell is because I need the buttons. At 76 and with a history of carpal tunnel syndrome and thumb joint arthritis, my hands are not in very good shape. I had heard stories from people using smartphones, both Apple and Android, who were complaining that the virtual keyboards they had to use to type or edit messages etc. were so tiny that they kept making mistakes. My phone has a dictation program which needs serious editing. I can't imagine with my poor hand sensitivity that I could do it on a virtual keyboard. As an Old English major and writer, I like to get things right - a goal which,  as  I was reminded again this morning - is 1 I don't always achieve.

Pluses and minuses of the BlindShell: The BlindShell has issues, but it has been a huge step forward for me. One of the biggest drawbacks, which I discovered when I started participating in the blind Birder Bird-a-thon, is that you can't go to the Google Play Store to download apps! I contacted Cornell University's Department of ornithology which makes the Merlin app - the gold standard for birders. Everybody in the nonprofit birdability uses it. Cornell had no other way for me to get it. And, in all fairness, how would I use it on my own property with the signals going in and out?

My Computers: I have a Windows 7 desktop and two Windows 10 laptops - one Dell, one HP. I subscribe to Microsoft 360, mainly for MS Word. I would dearly love to find my old Office 2003 Business Edition that the state of Pennsylvania bought for me back in 2005 and put it on my Windows 7. I really don't like the new Word. The menu items have become so complicated, and the pop-ups drive me nuts. The other program that I missed dreadfully is 2003 Outlook, before they changed it to look more like a spreadsheet.

Other changes in the past 6 years: after the changes to Outlook, I started using Google Gmail online. at the time they had what was referred to as basic HTML. it was touted as the best option for not only rural users but those of us using assistive technology. Then, a few years ago they discontinued it entirely, leaving those of us who relied on it with the task of trying to figure out their Standard version.

I have three of my email accounts - all Gmail - synced to my phone and computer. This is Handy in a lot of ways. Addressing a message on the cell phone and then writing it or editing it on the computer bypasses the problem that I continue to have trying to address emails on the Gmail online platform. My other account however, was a .epix account started by Frontier's predecessor. Frontier eventually had Yahoo host their emails, and then abandoned the whole email thing altogether.

I have Thunderbird on my HP Windows 10 laptop and I had no trouble setting up all of my accounts there, but I can only access one. Finding accessibility information for the problem on Thunderbird’s Help section online has been a nightmare. I'd like to put the .epix account on my cell, but you need a third party passcode.  I can't figure out how to get it, other than signing up with Yahoo for a paid support contract.

Well, that’s more than enough for one email.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

Donna 

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