[nobe-l] Esablishing a School for the Blind

Fri Jun 15 18:13:04 UTC 2012

I added a subject line because many people automatically delete emails that don't have one.  They are afraid the messages will contain viruses and/or other bad stuff.

Good luck in establishing your school.  Blind students worldwide deserve a quality education, regardless of economics, ethnicity or other variables.

-----Original Message-----
From: nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amanda Matheny
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 10:13 AM
To: National Organization of Blind Educators Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nobe-l] (no subject)

Wow, that is an awesome cause. I hope it works out well for you! I think if you look around you can probably find the funding you need.
You may even be able to get a grant or something similar. I can't support your idea financially, but I support it in my thoughts anyway and hope it goes well. Providing a quality education for blind students in other countries, especially less privileged ones is a great thing!

On 6/15/12, Michael Baird <oonyusilver at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Liz and All,
>
> My name is Silver Francis Oonyu!  I am a Ugandan national with very 
> low usable vision.  I managed to complete a masters degree in Vision 
> studies at the University of Pittsburgh, this last Spring.  My end 
> dream is to establish a school for children who are blind. In my 
> community, of Teso sub-region in eastern Uganda. So as to help other 
> children, in a similar situation.  Blind children in Uganda are 
> without education in the strict sense of the word.  I have many 
> challenges concerning what I want to do. My community has donated land 
> but lack of funding is a big drawback but the children?  In need of 
> help.  Many have never even heard of JAWS. Can anyone out there?  Help 
> me help these children? My other email is oonyusilver at yahoo.com also 
> sfoonyu at gmail.com. 256 779334895 is my cell phone number.
>
> I do appreciate any possible help!!
>
> Silver
>
> On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 5:06 PM, Amanda Matheny
> <mommyzhuuraan at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Hi Liz, I have used JAWS 13 with blackboard and it seems to work.
>> There's a few quirks, like on the file upload screen but they can be 
>> overcome. It just takes a little patience. I thinkt here is a link to 
>> a non-java based uploader or something like that if I remember 
>> correctly that works.
>>
>> I haven't actually tried NVDA with Blackboard, but it might be worth 
>> exploring. I agree about universal access. The interesting thing is 
>> that NVDA was just a glorified Narrator just 5 or 6 years ago, but 
>> now it's creeping up to on par with commercial screen readers, and is 
>> just as good if not better on some things.
>>
>> I wish you the best of luck in your teaching goals, and have similar 
>> ones myself. Planning to get my Bachelor's ASAP.
>>
>> On 6/8/12, Elizabeth Phillips <evp at email.arizona.edu> wrote:
>> > Hello Everyone,
>> >
>> > I'm totally blind and want to start teaching online in the next few 
>> > semesters.  My computer is quite old, and I only have JAWS 11 at 
>> > the
>> moment
>> > which is wanting when it comes to optimally making teaching 
>> > platforms
>> such
>> > as Desire to Learn and Blackboard accessible.  It's also had great
>> trouble
>> > with JAVA and Flash media.  I'm in the process of acquiring a new
>> computer
>> > with Windows 7, with the most optimal configuration of programs and 
>> > applications for word processing and online teaching.
>> >
>> > I have two questions for the group and would welcome any 
>> > suggestions, feedback, or experience you might have.
>> >
>> > First, is there anyone here using JAWS 13 with Blackboard, Meeting 
>> > Space, webconferencing programs, and similar applications?  If so, 
>> > what has been your experience?  Have you found that specific JAWS 
>> > configurations
>> coupled
>> > with older versions of Flash and Java more compatible than JAWS 
>> > with up
>> to
>> > date versions of the same software?  Is there anything I should be 
>> > particularly aware of regarding JAWS 13 accessibility?
>> >
>> > I am also wondering about peoples' experience with open source 
>> > screen readers.  Does anyone on the list use one and, if so, which 
>> > one?  Would
>> you
>> > recommend it as something comparable to JAWS 13, and do you think 
>> > it
>> works
>> > well with the kinds of programs and add ons needed for online teaching?
>> > I'm
>> > very interested in supporting universal access to screen reading 
>> > software and the ability of all blind people, regardless of 
>> > socioeconomic background, to have as much access to information as 
>> > their sighted cohorts.  So, if there is one or a number of open 
>> > source screen readers compatible with Windows 7 and the 
>> > applications I've mentioned I'd prefer to use it over JAWS.
>> >
>> >
>> > Thank you,
>> > Liz
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Amanda Matheny
>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/zhuuraanpub or, if you think you know me
>> well enough, request my private twitter username.
>> Website coming soon!
>>
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-- 
Amanda Matheny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/zhuuraanpub or, if you think you know me
well enough, request my private twitter username.
Website coming soon!

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