[stylist] advice ab switching from PC+Jaws to tablet for writing?

[Edward Green]

Hi Donna,

Android comes with a screen reader and you would be able to do document editing.  I’ve never got on with Android though so I’ll leave it to others to comment on how accessible that process is.

As Bridgit has already said, iPads are accessible too.  They have fewer keyboard commands than the Mac operating system though, so you may find yourself using the touch screen to navigate.

The other option of course is a Windows Tablet.  The HP Stream is relatively inexpensive and runs JAWS reasonably well by all accounts.  If you use a keyboard, then JAWS will run in exactly the same way as it will on a pC but obviously without boot up times etc.  However, I don’t believe that JAWS’s touch screen support (when using the actual touch screen) is that good.  I qualified that last remark because it is possible to use JAWS’s touch cursor from the keyboard.

One thing to watch: If you go down the Windows tablet route, make sure it’s running a full copy of Windows 8.1 (either Home or Pro) and not something called RT.  You won’t be able to install programs such as JAWS on a tablet running RT, only programs from Microsoft’s App Store.

I don’t know what the position will be under Windows 10 in respect of whether there’s an RT version, which comes out on July 29.

Cheers,

Ed
> On 16 Jul 2015, at 19:07, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist <stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I don't know much about word processing with tablets. I know many have this
> kind of function though. The Apple tablets are fully accessible. I can't
> really speak to other brands. I currently only use my IPad for entertainment
> purposes-- movies, books, music, apps, etc.-- but I have also considered
> looking into using it with an external keyboard for writing. I'm considering
> jumping ship with PC's altogether and using Macs, though I want to learn
> more about the products. I only use an IPad and IPhone right now. Not sure
> what writing on a Mac would be like compared to a PC.
> 
> Another option is a netbook laptop. I love netbooks. They are perfect for
> writers and don't cost anymore than most tablets. I had a Toshiba netbook I
> loved, but my husband spilled juice all over the keyboard, frown. I have an
> Acer right now, and I don't care for it as much, but it works. Netbooks are
> PC laptops on a small size. I believe mine weighs 2 pounds. My Toshiba had
> as much battery life and RAM as a laptop. My Acer, not as much, but works
> for what I need it for. They turn on and off much quicker than laptops too.
> You can install screenreaders on them-- I use JAWS, and I'm sure you can
> install magnification software too. And of course, you can install MS Office
> and use Word, which I prefer. The keyboard is smaller, which I don't have
> problems with but something to keep in mind. It has all the same keys as
> most laptops, just compact. And it's very portable. My Toshiba was a little
> more expensive, I believe it was around $500, but my Acer was $250, which is
> the cost of a 16 gig IPad.
> 
> For writers, netbooks are great. A computer programmer, maybe not so much,
> grin. But it's another option to consider.
> 
> And also, you can install MS Office and Word on an IPad or Mac if you really
> wanted too.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of DEW Hill via
> stylist
> Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 12:01 PM
> To: Stylist
> Cc: DEW Hill
> Subject: [stylist] advice ab switching from PC+Jaws to tablet for writing?
> 
> Hi Friends,
> There are many times when I don't want to power up my PC but I'd like to be
> able to jot down ideas for a story or article. I like the looks of those
> little tablets everyone has, and I understand they make attachable keyboards
> for them. I think with my hand issues I couldn't use a virtual keyboard. 
> 
> Consumer Reports just did a piece about tablets, and they liked the Sansom
> ones the best. Anyway, any hints about switching to tablets? Does the
> Android screen reader let you do editing on some kind of document file that
> could be then loaded onto my regular Windows 7 PC? Can you use keyboard
> commands for navigation or do you have to use the touch screen? Any hints
> about making the switch would be much appreciated.
> Blessings,
> Donna
> 
> 
> -- The Heart of Applebutter Hill - a novel on a mission:
> 
> http://DonnaWHill.com <http://donnawhill.com/> 
> 
> 
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