[blindkid] Need Tech help

Mon Jul 12 11:42:20 UTC 2010

There are several different screen readers.  Besides JAWS there are Window 
Eyes, NVDA, and System Access. I believe they all have free demos.  Serotek 
offers a free version of their software to kids K-12 
(http://serotek.com/kk-main ).  We've found the biggest issue to be dealing 
with what the school will allow on their computers and what the teacher of 
blind students will support.  For several years the only software supported 
was JAWS.  Now we are leaning towards a Mac for a laptop with its built in 
VoiceOver screen reader and using a BrailleNote as a braille display and 
note taker.  Unfortunately there is not one definitive answer.  We've been 
very happy with the tech support we've received from Humanware with the 
BrailleNote.  Freedom Scientific has become more helpful in the past year 
with questions about JAWS.

The most cost effective solution is free screen reader software on a laptop 
but for a braille reader, getting braille under your fingers is very 
important at age 9.  I think that some sort of refreshable braille is great. 
The new notetakers are so light and can do so much.  You might want to call 
the different note taker companies and see if they will have a sales rep 
come to the school to demonstrate the technology.  It is a big purchase so 
you should be able to take a look at it before you buy.

Sally Thomas

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
To: <jjordan_pa at yahoo.com>; "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of 
blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2010 8:01 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Need Tech help

> We have been through similar frustrations. I expect we all have to  sort 
> through this business at one time or another. Not to state the  obvious, 
> but it depends on what her peers are doing exactly. There are  definitely 
> a lot of questions to ask before you get out your checkbook  and you also 
> need to have some idea of your budget limit because this  can get costly 
> very quickly. (Yet it may also be fairly cheap to start!)
>
> Here are a few questions that come to mind for starters--
>
> Mac or PC?
> Blind or Low Vision (or both)? (This drives discussions about screen 
> readers and refreshable braille and so forth).
> Assuming she's a braille reader are you trying to come up with 
> refreshable braille?
> Are you hoping to produce embossed output in braille?
> Are you wanting to use a screen reader?
> What computer applications do you hope to use?
> Do you need web access?
> Are you certain you want a conventional computer as compared to  something 
> like a PAC Mate or a Braille Note?
>
>
> The first thing to do would be to list out your goals and probably to 
> prioritize them as well. If this is a low vision situation as compared  to 
> a blindness issue for example, there are ways to magnify text and 
> increase contrast that aren't terribly expensive or even free in some 
> cases. Is this mostly about web access or maybe printing out stories  she 
> writes? The questions go on and on...
>
> If you're using a PC and want a screen reader, JAWS costs $900 to  $1100 
> but you can also get a demo version (for free!) that runs about  45 or 50 
> minutes. After that you have to restart the machine before it  will work 
> again, but again, it is free to try.
>
> If you have or will get a BrailleNote or PAC Mate you may have a no- 
> additional-cost solution right there for refreshable braille  (depending 
> on the model).
>
> For embossing braille you either need to think used equipment or  budget 
> close $3000 for that alone, but if you have a decent PC  available and 
> just want a screen reader, you may be able to get a  temporary solution 
> going with only a free download. Sometimes, you can  get the school to 
> print things out for you and avoid buying an  embosser & the related 
> software for that.
>
> What does she use at school? Do they have any equipment to let her use  at 
> home? Do you have to buy a new PC or do you already have one for  her? 
> Ideally, I'd say go to NFB convention and see all sorts of things  on 
> display but that just happened last week, so unless you have a  state 
> convention coming up with a technology display, that may not be  soon 
> enough since the Dallas National convention was only last week  (the 
> national convention won't happen again until Orlando in July 2011).
>
> Feel free to reply with more details for more suggestions though it  may 
> be best to take this off list as the discussion can become tedious  for so 
> many to be reading through.
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 11, 2010, at 6:54 PM, jjordan_pa at yahoo.com wrote:
>
>> Anybody out there know what would be the best set up for my daughter  as 
>> far as computer technology? There are so many "things" out there  and it 
>> is all so expensive. Can't exactly buy it and "hope" that it  is useful. 
>> I need to "know" that it is useful before I purchase.  What do I need so 
>> that my 9 year old can use a computer like her  peers? I am so frustrated 
>> right now and don't know where to turn.  HELP!!
>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
>
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