[blindkid] Need Tech help

Sally Thomas seacknit at gmail.com
Mon Jul 12 19:43:00 UTC 2010


The Mac interfaces well with the Braillenote.  You can input with the 
keyboard on the Mac or the notetaker.  The text is read out audibly and in 
braille.  It is easy to connect.  My son likes the Apple voice--Alex.  Check 
out their website-- http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ --It may answer more 
of your questions.

There is no perfect solution right now.  Since Apple is making a big effort 
in accessibility and the VoiceOver technology is integrated with the 
SnowLeopard software, I feel comfortable using the technology.  We also have 
several other computers at home--all PC--so going back and forth, if needed, 
is not a problem.  Then there is the ability to make a virtual Windows 
machine on the Mac, if necessary.

My son loves technology and loves to try all the different screen readers. 
We have a copy of JAWS at home and he has downloaded all the other screen 
reader demos to try out.  He has an iPod touch and loves its accessibility. 
He can send and receive email easily and he found an app that lets him send 
text messages when he has available WiFi.

So maybe I should clarify my comments by saying that we are open to all the 
available technology.  Since there isn't one tool that can do it all, people 
need to do their research, weigh all the options and make the choice that 
suits them best.  I'm really hoping that Dean Blazie will be able to get his 
new technology to market soon.  At the NFB convention he talked about a new 
notetaker that would cost around $2500.  While that's still a lot of money, 
it's a step in the right direction.  He seems like a visionary in 
accessibility and he is thinking about how to make the technology 
affordable.  He's also working on new braille display technology.  The 
future seems bright indeed.

Sally Thomas
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Need Tech help


>I must conceded that Macs are generally more stable and reliable but  PC's 
>have come a long way in recent years themselves. This, again,  from a 
>die-hard Mac fan.
>
> I am delighted to hear of the BrailleNote's connectivity with a Mac.  On 
> what lever are the two interacting? This is for data transfer only?  Or to 
> monitor functions on the BrailleNote through the terminal? Or  can you in 
> fact use the BrailleNote as a Braille Display?
>
> I may need to explore more with connecting Kendra's gear to Macs  before I 
> say much more on this topic, though I maintain that there is  something 
> nice about going with one solution that is designed to work  all 
> together-- PAC-Mate, JAWS, PC, Embosser, Duxbury, etc.
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 12, 2010, at 11:43 AM, Sally Thomas wrote:
>
>> My son prefers the Mac interface because it is easier to use and  less 
>> prone to jamming up.  While JAWS can access some Flash content,  the 
>> information it gives you is not always useful.   I'm told that  on many 
>> sites it reads links as "button," providing no useful  information about 
>> the content.  Also, in our schools, the Cartoon  Network is blocked by 
>> the district network so it is inaccessible to  all students.  The 
>> usefulness of different computer types depends on  the child's needs.
>>
>> A good thing about a Mac is that it is easy to set up a virtual  machine 
>> on it and run Windows as well as the Mac software.  Many  people who like 
>> Microsoft Office and the Apple hardware do this.   Apple is working hard 
>> on accessibility.  The iPhone is the most  fully accessible phone 
>> available right now and the Apple website  lists all the braille devices 
>> with which it is compatible.  My son  was able to connect his BrailleNote 
>> to a Mac at the Apple store in  about 5 minutes without any assistance. 
>> He's 13.
>>
>> While I think it is great that there are people working on  accessible 
>> technology for kids, it is too simple to say that there  is one perfect 
>> solution right now.  We've struggled with JAWS and a  PC for several 
>> years. A blind person cannot get the full internet  experience with that 
>> technology right now because not all Flash  content is accessible with 
>> JAWS.
>>
>> Sally Thomas
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thea Eaton" <thea at doodledoo.com>
>> To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind  children)'" 
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 10:00 AM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Need Tech help
>>
>>
>>>
>>> With the Mac, you will not get a full internet experience, however.  The
>>> voice over screen reader is very limited. A 9 year old child, will  want 
>>> to
>>> access educational content and games online that will be Flash. We  are
>>> working with Cartoon Network right now, for example, in making a  fully
>>> accessible children's site for kids about nutrition. If they would 
>>> access
>>> this in the classroom, then Mac users would not be able to access  this
>>> content, or play the accessible Flash games that come with it. I  would
>>> therefore strongly recommend against Macs for children at this  time, 
>>> until
>>> they become more accessible.
>>>
>>> Thea Eaton
>>> DoodleDoo
>>> Where early birds learn.
>>> www.doodledoo.com
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid- bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>> On
>>> Behalf Of Brandy W
>>> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 9:36 AM
>>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Need Tech help
>>>
>>> Mac is also a great option for 2 reasons. It comes with voice over 
>>> which
>>> many many blind people are using and for a child they wouldn't have  the
>>> prior knowledge of a windows computer. Mac is also supporting Braille
>>> desplays. So Yes Mac is an option. Each has their Pros and cons.
>>>
>>> Bran
>>>
>>> "Families that play together learn together!"
>>> Brandy Wojcik
>>> Discovery Toys Educational Leader
>>> Check out our new spring line perfect for spring time learning and 
>>> Easter
>>> baskets and more...
>>> www.playtoachieve.com
>>> (512) 689-5045
>>>
>>> Discovery Toys wants to be a part of your family's learning success  and 
>>> here
>>>
>>> are a few ways we can help:
>>> * Join my team and recieve 18 award winning products for $125
>>> * Host a fun get together with friends and earn free Educational 
>>> products,
>>> * Purchase award winning educational materials on my webpage,
>>> * Purchase or get free gift baskets for children of all ages
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thea Eaton" <thea at doodledoo.com>
>>> To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'"
>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 9:04 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Need Tech help
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> For a 9 year old computer user, we would recommend a PC with a  screen
>>>> reader
>>>> that is MSAA compatible, such as JAWS or Window Eyes. These screen 
>>>> readers
>>>> can access Flash content, wich will allow your daughter to access
>>>> accessible
>>>> Flash games and children's content on the web, and also any Flash 
>>>> modules
>>>> that they use at school.
>>>>
>>>> We build accessible Flash applications for educational publishers  such 
>>>> as
>>>> Harcourt School and Pearson, who are increasingly putting their book
>>>> content
>>>> out there online. Most of their ebOok and enrichment content is  Flash
>>>> content, so I would make sure that you choose a screen reader that  is
>>>> Flash
>>>> compatible. Most these screen readers do not work on a Mac, I'm 
>>>> afraid, so
>>>
>>>> I
>>>> would not get a Mac.
>>>>
>>>> Thea Eaton
>>>> DoodleDoo
>>>> Where early birds learn.
>>>> www.doodledoo.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org ] 
>>>> On
>>>> Behalf Of Sally Thomas
>>>> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 6:42 AM
>>>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Need Tech help
>>>>
>>>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for
>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.c
>>>> om
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for
>>>> blindkid:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/thea%40doodledoo.c
>>>> om
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for
>>>> blindkid:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/branlw%40sbcglobal
>>> .net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/thea%40doodledoo.c
>>> om
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for 
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for 
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/rholloway%40gopbc.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com 





More information about the BlindKid mailing list