[blindkid] Why JAWS?

[jim at riversedgehomes.com]

Hi Brandon,

Grrrr. Cost is NOT supposed to be a factor on what needs are met in the IEP.

The answer, of course, is both. The notetaker is critical for Emilia's
exposure to and use of Braille. It is essential.

Use of a standard is critical for Emilia's exposure to the world of the
rest of us. It' what's expected in business and collegiate life. It is
fortunate that Mac has Voiceover. But, in my opinion, not knowing the JAWS
commands will limit Emilia to running MAC systems only and prevent her
from access to Microsoft products in her future.

Lauren uses both now, but she is grateful that she knows JAWS so well.

My two cents,

JIm


> I'm trying to make sense of a recent conversation with our daughter's
> TVI, who I realize is not up speed on technology - to be fair, neither
> am I. We were discussing a braille notetaker vs. braille display +
> computer. The TVI thinks she can justify the cost of a notetaker to
> the district by not having to get JAWS. Her impression is that JAWS is
> only for screenreading of internet material, which a notetaker can
> theoretically do. Here is my question for those who are ahead of us on
> this issue: If you have a notetaker at the elementary level and home
> computer access with Voiceover, is there a strong reason to have/learn
> JAWS? We have the MS Office for Mac on the home computer, so I'm less
> concerned about Emilia missing out on the Windows experience than I am
> about her getting more acquainted with accessing school curriculum,
> doing school work, etc. by electronic means. Thanks. Brandon
>
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