[blindkid] Why JAWS?

[Arielle Silverman]

I think part of it depends on what size Braille display she would get
if she went the JAWS plus Braille display route. If it's a portable
display like RefreshaBraille, she probably doesn't need a notetaker on
top of that. But if the Braille display they want to get is a huge 40
or 80-cell one, she may need the notetaker for portability. Personally
if I were the one doing the tech assessment, I would probably
recommend getting a small Braille display and a lightweight PC like a
netbook or ultrabook.  Netbooks are inexpensive, portable and have
long battery lives and I don't know of anything an elementary student
would do that couldn't be done on a netbook. RefreshaBraille from APH
can connect to the computer via USB or bluetooth if the computer is
bluetooth-enabled. It can also connect very easily with Macs and Apple
devices like iPhones, so if she were to get a Braille display she
could potentially have Braille access on your home computer as well,
though I suppose the same could be said of notetakers. While I haven't
used a notetaker since 2010, my experiences surfing the Internet with
Braille Notes has not been great. She definitely needs access to
either a Mac or PC though I'm not knowledgeable enough to comment on
which one is more critical to learn first. I do think once she learns
one operating system, she can self-teach another one if that becomes
necessary.
Arielle

On 3/6/13, Allison Hilliker <AllisonH at benetech.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hi folks,
>
> Just a note to mention that one doesn't have to use JAWS in order to become
> proficient with using Windows with a screenreader. While I agree that
> understanding Windows and MS Office is important for future success in the
> business world, JAWS isn't the only screenreading solution for Windows.
> Serotek provides its screenreader, System Access, for free to K-12 students.
> And the screenreader NVDA is free for everyone. Either of these may work for
> a student whose teacher is reluctant to pay $800+ for JAWS.
>
> Just my thoughts.
>
> Allison
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brandon and
> Sarah
> Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 3:28 PM
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindkid] Why JAWS?
>
> 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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