Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind

  • From: james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx
  • To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:11:53 -0500

Hi,
EdSharp and JAWS sound schemes both cure this problem. Besides that, there
are probably programs that can fix indentation issues. I don'tfeel this is
a problem. We have a Python fruit basket program do we not?

Jim e

James D Homme, , Usability Engineering, Highmark Inc.,
james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx, 412-544-1810

"Never doubt that a thoughtful group of committed citizens can change the
world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead



                                                                           
             "inthaneelf"                                                  
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I was thinking the same thing, but didn't want to argue with the gent over
it.

especially since he has already done a lot of work on this area, and
probably with python as the central point of it.

but as long as it's been said, then I might as well put my 2 ¢worth in.

respects,
inthane
• For Blind Programming assistance, Information, Useful Programs, and Links
to Jamal Mazrui's Text tutorial packages and Applications, visit me at:
http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
• to be able to view a simple programming project in several programming
languages, visit the Fruit basket demo site at:
http://fruitbasketdemo.alacorncomputer.com
 ----- Original Message -----
 From: Octavian Rasnita
 To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 10:58 PM
 Subject: Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind

 Unfortunately Python is one of the most blind-unfriendly languages because
 of its requirement for indentation, so I don't think a blind person should
 start programming with python, because she or he might think that the
 indentation is important for all the languages.

 Octavian
 ----- Original Message -----
 From: Arnold Bailey
 To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 1:27 AM
 Subject: Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind

 Chris,

 I have also been looking into the same issue. If you look at my website
 http://www.blind411.org/ITCareers/ under teachers"->course plans, I am
 building a series of course sessions. These are being presented to blind
 and visually impaired middle and high school students in our school
 district. In my approach I will:

 1. Introduce Information Technology as a career. You'll see the
 presentation link.
 2. I decided on Python to introduce the concept of programming. It is an
 interpretive and can be executed interactively. This allows hands on and
 experience the results immediately. Also, the  IDLE (GUI) interface seems
 to be better for the  visually impaired because of the font; and, the
 command line interface is needed for Jaws for the blind students. You'll
 see a link to my scenario. Downloading and installing python is easy.
 You'll see the link there also.
 3. My next plan is to teach Java to any of the students who feel like
 trying programming. I picked Java because it is widely taught in colleges
 as an introduction to compsci. It is also C like and it is object
 oriented. If you click in the nav links on learning Java, you see the
 links to install it and some tutorials.

 The site is intended for student instruction. The references and links
 were largely gotten through  this mailing list by a lot of generous and
 knowledgeable programmers. I kept references/tutorials/etc. to a minimum
 because there is way too much information out there. Sometimes focus is
 needed.

 I have many years of programming experience in more languages than I care
 to admit. I have only a minimal cursory knowledge of Java; but, when I
 start instruction, I'll read up on the Java tutorials. I planned to
 instruct via email/skype and the online tutorials; but, I haven't gotten
 to that point yet. In a couple months, I should be ready.

 Contact me via email if I can help in any way.

 Arnold


 On Nov 11, 2007 4:10 PM, inthaneelf <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
   Chris,

   I don't totally agree with the statement about learning jaws scripting
   to
   learn programming, but the rest of those recommendations work.  more on
   this
   though, is what programming instructional classes (both in there high
   school, and outside/after)are available in there area.

   if any or all the basic languages are readily available, then what does
   he
   wish to program, as we all know, the language should be based on his
   learning style, and what he wishes to do, anywhere from visual basic.net
   and
   C#, to java, to C and C++ or raw assembler are available to him, along
   with
   html, xhtml, xml, asp.net incorporated with C# or VB, PHP, and the rest
   of
   that group.

   so, I'd say that the main question is what does this student wish to do,

   then they can go from there!

   if you want, give the person that contacted you my E mail and I'd be
   more
   than willing to talk with them at length on what can be done, and since
   I am
   an information monger, and not much of a programmer, but do have some
   knowledge in programming, I think... I'm not as set in stone as to a
   particular language or learning method, so may be able to tackle it with
   a
   bit more "All around lack of preference".

   HTH,
   Inthane
   • For Blind Programming assistance, Information, Useful Programs, and
   Links
   to Jamal Mazrui's Text tutorial packages and Applications, visit me at:
   http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
   • to be able to view a simple programming project in several programming
   languages, visit the Fruit basket demo site at:
   http://fruitbasketdemo.alacorncomputer.com

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: "Joseph Lee" <joseph.lee22590@xxxxxxxxx >
   To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
   Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 7:50 AM
   Subject: RE: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind


   > Hi there,
   > I would presonally recommend this student to:
   > * Subscribe to number of mailing list such as Blind Programming list.
   > * Search on Google for tutorials on basic programming.
   > * Take online AP Computer Science course to learn about Java, object
   > oriented programming, etc.
   > The best way to start in programming would be learning about JAWS
   scripts.
   > This should allow a student to learn how JAWS actually works, under
   what a
   > variable, function and other things in programming mean and to learn
   how
   > to
   > interpret script languages. Then I would recommend this person to
   study C
   > or
   > Java. Or, if the student is interested, he can learn HTML to code
   > websites.
   > Cheers,
   > Joseph P.S. I'm also a high school student so I understand Wilkins'
   > situation.
   >
   > -----Original Message-----
   > From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
   > [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chris
   > Hofstader
   > Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 7:38 AM
   > To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
   > Subject: FW: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind
   >
   > Can people here help this person?
   >
   > -----Original Message-----
   > From: Anya Kogan [mailto:akogan3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
   > Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:47 PM
   > To: Chris.Hofstader@xxxxxxxxxxx
   > Subject: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind
   >
   > Hi Chris,
   >
   > I am a graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology and
   also a
   > new volunteer at the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta.  I
   > assist
   > in teaching the computer class there to blind and visually impaired
   > students.  I am sighted myself and very new to the challenges of being

   > visually impaired.  One of my students is a blind high-school age boy
   > named
   > Wilkens.  Wilkens is very proficient in the computer basics using
   Jaws.
   > He
   > very quickly and easily surfs the net, types on Microsoft Word and
   uses
   > Microsoft Excel.  He has now expressed interest in learning to
   program.  I
   > am very new to programming myself, but would be willing to learn.
   > However,
   > how can I teach or at least assist a blind young man to program?  I am
   not
   > even sure where to begin.  Can you recommend any resources or lend
   > any advice on this topic?  Do you know of any online tutorials?
   > Courses?  What language should he start with?  Is there a first
   project
   > that
   > would benefit him?  Any help that you can lend me would be most
   > appreciated.
   > Wilkens has a lot of drive and I would hate to have that go to waste.
   >
   > Best,
   > Anya
   >
   >
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 --
 Arnold
 http://www.blind411.org
 http://www.blind411.org/ITCareers/

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