Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind

  • From: "Octavian Rasnita" <orasnita@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:15:06 +0200

Are you kidding, right? :-)

Some programmers need to do programs that are more complicated than a FruitBasket application, and that editor doesn't solve any problem. It just can help. It is a kind of workaround for those who are forced to use python, but it is not a solution of this problem.

I've spend my time to modify the Jaws scripts because when I press insert+Tab on the desktop or a tree view I don't like to hear "Press left or right arrows to move" or something like that, and I have also made a dictionary set in Outlook Express because I don't like to hear "Outlook Express Message list list view", because it is too long, and I've set it to say just "List view" and "tree view" and nothing more.

So it is horrible to hear Jaws again and again telling me the indentation when I move the cursor up or down and the indentation changes.

It would be much easier to use a normal programming language instead.

Octavian

----- Original Message ----- From: <james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 2:11 PM
Subject: Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind


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"
            <inthaneelf@roadr
            unner.com>                                                 To
            Sent by:                  programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
            programmingblind-                                          cc
            bounce@freelists.
            org                                                   Subject
                                      Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to
                                      Program for the Blind
            11/12/2007 03:01
            AM


            Please respond to
            programmingblind@
              freelists.org






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
  >
  >
  > __________ NOD32 2610 (20071023) Information __________
  >
  > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
  > http://www.eset.com
  >
  >
  > __________
  > View the list's information and change your settings at
  > //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
  >
  > No virus found in this incoming message.
  > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.28/1123 - Release Date:
  > 11/10/2007
  > 3:47 PM
  >
  >
  > No virus found in this outgoing message.
  > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.28/1123 - Release Date:
  > 11/10/2007
  > 3:47 PM
  >
  >
  > __________
  > View the list's information and change your settings at
  > //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
  >

  __________
  View the list's information and change your settings at
  //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind




--
Arnold
http://www.blind411.org
http://www.blind411.org/ITCareers/V'ˊwfjxʋxjض ˢ+)nX

__________
View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind

Other related posts: