[accesscomp] FW: Overcoming the Frustrations of Using a Computer If You Are Visually Impaired or Blind, Dan's tip for September 29 2014
- From: "Robert Acosta" <boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "tektalk discussion" <tektalkdiscussion@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 07:58:24 -0700
Robert Acosta, President
Helping Hands for the Blind
(818) 998-0044
www.helpinghands4theblind.org
From: dan Thompson [mailto:dthompson5@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 5:43 AM
To: dan Thompson
Subject: Overcoming the Frustrations of Using a Computer If You Are Visually
Impaired or Blind, Dan's tip for September 29 2014
While today's tip may be common knowledge to some on this list, perhaps you
know of a friend, client or acquaintance
who would welcome this resource. This article contains links and very
useful information regarding a wide range of low cost assistive technology
adaptations that would significantly enhance one's ability to enjoy a high
qualityof life. For some this is returning to a life style enjoyed before
sight loss began. For others, gaining independence may be the primary goal.
I commend the authors of this document for providing keystrokes, tips and
links to obtaining or experimenting with the suggested tools for success.
Text of web addresses (URL), have been inserted by Dan.
Main article is below.
Overcoming the Frustrations of Using a Computer If You Are Visually Impaired
or Blind
Contributed by Steven Kelley
VisionAware
http://www.visionaware.org/info/everyday-living/essential-skills/reading-and
-writing/using-a-computer/low-cost-computing/12345
A newly referred client said to me recently, "I had to give up using the
computer, because the print was too small to read any more." She is not my
first client to say this. Vision loss for computer users creates real
frustration-the inability to continue email communication with family,
reading web pages and documents, and genuine concern regarding using a
computer at work. Vision loss may very well affect the way you access a
computer, but it doesn't mean giving up the computer entirely, unless this
is as good an excuse as any to stop using it! Computers are increasingly
accessible, and there are many low cost alternatives to computer access with
a vision loss.
Computers have changed dramatically in a short time with increased speed,
alternative operating systems, lower cost, the introduction of tablets, and
the increased availability of access technology. In the case of the recent
client mentioned earlier, the access technology needed was a screen
magnifier. Because she'd had relatively good vision most of her life, she
never needed a screen magnifier until now, and didn't know such a thing even
existed. In fact, she just assumed that with the onset of low vision or
blindness, using the computer was no longer an option.
Software to make computers accessible for blind and low vision users has
been around for many years, and is even built into many of the devices we
use today includingsmart phones; tablets; and Windows and Mac computers.
The Accessibility of Windows
Fortunately this client was using a Windows 7 computer with a built in
screen magnifier. We turned on the computer, and she was instructed to press
and hold the Windows Key (bottom row of the keyboard, between the CTR and
ALT keys) and then press the number pad "+" key. To her delight, this
immediately magnified the screen. We made some changes to the Magnifier
settings to optimize it for her, and she was able to resume reading her
email. Windows 8 computers have the same built in magnifier, which uses the
same keyboard shortcuts:
. Windows Key + Number Pad "+" turns the magnifier on and increases
magnification
. Windows Key + Number Pad "-" reduces magnification
. Windows Key + Esc turns the magnifier off
Please note that Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Starter versions do not
support Aero Themes which are required for full screen magnification in
Windows 7. If you have these versions you will only be able to use the Lens
and Docked version of the magnifier.
If you are part of the 25% of Windows users still clinging to Windows XP
(according to CoolBlindTech.com), you too have a magnifier, although it has
much fewer options than in newer versions of Windows. To open this magnifier
press Start>All Programs>Accessories>Accessibility>Magnifier.
A full screen magnifier that will run with Windows XP and costs nothing is
<http://users.telenet.be/littlegems/MySoft/DesktopZoom/Index.html> Desktop
Zoom, which may be downloaded here.
http://users.telenet.be/littlegems/MySoft/DesktopZoom/Index.html
Low Cost Screen Readers
If you need more access than a screen magnifier provides, you're probably
looking for a screen reader, software that reads what's on the screen and
converts printed text into spoken words. Windows has offered a screen reader
called Narrator as part of the built-in accessibility features, however, it
has never really been robust enough to do more than the most basic of
computing functions. The most recent version, in Windows 8 has more features
but is still not enough to provide comprehensive access to the computer.
Two excellent low-cost alternatives for screen reading include NVDA
(http://www.nvaccess.org - http://www.nvaccess.org), and Window Eyes
(http://www.windoweyesforoffice.com). NVDA is open source software that is
available to download and use free of charge. There is a version that will
work on Windows systems from Windows XP through Windows 8. NVDA works with a
wide variety of Windows applications such as Microsoft Office, Open Office,
Internet Explorer, and Firefox, providing a great deal of overall computer
access. A great starting point with NVDA is a
<http://www.hadley.edu/seminardetails.asp?sid=> recent seminar at Hadley
School for the Blind , presented by Michael Curran, the founder and lead
developer of NVDA.
This presentation entitled, "An overview of the NVDA ScreenReader" can be
found here:
http://www.hadley.edu/PastSeminars.asp
Window Eyes, on the other hand, was developed as a commercial product, and
in a recent partnership with Microsoft is also available at no cost for
users of Microsoft Office 2010 or 2013. Window Eyes has many tutorials and
webinar archives on their website in their
<http://www.windoweyesforoffice.com/Support> Support section.
The direct link is here:
http://www.windoweyesforoffice.com/Support/
Computers for the Blind
http://www.computersfortheblind.net/
Wouldn't it be great if someone just assembled the best of these low-cost
Windows accessibility tools and just put them on one low-cost computer? A
non-profit named <http://www.computersfortheblind.net/> Computers For The
Blind (CFTB) has done just that! CFTB provides refurbished Windows 7
computers preloaded with accessibility software like NVDA, a trial version
of Window Eyes, a trial version of ZoomText screen magnifier plus
productivity software like Open Office, Firefox Web browser, and more.
Computers are available to consumers with a verified vision loss for a
donation of $110 for a desktop unit or $160 for a laptop. The computers come
with everything needed: keyboard; mouse; speakers; and include a 17-21 inch
flat screen monitor for low vision users.
For low vision users looking for a screen magnifier with more features than
the one built into Windows 7, Computers for the Blind includes a 60-day
trial version of
<http://www.aisquared.com/zoomtext%20-%20http:/www.aisquared.com/zoomtext>
ZoomText. This copy may be licensed through CFTB for $199, which is a $400
savings over the regular cost of ZoomText! This, by the way, is a fully
licensed copy of ZoomText that may be used or transferred to another
computer as needed. ZoomText takes screen magnification much further than
the built-in Windows screen magnifier. It includes font smoothing for much
crisper text and images at greater magnification, and text-to-speech
features to permit documents and Web pages to be read aloud easily.
Apple Macintosh Computers
Although a computer running Windows can offer the widest array of
accessibility options, it is certainly not the only solution to low cost
accessible computing. The Apple Macintosh computers have included
accessibility options since the release of their operating system called
Tiger in 2005. That means, there are a great number of older Macs out there
with the Zoom screen magnifier, and VoiceOver screen reader. Both Zoom and
VoiceOver can be turned on by going into the System Preferences and
selecting Universal Access. In the latest Mac operating system, go to System
Preference and select Accessibility.
VoiceOver and Zoom have also been available for several years on the Apple
iOS devices, which include the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Just as they
are on the Mac, they are built into the operating system, so there is no
additional software to buy or use. VoiceOver and Zoom make these devices
fully accessible using gestures, and an onscreen keyboard. Some users may
find that by adding a wireless keyboard to these devices, depending on what
you are using them for, they can be just as accessible as a full-size
computer! To reduce costs go to the
<http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals> Apple Store's website
for refurbished items.
The direct link is here.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals
Here's a tip when purchasing an older iPad for a user who is blind or
visually impaired: purchase an iPad newer than the 2nd generation to get
both a camera, and SIRI built in. The camera can be used with some
applications as a magnifier, and SIRI is software that acts as a digital
assistant and is responsive to some voice commands.
Kindle Fire
http://www.visionaware.org/community/announcements/the-kindle-fire-tablet/12
The latest version of the
<http://www.visionaware.org/community/announcements/the-kindle-fire-tablet/1
2> Kindle Fire, the HD and HDX, and the most recent version of the Android
operating system, called KitKat, found on newer tablets and some smart
phones, have made significant improvements in accessibility. Like the iOS
devices, accessibility is built into the operating system and will be found
under Settings, Accessibility. For vision, these accessibility features
include a Screen Reader called Talkback, Large Fonts, and Screen Magnifier
or Magnification Gestures. These Android devices may also be used with a
wireless keyboard to provide a suitable alternative for some computing
activities, including reading books, answering emails, and accessing the
Web. A 7-inch Kindle Fire HD tablet new is $139 from Amazon.com, and a
Samsung Galaxy tablet with the latest version of the Android operating
system is $199, making them both low cost alternatives. For this writer
however, the Android system has less overall accessibility than some of the
other alternatives suggested.
Regardless of which low-cost alternative you choose, unless you are familiar
with these devices, or the accessibility features used, there will be some
learning curve involved. There are more options now for using a computer
with a vision loss, than ever before, and many of those options are at a
much lower cost, or built right into the existing operating systems. After
reading this article, you may not be able to say, "I had to give up using
the computer because I couldn't read the screen."
"Without the Way there is no going; without the Truth there is no knowing;
without the Life there is no living."
-Thomas A Kempis
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