It doesn't hurt the student to learn to use Jaws, or to learn to do anything using blindness skills, in my opinion, regardless his visual acuity. I have been blind for 60 years; and those with whom I went to school who had partial sight while in school are totally blind now, or as nearly as makes no difference. It must be remembered we are educating the whole person, and preparing him to live a successful life regardless his age. I believe he should be able to successfully transition and to adjust as his vision deteriorates. Should this not be the case would possessing these skills harm the student? I say no. Because he will learn keyboarding skills which surpass mouse computer navigation. Not to mention causing him to be able to use the computer better generally. He will also learn the life lesson that things others feel to be an essential such as a computers monitor can be done without quite successfully. It will also provide him with the confidence that he will be capable should his vision further deteriorate. So, based on what I just maintained it wouldn't hurt sighted students to use screen readers as well regardless their visual ability. My dear mother use to take children off our neighborhood street and attempt to teach them to touch type using an old typing book for similar reasons. ----- Original Message ----- From: Kimsan Song To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 7:36 PM Subject: RE: jfw for the blind or visually impaired Cy, That was my Original thought. I kind of figured that there were no criteria, which brought me to presenting this discussion or lack of... Where I work, I am part of a multidisciplinary team supporting blind and visually impaired school students and I have observed the teachers for the blind assess these students and reccomend jaws training. My confusion was why when these students are able to read 20 plus pt font just fine, why introduce them to jaws? and when they use computers else where its the same exact set up font wise etc. Meaning, the only time they use jaws is when they are in class with me... Anyways, thanks for your response. Take care.