Re: jfw for the blind or visually impaired

  • From: <djasister@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:58:36 -0500

Magic and jaws are desinged to work togher.

From: angel238@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 6:24 AM
To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Subject: Re: jfw for the blind or visually impaired

It depends on whether the client's vision is expected to deteriorate further.  
If not one of the screen magnification programs such as Magic, manufactured by 
Freedom Scientific, or Zoom Text, manufactured by AISquared might serve equally 
as well.  Without the negative stigma he might feel about "going blind".    
They magnify up to twenty times the regular font.  If his vision surely is 
expected to deteriorate  whether he uses a screen reader which involves no 
interaction with the computer's mouse depends on how comfortable he might be 
with the transition.  Before the investment is made,  personal or otherwise, a 
Demonstration copy of Jaws, and its competitor Window-eyes manufactured by 
GWMicro can be asked for at no charge.  These demonstration copies will run for 
a length of time before one is required to reboot to reactivate them.  This 
will enable him to get a feel for the various screen readers out there.  There 
is also a free screen reader called NVDA many blind people use and find quite 
satisfactory for general applications such as basic word processing e-mail ETC. 
 Many large cities might offer free Jaws training through their local branch of 
the regional library for the blind and physically handicapped.  Most regional 
libraries use Jaws as their screen readers I would assume.  This assumption is 
based on my experience with my particular regional library.  This is often one 
on one training, and needs to be scheduled.  He might want to talk to the 
technology specialist at his local branch about this.  Though rehabilitation 
training centers offer Jaws training, this is usually scheduled through the 
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services for the visually impaired, (bsvi) Arranging 
training by means of this method is quite expensive, however.  And is dependent 
on whether the client qualifies for rehabilitation services.  This often means: 
 In order to be trained to use a screen reader he must have an employment goal. 
 Or must have a job at which he would be expected to use these computer skills. 
 Though, this training may be the most comprehensive, it is also the most 
expensive; and is out of the price range for most private individuals.  I do 
hope this has assisted you, and has helped to answer the questions you might 
have.   
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cy Selfridge 
  To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 6:53 PM
  Subject: RE: jfw for the blind or visually impaired

  Kimsan,

  I doubt if there is any real criteria for recommending a client use JAWS.

  There are simply too many factors to take into consideration. 

  I suppose one neat way to decide is when the client decides to learn to touch 
type rather than hunt and peck or have to look at the keyboard in order to 
type. (LOLLOLLOL)

  Cy, The Anasazi

   

  From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Kimsan Song
  Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 4:18 PM
  To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: jfw for the blind or visually impaired

   

  Hello:

  I wanted to post this here seeing as this mailing list gets lots of traffick.

  My question is concerning the use of jaws and is the "screen" reader mainly 
used for completely blind individuals or partially sighted individuals?

  I am not a teacher for the blind, so it is interesting to me when a person is 
told due to his or her "lack of vision" jaws will be reccomended. So, the 
question raised here is where would a persons vision need to be at in order to 
use jaws? If someone can read 20 point font or higher would jaws be necessary?

  Any feedback would be appreciated.

  Take care.

   

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