[optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers

  • From: Judy Jones <Judy.Jones@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:45:25 +0000

If it were not for the Optacon, I would need reader services on my job.  It is 
the only equipment out there that can properly read bills and insurance forms.

I also usit to find a signature line as needed.  When I find the signature 
line, I move to the right of the beginning of it about a half inch, as the 
housing of the hand camera itself takes up a bit more room.  I hold the camera 
in place, take a stylus, find the indent in the nose of the camera and make a 
dot.  I then turn the paper face down to find the dot, then fold the paper 
right on that line where the dot is, making sure edges match to get a straight 
fold.  I turn the paper back over, and what I have is a straight raised line.  
If necessary one can push the dot with the stylus from the underside back out 
so it is clearly tactile and shows the beginning of the line.  With practice, I 
can mark a line spot on.  You can then test to see if the raised line you made 
is exactly on the printed line.

I have also marked a space where I need to type in something, and that works, 
too.

I am able to find blank spots on a document to date stamp.

I also use old envelopes or scrap paper to make sure my date stamp is correct 
when changing it.

I also check my signature and can correct myself if it gets sloppy.

When the mail comes in, I can spot check it, then use my scanner for involved 
documents that would take more time.

One of my colleagues has excellent readable printing for optacon, and I enjoy 
working with her paperwork. Everyone is not so fortunate.

At home, I can read round ites' labels, such as bottles and cans.

To answer your other question, I did know print before learning the Optacon.  
My parents had me reading any raised print they could find when I was little.

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Robert Feinstein
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 11:54 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Hi, Optaconers

Just wanted to make a few comments.  this is Robert in Brooklyn.

I had one of my optacons made to work only on electricity by Richard and it 
works beautifully.  I have been using it quite a bit, and getting back to my 
former optacon using self.

I am convinced that we who use the optacon are truly lucky because we have a 
really excellent idea not only of what print is like, but how things are 
arranged on a page, or how a check is laid out, etc.

I find that when I get mail, I read at least half a page with the optacon, and 
then use my sara reading machine.  That way, I keep in practice, and take 
advantage of both systems.

I received a check today, and it said "only valid with two authorized 
signatures".  I could read where it said "authorized signature" and it said it 
twice, and I could feel that the check had been signed two times.
This really was incredible for me to be able to do.  Is this piece of 
information important, probably not, but I truly got a kick out of knowing it. 

I think that if the optacon had been marketed by explaining what one could 
read, instead of concentrating on speed of reading, it might have done better.

I had no idea of what print was like, but thanks to the optacon, I know my 
letters, numbers, and can read things that are underlined, and even a bit of 
italics, although that is very slow and difficult for me, and I don't usually 
spend the time to try to decipher it.  But regular, clear print, I can say I am 
doing quite well.

By the way, I tried to use other fingers besides my index, but can't make 
anything out.  I also discovered that I was keeping my letters a bit too large, 
and making them smaller, so they take up less room on my finger, enables me to 
read better.

Do many of you use your optacons on a daily basis?  Do you think it would be 
harder to manage without an optacon?  Are you glad you learned it?  Do you use 
it in conjunction with a scanner or reading machine?  Did you know print before 
getting your optacon, or did you have to learn the letters like I did?

Warmest regards,
Robert in Brooklyn
PS: I remember one question from the optacon manual: What time is it when an 
elephant sits on an optacon?  time to get a new optacon.  When I was learning 
to use the optacon, that took me about 8 minutes to read.  (sad
smile)

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