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Thread: screen reader recommendations, etc.
Number of posts in this thread: 6 (In chronological order)
From: Harlan, Jane E.
Date: Mon, Mar 20 2006 12:10PM
Subject: screen reader recommendations, etc.
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Greetings. A public library here is planning to equip some of their
computers for patrons with visual impairments. They are looking for
advice on the best software to purchase, as well as hardware
recommendations, if that is relevant.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Jane
Jane Harlan-Simmons
][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Center on Aging and Community
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
2853 E. 10th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47408
][][][][][][][][][][][][
812-855-6508
www.iidc.indiana.edu
From: Kynn Bartlett
Date: Mon, Mar 20 2006 12:40PM
Subject: Re: screen reader recommendations, etc.
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They might want to ask their patrons with visual disabilities and ask them
what software they're already using as well as getting reviews from that
local audience.
--Kynn
On 3/20/06, Harlan, Jane E. < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
>
> Greetings. A public library here is planning to equip some of their computers
> for patrons with visual impairments. They are looking for advice on the
> best software to purchase, as well as hardware recommendations, if that is
> relevant.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Jane
>
> Jane Harlan-Simmons
>
> ][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
>
> *Center on Aging and Community*
>
> *Indiana Institute on Disability and Community*
>
> *2853 E. 10th Street*******
>
> *Bloomington, Indiana 47408*
>
> ][][][][][][][][][][][][
>
> *812-855-6508*
>
> *www.iidc.indiana.edu*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
From: DONALD WONNELL
Date: Mon, Mar 20 2006 1:00PM
Subject: Re: screen reader recommendations, etc.
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JAWS screen reader works - Don Wonnell, Ohio Dept. of Job & Family
Services / Toledo LMI
>>> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = 3/20/2006 2:01 PM >>>
Greetings. A public library here is planning to equip some of their
computers for patrons with visual impairments. They are looking for
advice on the best software to purchase, as well as hardware
recommendations, if that is relevant.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Jane
Jane Harlan-Simmons
][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Center on Aging and Community
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
2853 E. 10th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47408
][][][][][][][][][][][][
812-855-6508
www.iidc.indiana.edu
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From: Austin, Darrel
Date: Mon, Mar 20 2006 1:10PM
Subject: RE: screen reader recommendations, etc.
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> Greetings. A public library here is planning to equip some of
> their computers for patrons with visual impairments. They are
> looking for advice on the best software to purchase, as well
> as hardware recommendations, if that is relevant.
>From 'what is best to use from an end-user perspective' I guess I'd have
to say that's entirely up to those that use screen readers.
>From a business standpoint, I'd probably not choose JAWS by default
simply due to its price. I can see the argument that JAWS is popular but
it's popular because people that need it have already purchased it for
their own computer, so they likely aren't the type of person that would
need to use a public library computer for computer access.
It may be the best option, but I'd look at some of the open source
options first.
Wikiepedia seems to have a good list of options:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screen_readers
-Darrel
From: Paul R. Bohman
Date: Mon, Mar 20 2006 1:40PM
Subject: Re: screen reader recommendations, etc.
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Austin, Darrel wrote:
>>From a business standpoint, I'd probably not choose JAWS by default
> simply due to its price. I can see the argument that JAWS is popular but
> it's popular because people that need it have already purchased it for
> their own computer, so they likely aren't the type of person that would
> need to use a public library computer for computer access.
>
> It may be the best option, but I'd look at some of the open source
> options first.
I'm a strong supporter of the concept of open source software, but I'd
have to say that in this case I'd recommend going with the software that
most people use, which probably means JAWS and/or Window Eyes as far as
screen readers are concerned. I say this because each piece of software
has its own set of keyboard shortcuts which can take quite a while to
learn. The open source packages are Linux-based (not Windows or Mac) and
that would require having someone on hand who knows how to run
Linux-based computers. In addition, if users will be doing anything
other than searching the web, many common software packages such as
Microsoft Office will not be available for these Linux-based computers.
Yes, there are open-source alternatives to MS Office, but most users
will not be familiar with them. I would try to make the software as
"accessible" to the users, not just in terms of disability access, but
also in terms of familiarity.
But screen readers are not the only assistive technology. You should
consider screen enlargers and perhaps other software and/or hardware
such as:
- adjustable-height, wheelchair-accessible tables
- page-turning devices
- alternative input devices (trackball mouse, eye-gaze tracking,
one-handed keyboards, etc.)
- and other assistive technologies (there are thousands of options)
These can get quite expensive, and not all of them are relevant to
visual disabilities, as per your initial email, but there are certainly
other types of disabilities worth accommodating.
--
Paul R. Bohman
Technology Coordinator
Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities (www.kihd.gmu.edu)
George Mason University (www.gmu.edu)
From: Amy Salmon
Date: Mon, Mar 20 2006 1:50PM
Subject: screen reader recommendations, etc.
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Paul R. Bohman
wrote:
But screen readers are not the only assistive technology. You should
consider screen enlargers and perhaps other software and/or hardware
I agree that you should consider other types of access software such as
screen magnification. What about considering the new USB pen alternatives
available? Dolphin offers Super Nova (screen reader, screen magnifier and
braille support) on a USB pen that can be inserted in to any of the library
computers for immediate access. The cost is reasonable and the very nature
of the USB pen makes it flexible to meet the needs of the library. No need
for expensive licenses, etc. Also, Super Nova can be set to use JAWS
commands, making it versatile for users familiar with JAWS keyboard
commands.
Amy Salmon
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =