Rebecca's Blog

Assistive Technology

Victor Reader Stream - an Overview

A number of my blind and partially sighted clients now use a Victor Reader Stream, so I thought it a good time to share some information about it on this website. My clients use it for a number of things. Here's some of them:
  • to listen to to mp3 music files;
  • listen to DAISY format books;
  • listen to other audio audio books such as those from Audible;
  • listen to mp3 audio files and books;
  • listen to text files;
  • have a library of voice notes.
The books are novels, biography, magazines, and eve…

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Comparison of screen readers from Wikipedia

Found this on  Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, and thought it might be useful for you, my website visitors.

Screen readers are a form of assistive technology.

Contents

  • 1 Contemporary screen readers
  • 2 Unfinished Screenreader Projects
  • 3 Historical interest
  • 4 Software aids for people with reading difficulties
  • 5 References

Contemporary screen readers

Screen reader Creator Supported platforms License Notes
95Reader SSCT Windows Commercial Japanese screen reader
Blindows BAUM Retec…

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Refreshable Braille display

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Refreshable Braille display
Braille display combined with a keyboard.

A refreshable Braille display or Braille terminal is an electro-mechanical device for displaying Braille characters, usually by means of raising dots through holes in a flat surface. Blind computer users, who cannot use a normal computer monitor, use it to read text output. Speech synthesizers are also commonly used for the same task, and a blind user may switch between the two systems …

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SuperNova v.11 Just Out

Doplphin have just released version 11 of their Screen Reader and Magnification software suites (SuperNova, Hal, Lunar and Lunar Plus).  I haven't had a chance to look at it myself yet. However here's a what caught my eye in the new version
  • 64-bit Windows Support - I suppose there are ordinary people out there who are using the 64-bit version of Vista. If you don't recognise the jargon, don't worry because you aren't likely to be using it <grin>. Mind you you can't use it a log-in just yet...

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Magnification Software

For those of you not in the know, magnification software "does what it says on the tin". That is,it magnifies the details on the computer screen, typically from two times to 16 times. Most software packages will also allow you to magnify in different ways. For example, magnifying the whole screen as a whole, allow you to split the screen either horizontally or vertically, and some also allow you to use the mouse like a handheld magnified.

The market leaders are probably Magic (from Freedom Scien…

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Jaws Training with Rebecca Ballard

There is so much that Jaws can help you do on your computer and I can help you achieve it.

  • got the new version - want to know what you might be missing out on;
  • want to do an online shop at Tesco, Sainbury's, Asda, Waitrose (through Ocado);
  • need to acces your organisation's website and Intranet
  • get frustrated using Microsoft Word;

I've been training people how to use jaws ever since it came out as "Jaws for Windows".

At the beginning of each training session you and I will decide exactly what…

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Computer Training and Assistive Technology

Looking for friendly personalised computer training?

Are you looking for training for somebody with a visual impairment?

Are you blind or partially sighted and looking for computer training?

Do have a disability and want help to make using a computer easier and more productive?

Do you use Jaws and want to shop on-line but don't know where to start?

Afraid of RSI, or suffering already and want to use the mouse less?

Do you want to know how to use Microsoft Office products more effectively -

  • nee…

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