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Technological Solutions for the Partially Sighted?
Jakeg asks: "My gran is currently losing her vision at a rapid rate and I'd desperately like to use technology to help her as best I can. She's used email on a computer before but is generally nervous of computers and technology. She's applied for talking books which come on tapes and CDs, some using DAISY . Can anyone here who is themselves partially sighted/blind, or knows someone who is, suggest what else I can do/buy for her? I was thinking perhaps of an DAP (MP3) jukebox loaded with her favourite music and audio books (which I could download from where?), which I could add more to every now and then. Solutions -must- be very easy to use, especially without good vision. I have a budget of around UKP500 (US$800)."
Well I don't have personal experience to share with you, but I haven't really gone down that route. I can tell you that Windows 2000 (and I think XP...) has an Accessbility tab under the control panel where you can activate a tool called Narrorator. It reads pages and dialog boxes for you. I don't want to push too hard on this, though, because in the few minutes I used it, it was confusing as heck to listen to.
That's the best I can offer at the moment. I can tell you that I did work with a blind person before. He was able to be rather productive in a technical support enviornment. So I'd say there's a good shot there is something useful you can find. I do worry, though, that if she's afraid of computers, she'll find this a little too daunting.
Good luck, man.
"Derp de derp."
"Can anyone here who is themselves partially sighted/blind, or knows someone who is, suggest what else I can do/buy for her? I was thinking perhaps of an DAP (MP3) jukebox loaded with her favourite music and audio books (which I could download from where?), which I could add more to every now and then. Solutions -must- be very easy to use, especially without good vision. I have a budget of around UKP500 (US$800).""
Well there's quite a bit left out. Is this rapid loss of vision the same resulting from old age? A disease? Reason that's important is it gives you an idea of what kind of timeline to construct. The first thing she'll need is order. Everything has a place, and everything in it's place (no musical chairs with the furniture). Second remember to ask around your local, state, and federal about their programs for the blind. Don't forget chartiable organizations, and even businesses. Third you can get magnifiers (the glass kind), or electronic (B&W Monitor with a camera, book on a movable table). Fourth the blind are resourceful (anyone here know what a "say when" is? It's a simple device with a 9-V battery and 2 prongs, that clips onto a coffee cup. Pour until liquid closes conection and makes a buzzing noise, STOP!). Fifth there a usually in most states a volunteer organizations that reads magazines, and newspapers for the blind. Sixth this requires some creativity on your part, look at the world as a blind person would (much as first time parents would look at their house from a babies level). You'll think of many more ways, and NO you don't have to spend lots of money.
An MP3 player with a good button layout might be good, but you need one that doesn't really rely too much on being able to read the screen. An iPod might not be very good because that jog wheel might not be much use. I think the Neuros might be good option.
You can download a lot of talking books from the filesharing networks like eDonkey, and AFAIK it would be legal as long as you also bought the hardcopy. The RNIB site has links to some more legitimate suppliers.
BBC Radio 4 lets you listen online to most of their programmes from the last week, and they have a lot of dramas and book readings (and some great comedy). Unfortunately it's currently in RealMedia format, but that is due to change.
Lastly, if any of your friends are web designers, encourage them to follow the WAI guidelines otherwise she might not be able to access their websites (not that she will neccessarily want to, but it's always good to get more people interested in accessibility).
PS. Tell her 'Hi' from Slashdot!
Learning to read Brail now maybe very useful to her and you could do it easily with a computer.
A B
oo ox
ox oo
oo oo
not accurate but an easy example. Theres alot of places you can find brail charts but if you have no luck I believe theres one in the pokemon ruby 'regis guide' on gamefaqs due to Brail puzzles in the game.
Other wise turn resolution down majorly, use the accessability features and use the magnifering option to make it huge.
I like muppets.
Try searching for "linux blind" on Google. Lots of very useful information especially Blinux. Anything that is -or can be put- in asccii format can be read outloud by a special version of emacs or Lynx. This means not only on-line books but even the web.
Of course your oma will have to learn touch typing, but this is probably a lot easier than Braille. If you can set up and maintain the programs for her, you could help her a lot, if she's willing and able. Don't forget to contact your national blind-help people as someone has already advised you. Maybe this is the FIRST THING you should do.
I'm 71 myself and have eyesight problems. I was temporarily blind for about 3 weeks and was tremendously depressed. But my nine year granddaughter, who is coming to visit us in July, likes to lead me around.
I'm not a good touchtyper yet because
a) lazy
b) Ican still see pretty well with one eye.
Saludos y buena suerte a tu abuelita.