🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1039

                           Wednesday, May 11, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                             Windows and Speech
                Re: Computer sys. for Blind..Recommendations?
           Does anyone make a screen reader for X-windows/Unix ???
                           Braille Watch For Sale.
                          Braille Blazer Available
                              going to college


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: Windows and Speech
From: Michael.Hudson@MSU (Michael Hudson)

Hello Everyone!

I am writing to hopefully gather ideas about a critical issue which is facing
blind students at Michigan State University.  If you have not yet faced this
issue--rest assured you will soon!

The issue:

All new undergrads at MSU are required to take at least one computer course
before graduation.  All such required courses are taught using Microsoft
Windows. As you are aware, Windows access by speech is still an immature
science (with only 3 packages commercially available).  I have conducted
reviews of the three packages by both limited software trials and through
reviews of blind collegues.  The Results are mixed at best.  It is for this
reason that I have put off purchasing (or suggesting the purchase of) such
software for the campus. Not being convinced that any of the three packages
are real solutions I had not wanted to purchase prematurely and then find the
package we purchased and supported was antiquated by another.
My days of putting off the purchase are now numbered as I have a student, who
will need speech access, enrolled for one of the courses in the fall semester.
 I now face two important questions.  1) Which of the three early systems to
purchase or wait just a few weeks more for the promised release of two or
three more packages?  2) Given the state of Windows access by speech as
compared to speech access to DOS should I encourage the university to allow an
exception for blind students (they would use DOS applications to accomplish
the same results as those using Windows)?  We currently have DOS screen
readers which perform fantastically--should we continue to use such
applications until the GUI dillemma is better understood and addressed?

I am looking for any feedback on this issue that may be out there.  I have
already set a meeting on campus to discuss these issues with students, faculty
and staff--however, I thought I'd do a little extra research before these
meetings.

You may respond to this either through the listserv or directly to me at
HUDSON@MSU.EDU.

Sincerely,
Michael Hudson
Visual Characteristics Specialist
Michigan State University




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Subject: Re: Computer sys. for Blind..Recommendations?
From: SPKBB@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU (Judy Gerber)
Organization: City University of New York/University Computer Center

The conflict may be with your current arkenstone and an upgrade to a
386 or higher microcomputer. The older version of arkenstone is not
compatible with 386+. The scanner itself is fine, but not the card.
I would check with Arkenstone.

Since you already have Artic, why don't you upgrade--Winvision works
both with Windows and DOS, and sources say it's pretty good.

If you want to upgrade your large print, I recommend LP DOS/El Picasso.
This also works both with Windows and DOS.

Good luck.

Judy Gerber
Computer Center for the Visually Impaired




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Subject: Does anyone make a screen reader for X-windows/Unix ???
From: sja@world.std.com (Stuart J Adams)
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

I am looking for a  screen reader for X-windows/Unix ???
(preferably on Suns)

Thanks,
 Stuart





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Subject: Braille Watch For Sale.
From: jimfett@delphi.com (James Fettgather)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

This message is  posted on behalf of Joy Tilton (joy@terapin.com),
who does not have access to this newsgroup.

I have a women's Seiko braille watch for sale.  This watch contains
a quartz battery within.  I have been able to go for as long as 3
years without having to change the battery inside.

This watch has a 6 O'clock opening, with larger dots at 12, 3, 6,
and 9.  There is a stretch band with it at this time.  I wish to
sell it for $40 or best offer.  If possible, I would like someone
who is hearing impaired, and unable to hear a talking watch well
enough to purchase this item.  It still is in pretty good condition
after 10 years of owning this timepiece.

If interested, please call me, Joy at (510) 452-2043.  Or, if yo
have Internet access, write to joy@terapin.com.  Please pass this
post around.  I would like to get this off my hands ASAP.

  joy@terapin.com
  Ciao for now!




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Subject: Braille Blazer Available
From: klford@facstaff.wisc.edu (Kelly Ford)
Organization: U of Iowa Panda System

I have a braille Blazer available.  The unit's approximately 2.5 years old but
has printed only about 100 pages.  I'm asking $1,000 or best offer.  For more
info please e-mail to klford@facstaff.wisc.edu.






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Subject: going to college
From: dashiell@nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)


Disability in the context of S.S.D.I. refers only to work.
It has no reference to education at all so there's no violation of the law
here.

jude <dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil>




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                 End of Issue # 1039 of the Blind News Digest

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