Can anyone PLEASE help?

Discussion in 'Software' started by EAGERtoLEARN, Apr 6, 2011.

  1. EAGERtoLEARN

    EAGERtoLEARN Private E-2

    Hi guys, Ian here, I am almost blind and wondered if there are any tools, gadgets, gizmos or whatever, that can help me with computing? If anyone can help, I would be very grateful,

    Yours, a fingers crossed Ian
     
    EAGERtoLEARN, Apr 6, 2011
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Ian

    What Windows version do you have? as many do have aids to help the visually impaired, I work in ophthalmology and do aim users to look in Windows for the Accessibility options and I will try and cover a few Windows versions below, but the magnifier is a very useful tool, but depending on your visual impairment the magnifier may not be all you need, you may need to enlarge the text as well as change the Contrast Themes


    Windows XP

    Windows Vista

    Windows 7
     
    DavidGP, Apr 6, 2011
    #2
  3. usafveteran

    usafveteran MajorGeek

    What version of Windows are you using? If you are using Windows 7, go to All Programs, Accessories, and expand the Ease of Access folder on the Programs menu. It contains some tools which may be helpful to you such as Magnifier, Narrator, On-screen Keyboard, Windows Speech Recognition, and Ease of Access Center. If you proceed to the Ease of Access Center, it contains more settings that may be helpful.

    Even though I'm not visually impaired, I like to use the option found in Ease of Access Center to hear a tone when you press CAPS LOCK, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock.

    Edit: Oops, sorry DavidGP, I didn't see your post before I posted.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2011
    usafveteran, Apr 6, 2011
    #3
  4. EAGERtoLEARN

    EAGERtoLEARN Private E-2

    Sorry I should have mentioned I have windows xp David, I do use the magnifier already, but my disease means I will be going totally blind in the none too distant future. It doesn't overly worry me (going blind) but I would still like to be able to use my computer, as it is something new to me and something I want to learn more about.

    Thanks Ian.
     
    EAGERtoLEARN, Apr 6, 2011
    #4
  5. usafveteran

    usafveteran MajorGeek

    usafveteran, Apr 6, 2011
    #5
  6. EAGERtoLEARN

    EAGERtoLEARN Private E-2

    Thank you very much usafveteran, I will have a look at the link now.

    Thanks again, Ian.
     
    EAGERtoLEARN, Apr 6, 2011
    #6
  7. EAGERtoLEARN

    EAGERtoLEARN Private E-2

    Jhst a quick thanks (again) to usafveteran, I will be buying a headset tomorrow and hope to be "talking" to ypu guys again soon.

    I would have sent the above via PM but as yet I have not made enough posts.
     
    EAGERtoLEARN, Apr 6, 2011
    #7
  8. hrlow2

    hrlow2 MajorGeek

    hrlow2, Apr 6, 2011
    #8
  9. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Ian


    Knowing you now have XP I would be very tempted to get Dragon Naturally Speaking as mentioned and the packages I have seen do come with a headset, of headphones and microphone to aid you and the app is very accurate.

    I'm trying to think of any general devices that can aid you thats not PC based, but the usual magnifier on a stand maybe of use but the on-screen one in Windows is just as good I feel, you may wish to change the theme to a High Contrast one as mentioned HERE

    Have you spoken to your Ophthalmologist so see what devices they have that may help? in the UK you can get whats called a Low Vision Assessment and that can highlight the options you may have depending on the type of eye disease as many affect the eye differently and while you are classed as blind you may have central vision only (Retinitis Pigmentosa) or peripheral only (ARMD) many others cause various blindness as in Glaucoma, Diabetes, Vein Occlusions etc
     
    DavidGP, Apr 6, 2011
    #9
  10. EAGERtoLEARN

    EAGERtoLEARN Private E-2

    Thank you hrlow2, I will have a look at the link you have kingly provided.

    David, my eye condition is called fundus flavimaculatus, there is little known about it but it took m,y central vision away, and now I have partial peripheral vision in my left ete, whilst my right eye is already classed as blind (I can make out some movmrnt through it, but only see "shadows)

    Thanks guys, Ian.
     
    EAGERtoLEARN, Apr 6, 2011
    #10
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    TimW, Apr 6, 2011
    #11
  12. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    If you are learning braille, there are computer keyboard stickers with braille so you can feel the letters as you type. Your local branch of the Blind Association might be able to tell you some computer assistance hardware and software that sighted people just aren't aware of.
     
    plodr, Apr 6, 2011
    #12

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