Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for software for vision impaired people. (self.Blind)
submitted 9y ago by Eheaubaut
Hello! My best friends mother is very visually impaired (The state considers her legally blind), and has to use special tools in able to use the computer. She used to use the Jaws software to be able to read what was on the screen, as it magnifies what her cursor is pointing at.
Well the software stopped working one day, and Jaws doesn't support that specific version anymore. They said shed have to upgrade to a new version which would cost her $300+ that she can not afford.
So I'm here asking if there are any cheaper (Hopefully free) alternatives to this software? Sorry if this isnt the right subreddit for this, but its the closest I could find. If it's wrong, could someone please direct me to the proper place?
Well the software stopped working one day, and Jaws doesn't support that specific version anymore. They said shed have to upgrade to a new version which would cost her $300+ that she can not afford.
So I'm here asking if there are any cheaper (Hopefully free) alternatives to this software? Sorry if this isnt the right subreddit for this, but its the closest I could find. If it's wrong, could someone please direct me to the proper place?
belindalein 5 points
1. NVDA screen reader is free and open-source: http://www.nvaccess.org/
2. You can download the demo of the newest version of JAWS (15), and it will run a full version for 40 minutes at a time--you just have to restart the computer and then it will run again.
3.Window-Eyes is another screen reader that will now run free if you have a copy of Microsoft Office 2010
4. It sounds like she is also perhaps using screen magnification software--MAGic magnifies the cursor and what is on the screen--it's available as a demo for the same 40 minute deal from the same company as JAWS
5. ZoomText is a screen magnification program that also has some read aloud options, that is available for a 60 day trial--after that, she would need to purchase a copy, if it's right for her.
po_ 1 points
Agreed. NVDA will give some audio feedback on what's happening on the screen. $1 is not all that bad these days - not up to the standard of JAWS/Supernova/Zoomtext etc, but free!
Eheaubaut [OP] 1 points
None of those really help, sadly. Having to restart the computer ever 30-40 minutes would be a hassle.. and they all cost an OUTRAGEOUS amount of money for what they do! I feel like these companies are just trying to take advantage of people with seeing problems.
belindalein 2 points
NVDA is free :)
po_ 1 points
I agree, they really are *very* expensive for the end user. But I think there's a lot of work involved in coding them, and keeping up with the OS and programs people use (creating map files etc) - and of course there's a relatively limited market available I guess. Not ideal for anyone. It'd be great if the OS companies would pump way more money into magnification and other accessibility tools.
lue42 1 points
What is the software that JAWS can't read? (I am a JAWS scripter for a living)
What version worked, and what version caused it to fail?
Have you reached you to the company to determine their stance on why JAWS suddenly does not work and their intentions to remedy it?
What version worked, and what version caused it to fail?
Have you reached you to the company to determine their stance on why JAWS suddenly does not work and their intentions to remedy it?
morecoffeepls 1 points
Hi! The options listed really are the most capable and most popular. I agree that they're very expensive. You mentioned the state considers her legally blind. What state are you in? In Illinois, the Bureau of Blind Services, a department of Department of Human Services, can help clients obtain assistive technology. Perhaps there's a similar service in your area that could help her out?
[deleted] 1 points
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