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Computer Help! Trying to buy a laptop for my cousin, where do I start? (self.Blind)
submitted 8y ago by yeahfilms
I am trying to buy a laptop for my cousin who is fully blind, but I have no clue where to start.
I have read that new MacBooks have good features (VoiceOver) that would make them usable for someone his age (16 years old). Is this all he would need? Are all the features of the Mac OS useable through VoiceOver?
On the Apple website they also have products like braille readers that connect to the MacBooks. What do these do, and would he need one to use his computer?
Other then a MacBook what are my options?
Thanks in advance for your help!
I have read that new MacBooks have good features (VoiceOver) that would make them usable for someone his age (16 years old). Is this all he would need? Are all the features of the Mac OS useable through VoiceOver?
On the Apple website they also have products like braille readers that connect to the MacBooks. What do these do, and would he need one to use his computer?
Other then a MacBook what are my options?
Thanks in advance for your help!
angelcake 3 points
Are you in a position where you can take him to an Apple store? One thing Apple does that I like is if you buy one of their products you can buy a year of training. I believe it's $99. Set up an appointment, go in and they will teach you whatever you need. It might be worth going in to see them to see if they have someone who can help your cousin learn how to use it. Beyond that what the other poster said is very true, it's probably better to stick with something that he knows already if Windows has adequate accessibility features. The latest OS X update has certainly added features but I cannot vouch for how good they are
yeahfilms [OP] 1 points
Thanks for responding. I think I may take him to the Apple Store and let him see what he thinks. I did try VoiceOver on my Mac and I am starting to understand the way its work/how it is used.
angelcake 1 points
If they have someone in the store who's up on accessibility they can probably be very helpful. I'm not an Apple-head but I like their products for their reliability. If your friend needs a cell or tablet as well the integration is seamless.
jage9 3 points
Has your cousin used a computer before? If so, this may help with the choice of Mac or PC. Computers talk primarily through what's called a screen reader. This is what will read the things on the screen aloud through speech. VoiceOver is the version of this on the Mac and is the best of the built-in options with one caveat, a lack of good support for Microsoft products (go figure). On the Windows side, there's two free options that are pretty good. NVDA is a free open-source screen reader that is rapidly gaining in popularity. Window-Eyes is available for free as long as a version of Microsoft Office is installed. If your cousin is using the computer for school, doing papers, powerpoints, etc. then Windows may make more sense. If they're already familiar with one or the other, that may be the way to lean.
You mentioned braille displays. These are quite expensive ($1,800-4,000 new) and certainly useful in the right circumstance. Does your cousin know braille well? If they're going into a field like computer programming something like this may make sense. But this can always be purchased later and is certainly not a necessity. Used ones do pop up on eBay as well, and I'm happy to point you in the right direction if you go that route. Perhaps with a bit more background I can be of more help. Hope this gets you started.
You mentioned braille displays. These are quite expensive ($1,800-4,000 new) and certainly useful in the right circumstance. Does your cousin know braille well? If they're going into a field like computer programming something like this may make sense. But this can always be purchased later and is certainly not a necessity. Used ones do pop up on eBay as well, and I'm happy to point you in the right direction if you go that route. Perhaps with a bit more background I can be of more help. Hope this gets you started.
yeahfilms [OP] 1 points
Thanks for taking the time to respond! Greatly appreciated. I think this is more then enough to help me start researching.
johnnytai 1 points
With a PC you can get this free screen reader software:
http://www.nvaccess.org/
http://www.nvaccess.org/
compreddit 1 points
Sonar linux http://sonargnulinux.com/
and a laptop with linux tech support https://system76.com/
Chrome OS on chrome books have a good built in screen reader: spoken feedback (describes what is happening on the screen), connect to a Braille display and are cheap: $150 for a refurb 4GB ram Acer c720
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177893?hl=en
and a laptop with linux tech support https://system76.com/
Chrome OS on chrome books have a good built in screen reader: spoken feedback (describes what is happening on the screen), connect to a Braille display and are cheap: $150 for a refurb 4GB ram Acer c720
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177893?hl=en
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