Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for help setting up a very simple computer for my Uncle with Macular Degeneration. (self.Blind)
submitted 8y ago by oddphilosophy
Hi,
I am trying to find information on setting up a VERY simple computer for my Uncle who is quickly losing his vision. He have very little in the way of computer skills to begin with and I would like to get him accustom to the interface before it gets any worse.
All he wants to do online is access his email, the news, and weather. Ideally, I would like to set him up with start-up setting such that all he has to do is press the power button and it will load his email. Then he could press one button to go to weather and another to go to news, keeping in mind that he cannot read the keyboard.
From there, a screen reader would be needed to read his email and also some sort of program where he could dictate email responses. The screen reader should suffice for the news and weather.
I am not sure if this is the right subreddit to be asking on, so please feel free to direct me elsewhere.
Things I need help with:
* Finding an affordable computer or tablet that can be set up with zero log in screens, apps, or menus.
* Setting the start-up menu to auto load the email.
* Creating key, voice, or gesture short cuts for the necessary commands: Email, news, weather, dictate response email.
* Finding a screen reader or any other software and hardware that could help.
Thank you for your time!
I am trying to find information on setting up a VERY simple computer for my Uncle who is quickly losing his vision. He have very little in the way of computer skills to begin with and I would like to get him accustom to the interface before it gets any worse.
All he wants to do online is access his email, the news, and weather. Ideally, I would like to set him up with start-up setting such that all he has to do is press the power button and it will load his email. Then he could press one button to go to weather and another to go to news, keeping in mind that he cannot read the keyboard.
From there, a screen reader would be needed to read his email and also some sort of program where he could dictate email responses. The screen reader should suffice for the news and weather.
I am not sure if this is the right subreddit to be asking on, so please feel free to direct me elsewhere.
Things I need help with:
* Finding an affordable computer or tablet that can be set up with zero log in screens, apps, or menus.
* Setting the start-up menu to auto load the email.
* Creating key, voice, or gesture short cuts for the necessary commands: Email, news, weather, dictate response email.
* Finding a screen reader or any other software and hardware that could help.
Thank you for your time!
Nighthawk321 1 points
Well, to be honest, he needs to learn how to use a computer. Maybe not become an expert, but he needs to learn how to use a screen reader, and use programs. In the long run, it will make his life a lot easier. As far as a screen reader, get NVDA, its free and reads a lot. But there are command to use it, witch he will have to learn. But I see this as a problem if he doesn't know how to use a computer.
oddphilosophy [OP] 1 points
Thank you for your input! I will check it out. I figured there would be some sort of learning curve so I wanted to get started before he was completely blind. I believe he can still read large print well enough to have a study/cheat sheet for commands like that.
Nighthawk321 2 points
Yeah that would definatly be a good thing to do. Also, if he only wants a device for things you mentioned, try getting him an iPhone. It can text, call, email, apps, etc. Plus, one of Apple's number one priorities is making their phones accessible for the blind.
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