Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
11
↓
Braille displays: how can I try before i buy? (self.Blind)
submitted 5.295810731738683y ago by redstone1337
I really need a braille display, and it looks like I'll have to foot the bill myself. I've borrowed an older version of the Focus 40 blue, and it seems to meet all my needs, but I really want to see what else is out there, so I can make an informed decision.
Is there any kind of "showroom" where I can test out various displays to see what works best for me? I live in Texas.
I'm specifically looking for something that's widely supported. I work in IT, and need the display to work on NVDA/JAWS on Windows, macOS and iOS, as well as Linux and UNIX. It needs to be relatively portable, but have enough cells to comfortably read for long periods.
Is there any kind of "showroom" where I can test out various displays to see what works best for me? I live in Texas.
I'm specifically looking for something that's widely supported. I work in IT, and need the display to work on NVDA/JAWS on Windows, macOS and iOS, as well as Linux and UNIX. It needs to be relatively portable, but have enough cells to comfortably read for long periods.
dmazzoni 2 points 5y ago
Very few showrooms like that.
I'm aware of one at the Lighthouse for the blind in SF, and the NFB has one in DC. If you're a member of any blindness organizations I'd check with them first, see if there's somewhere you could go or if they have a program where you can borrow one.
The ACB convention is in St Louis in July. That'd be one place to check out several models and other AT. The NFB convention is even larger, it's in Orlando at the same time.
Or the CSUN assistive technology conference is in California next year in March. You'll see more AT there than anywhere in the world.
I'm aware of one at the Lighthouse for the blind in SF, and the NFB has one in DC. If you're a member of any blindness organizations I'd check with them first, see if there's somewhere you could go or if they have a program where you can borrow one.
The ACB convention is in St Louis in July. That'd be one place to check out several models and other AT. The NFB convention is even larger, it's in Orlando at the same time.
Or the CSUN assistive technology conference is in California next year in March. You'll see more AT there than anywhere in the world.
AllHarlowsEve 1 points 5y ago
Have you talked to your voc rehab person? They should be able to either let you get your hands on some and try them out at least a little.
My state, CT, lets us try out different styles, to see what meshes with us the best.
Then, they should either be able to purchase you one, since it's for work, or help you foot the bill.
My state, CT, lets us try out different styles, to see what meshes with us the best.
Then, they should either be able to purchase you one, since it's for work, or help you foot the bill.
redstone1337 [OP] 1 points 5y ago
TWC in Texas has a minimum reading speed requirement before they'll buy a braille display for you. I think it's 60 WPM. I'm nowhere near that, but I feel like the fastest way to get my speed up would be to have access to a computer using braille, because that's my job. It's kind of a chicken/egg thing.
I could buy a 14 cell display now, but I don't think that will be enough for normal computer work. Most terminal emulators default to 80 lines, so even a 40 cell display will require panning.
I was originally going to buy an orbit reader 20, use that to get my speed up, and go to TWC for an 80 cell display for work, but the orbit seems to be having teething problems. IIRC it was supposed to come out in 2016, but got delayed. They did a soft launch in February, but those units are buggy. I don't want to wait another year for it to fully launch.
I could buy a 14 cell display now, but I don't think that will be enough for normal computer work. Most terminal emulators default to 80 lines, so even a 40 cell display will require panning.
I was originally going to buy an orbit reader 20, use that to get my speed up, and go to TWC for an 80 cell display for work, but the orbit seems to be having teething problems. IIRC it was supposed to come out in 2016, but got delayed. They did a soft launch in February, but those units are buggy. I don't want to wait another year for it to fully launch.
Prefect316 1 points 5y ago
Out of curiosity, how do they measure your reading speed? It sounds like a silly requirement tbh.
redstone1337 [OP] 1 points 5y ago
A test I suppose.
Able_Me 1 points 5y ago
From what I found the Texas Technology Access Program might be of help. Apparently they have a lot of demonstration centers, and they have an assistive technology conference coming up on June 12th. Their website is: http://techaccess.edb.utexas.edu/ . I have not used any of these resources, and I don't know anyone who has, so I have no idea how useful they might actually be to you. Edit: I can't actually find a braille display in their device loans list, but they still might be able to help you get a hands on demo in your region.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.