Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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The ideal computer set-up for a low-visioned person? (self.Blind)
submitted by RamiK96
Hi!
My father, 60 years old, struggles with Retinitis Pigmentosa. A part of his work, he has to do a fair amount of work on his PC computer (mostly browsing web and reading Word documents).
I have tried to set up his computer in a way that would make it the easiest for him to see objects and text on the screen, and also to control the computer in a more convenient way for him. This includes using the Windows built-in magnifier, color inversion, keyboard short-cuts to do functions, as well as a big mouse cursor that I created for him.
These things have been very helpful to him and have definitely made his experience quite easier. However, as RP is a disease that continues to deteriorate his vision, we are currently in need of further methods that could make it even easier for him to use the computer (mainly to read text off websites and documents).
Could you please advise me with some possible ways to do that? Also, are there special computers for low-visioned individuals to use?
My father, 60 years old, struggles with Retinitis Pigmentosa. A part of his work, he has to do a fair amount of work on his PC computer (mostly browsing web and reading Word documents).
I have tried to set up his computer in a way that would make it the easiest for him to see objects and text on the screen, and also to control the computer in a more convenient way for him. This includes using the Windows built-in magnifier, color inversion, keyboard short-cuts to do functions, as well as a big mouse cursor that I created for him.
These things have been very helpful to him and have definitely made his experience quite easier. However, as RP is a disease that continues to deteriorate his vision, we are currently in need of further methods that could make it even easier for him to use the computer (mainly to read text off websites and documents).
Could you please advise me with some possible ways to do that? Also, are there special computers for low-visioned individuals to use?
Furnessian90 3 points 3y ago
If you are in the UK tap into Access to Work and say you need Fusion - His work has to pay for it as a reasonable adjustment and it wil both magnifier and change the colour of the screen as well as adapt the cursor, but also fusion uses a program called JAWS, which is a screen reader - depending on how far gone his RP is he may beefit from a screen reader.
Have a look at some reviews of the things online: Zoomtext, JAWS and Fusion.
A freebie would be dark reader extension for Chrome/FIrefox - these will make the text white and the background black on EVERY web page.
Have a look at some reviews of the things online: Zoomtext, JAWS and Fusion.
A freebie would be dark reader extension for Chrome/FIrefox - these will make the text white and the background black on EVERY web page.
Hellsacomin94 3 points 3y ago
I think the next level is to get a large monitor in an adjustable arm, so he can put it right where he needs to see. Also, you said color inversion, did you mean high contrast mode?
Beyond that, there is zoom text, a better screen magnifier and reader than the windows built in version.
After zoom text no longer works there are computer environments like JAWS and NVDA, which allow blind people to use a computer without any vision. There are also Braille displays that show the text on screen in Braille.
If you are in the US you should probably check with your state’s department for the blind or vocational rehab. They can provide this stuff for no charge to keep him worrying.
Good luck!
Beyond that, there is zoom text, a better screen magnifier and reader than the windows built in version.
After zoom text no longer works there are computer environments like JAWS and NVDA, which allow blind people to use a computer without any vision. There are also Braille displays that show the text on screen in Braille.
If you are in the US you should probably check with your state’s department for the blind or vocational rehab. They can provide this stuff for no charge to keep him worrying.
Good luck!
Badassmotherfuckerer 1 points 3y ago
Some tips that I use/found that work:
Get an adjustable monitor arm. This is an absolute necessity. I have the AmazonBasics one and it's held up really well for the four years I've had it. Be sure to get a monitor with a VESA mount so it will work with the mount.
I use a combination of windows magnifier and NVDA. NVDA just seems to be the easiest to work with in my experience.
Also if you use zoom features and zoom in and out frequently, I would highly recommend a Logitech mouse or any brand that lets you remap the buttons. I have the back/forward buttons on my mouse modified to zoom in and out so I can easily access that feature without having to go to the keyboard for that.
Get an adjustable monitor arm. This is an absolute necessity. I have the AmazonBasics one and it's held up really well for the four years I've had it. Be sure to get a monitor with a VESA mount so it will work with the mount.
I use a combination of windows magnifier and NVDA. NVDA just seems to be the easiest to work with in my experience.
Also if you use zoom features and zoom in and out frequently, I would highly recommend a Logitech mouse or any brand that lets you remap the buttons. I have the back/forward buttons on my mouse modified to zoom in and out so I can easily access that feature without having to go to the keyboard for that.
SecTrono 1 points 3y ago
Most newer TVs can be used as a computer monitor. You could get him a 36" tv for a couple hundred dollars. You might need to buy a hdmi to vga adapter for $20 but that will probably be unnecessary.
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he might also want to learn how to use a screen reader like microsoft narrator or NVDA. If his vision gets bad enough he will be glad he learned how to use this sort of software. Its a little tricky to learn because its designed to allow a user to use most functions of a computer without needing a mouse or monitor. Everything is done on a keyboard.
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he might also want to learn how to use a screen reader like microsoft narrator or NVDA. If his vision gets bad enough he will be glad he learned how to use this sort of software. Its a little tricky to learn because its designed to allow a user to use most functions of a computer without needing a mouse or monitor. Everything is done on a keyboard.
cyborgspleadthefifth 1 points 3y ago
My wife uses ZoomText extensively and it's helped her a lot as a teacher and grad student.
rkarl7777 1 points 3y ago
I'm moderately VI and sit close to a large 2nd monitor attached to my laptop. I also really like Dark Mode. I currently use the Lunar Reader Chrome extension.
BlueRock956 1 points 3y ago
Freedom Scientific, it has other names, is currently offering their software for freebe the license ends on June 20?. Download Zoom and Fusion and see how your dad likes these.
Zoom is magnification, and Fusion is a combination of a screen reader and magnification.
Zoom is magnification, and Fusion is a combination of a screen reader and magnification.
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