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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 05 - 19 - ID#gmq80h
9
What software or support could help visually impaired people for keeping their careers? (self.Blind)
submitted by 8saku
I think a lot of people who are mid-career visually impaired are suffering a lot from losing their jobs at the same time they lose their vision.

Even if the loss of vision is medically challenging, can't the loss of a proud career be mitigated by cutting edge IT technology and services?

I would appreciate it if you could share your local services and any ideas even if it doesn't exist yet. For example, if it's a clerical job, what else can help them except for Screen Reader, OCR or training offered from the public agency?

If you give me any ideas, I will use it as a reassurance knowledge for future myself and share it with those around me.

Thanks.
AntiAngelix 2 points 3y ago
I’ve started using the Voice over on mac while I still have usable vision, on the chance that my vision continues to deteriorate. That way, I can mitigate any big disruptions later down the road.
8saku [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you for your advice. I agree with you! I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
jelly_bean_twist 1 points 3y ago
I've seen people use external screen magnifiers by just putting a giant, square magnifying glass over their screen. You do have to have some degree of useable vision for that to help though. I've also seen people plug in Braille displays to their computers so they can read what's on the screen tactiley. I don't know if those are as good as screen readers like JAWS though. Sometimes Braille Notes can be a substitute for a computer but not always as computers have more storage. Recording devices also help a lot, like victor reader streams, to store voice notes instead of writing them down. Desktop CCTV magnifiers can help with low vision users to read and write with pencil and paper. Handhelds can work portable too, again these both require useable vision though. I hope this helps!
jelly_bean_twist 3 points 3y ago
One more thing: I'm sure there are probably great screen magnification software available but I usually advise against zoomtext for those who are not particularly computer savvy. I've seen it cause confusion for a lot of people with the inability to see the whole screen at once
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
I firmly agree. I have had better luck with OSX system features for accessibility that JAWS, Zoomtext, or any of the hundreds of dollar software or single purpose hardware (save Braille devices.) iOS and some Android distributions also have excellent accessibility. I am a special education teacher, and work a lot with adaptive technology.

The problem with the best adaptive tech is that it is glorious and specialized, which make synergy with larger systems difficult. It often becomes 'easier' to rely on less adaptable formats and processes.

We are in a mess transition period; technology, awareness, and proficiencies are not all pulling in the same direction right now.
8saku [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you to both of you. It's great that there are so many different avenues available.

I feel it's important to keep my head clear so I can use it well, depending on the situation and ones aptitude.
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