Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Anyone tech savvy who can guide me? (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
AndAdapt 4 points 2y ago
Buy a cheap used Thinkpad. Learn to code on windows. Then switch to linux if you like, as the Thinkpad will have great linux support
AllHarlowsEve 3 points 2y ago
I'm a mac user because I find it the most intuitive, but there's also linux and ChromeOS. I know multiple totals that use each, but I find linux only good if you're particularly tech savvy yourself, and I have zero experience with ChromeOS.
IronDominion 2 points 2y ago
ChromeOS is GARBAGE. Buggy, unintuitive, inaccessible, garbage
vwlsmssng 2 points 2y ago
Chromebooks and ChromeBoxes are locked to running Chrome OS, basically Chrome browser middleware and everything automatically linked into your Google services (Mail, Drive, Docs, etc.). They have screen reader built in called $1 which seems to cover the basics. I'm not a screen reader user so I can't really comment. Chrome OS also has support for magnification and other accessibility feature $1.
Although Chrome OS is a version of Debian Linux, most of the time this deeply buried and locked away. However, many Chrome OS machines can now run a bare Linux (Debian as standard) in a secure container and, if the underlying hardware is up to it, consequently run apps like Gimp and Libre Office. Most Chromebooks can also run compatible Android apps.
If you want to know more specifics about Chrome OS and what you can do with it, pop over to /r/chromeos/ where they will happily tell you a Chromebook is a bad idea for you when your requirements won't be supported well.
Cheap Chromebooks are really cheap. You could get one just to try out the accessibility than splash for a fancier model if that is what you need and can afford. If you want to run a different OS on a Chromebook it is possible but it requires opening the unit up to disable its security features, re-flash the bios and then success is not guaranteed.
Although Chrome OS is a version of Debian Linux, most of the time this deeply buried and locked away. However, many Chrome OS machines can now run a bare Linux (Debian as standard) in a secure container and, if the underlying hardware is up to it, consequently run apps like Gimp and Libre Office. Most Chromebooks can also run compatible Android apps.
If you want to know more specifics about Chrome OS and what you can do with it, pop over to /r/chromeos/ where they will happily tell you a Chromebook is a bad idea for you when your requirements won't be supported well.
Cheap Chromebooks are really cheap. You could get one just to try out the accessibility than splash for a fancier model if that is what you need and can afford. If you want to run a different OS on a Chromebook it is possible but it requires opening the unit up to disable its security features, re-flash the bios and then success is not guaranteed.
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
Chrome-based is probably best if you don't want either Windows or iOS (because presumably you have a reason for not wanting a Mac).
In all honesty, Windows is by far the best for productivity and efficiency from an employee perspective, and certainly the most common at the moment.
In all honesty, Windows is by far the best for productivity and efficiency from an employee perspective, and certainly the most common at the moment.
[deleted] [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Im not a apple user. And I distrust Windows as they have creepy tracking and so forth. Im looking for a system that I can use to learn and write programs. Download apps. Watch netflix and to use for communications and building apps and sites.
I know mac is best but I hate it. Windows i don't like the whole spying thing they have. So looking for something that functions, goes well for programming. Not so much design.
Also to run my stocks and shares from too. I work the stock market so it'll be handy for that.
I know mac is best but I hate it. Windows i don't like the whole spying thing they have. So looking for something that functions, goes well for programming. Not so much design.
Also to run my stocks and shares from too. I work the stock market so it'll be handy for that.
CloudyBeep 3 points 2y ago
The tracking features in Windows can be disabled. If they couldn't, high-security companies wouldn't use it, but they all still do.
devinprater 2 points 2y ago
I mean, if you're totally blind, Linux just won't cut it. It's either Mac or Windows, or Chromeos I suppose, if you really want to just do the basics, but learning to code? You'll need something more open than a Chromebook. If you hate Mac and Windows, you'll really hate Linux accessibility if you're blind. Then again you may be one of those blind people that is fine with "good enough" accessibility. There are blind Linux users that will tell you that Linux is the best thing since Nutella. And for them, with what they do, using IRC and some programming with Nano or Geddit or whatever, it works for them. But if you want a great, easy, useful, and even fun experience sometimes, stick to Windows. We blind people don't really have the priority in open source projects, and if you think they care about us, they don't. No company or project that doesn't know about us or have accessibility in mind, doesn't care about us. Open source doesn't make it better. At all.
But if you have some vision, please, do go with Linux. It does have a magnifier. But if not, nothing can beat VS-code on Windows with NVDA for writing and fixing code. For learning to code, I recommend Free Code Camp, which will take you through writing a website, doing CSS, and finally to programming in Javascript and Python. It's the most fun thing I've ever used, much better than Apple's Swift Playgrounds app. Oh and don't bother with a Mac. I used it exclusively for years, and using Mail on it is the only thing I find more productive than anywhere else, and Gmail on the web is just about as good.
But if you have some vision, please, do go with Linux. It does have a magnifier. But if not, nothing can beat VS-code on Windows with NVDA for writing and fixing code. For learning to code, I recommend Free Code Camp, which will take you through writing a website, doing CSS, and finally to programming in Javascript and Python. It's the most fun thing I've ever used, much better than Apple's Swift Playgrounds app. Oh and don't bother with a Mac. I used it exclusively for years, and using Mail on it is the only thing I find more productive than anywhere else, and Gmail on the web is just about as good.
AndAdapt 1 points 2y ago
Looking at work flow with gmail on windows. Do you have a good link for a tutorial with nvda the ones I found don't seem to work
devinprater 1 points 2y ago
Using Gmail keyboard shortcuts, and the stuff on Google's help page for using Gmail with a screen reader, worked for me.
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
there's far more potential on linux than Chrome then, particularly if you want to code.
Chrome is very Google-centric, and if Windows is a complete no-no, you'll want more than a web-based hooking platform like Chrome.
I'd advise using Windows as a gateway at least, to learn what you need - even if that's a cheaper netbook, a VPS or whatever, because you seem to need more guidance than a few comments here can provide.
Chrome is very Google-centric, and if Windows is a complete no-no, you'll want more than a web-based hooking platform like Chrome.
I'd advise using Windows as a gateway at least, to learn what you need - even if that's a cheaper netbook, a VPS or whatever, because you seem to need more guidance than a few comments here can provide.
Altie-McAltface 1 points 2y ago
You mean MacOS rather than iOS, correct?
MacOS (and iOS for that matter) are very accessible, but I've been drifting away from them over the last few years as I do more IT work.
If you don't want either Windows or MacOS, that leaves Linux as your only option. I've heard of blind people functioning happily on the CLI alone, but that narrows down what you can do with the computer. Orca is the screen reader built into Gnome, but while the mailing list is very active, I've never been able to get it to work for me. If Orca were as stable as NVDA or VoiceOver, and if the magnifier were more robust, I'd happily move to Linux permanently.
MacOS (and iOS for that matter) are very accessible, but I've been drifting away from them over the last few years as I do more IT work.
If you don't want either Windows or MacOS, that leaves Linux as your only option. I've heard of blind people functioning happily on the CLI alone, but that narrows down what you can do with the computer. Orca is the screen reader built into Gnome, but while the mailing list is very active, I've never been able to get it to work for me. If Orca were as stable as NVDA or VoiceOver, and if the magnifier were more robust, I'd happily move to Linux permanently.
orioltheoreo 1 points 2y ago
I use both Mac and Windows. Mac is great for some things but coding is not one of them. I code on a Mac because I use xCode and I need it for making my Swift apps, but I enjoy coding a lot more on Windows as it is more intuitive and vsCode just makes it a breeze. granted, there is VSCode on the Mac as well, but the accessibility is inferior.
Winnmark 1 points 2y ago
Arch Linux is a pretty good OS you can set up and use with ease.
It's a good choice you can run on most, if not all, hardware.
Also, it's MacOS, not iOS on the desktop platform.
It's a good choice you can run on most, if not all, hardware.
Also, it's MacOS, not iOS on the desktop platform.
devinprater 3 points 2y ago
Set up with ease? Are you serious?
Winnmark 2 points 2y ago
Ssshhh
Cpt_Snarf 0 points 2y ago
Im sorry in adavance; this has nothing to do with the subject, which I don't even know what is about as I cannot see/read. I have no sight now in my right eye and terrible vision in the left. Im an essential grocery manager but, no health insurance. This is the wrong. Enue im sure but, can anyone help
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
You should have made your own post, but nevertheless...
If you're in the US, you need to get registered with your state's vocational rehabilitation department for the blind. They will teach you the alternative techniques of blindness so that you can maintain employment.
It is illegal for your employer to fire you due to your visual impairment. By law, your employer must purchase any assistive technology you need to do your job.
I also suggest that you register with the National Federation of the Blind. They are a consumer-based organization of blind people in the US. They will provide friendship and mentorship as you adjust to blindness. They can also be useful with understanding and advocating for your rights if the voc rehab department and your employer make your life difficult.
Good luck.
If you're in the US, you need to get registered with your state's vocational rehabilitation department for the blind. They will teach you the alternative techniques of blindness so that you can maintain employment.
It is illegal for your employer to fire you due to your visual impairment. By law, your employer must purchase any assistive technology you need to do your job.
I also suggest that you register with the National Federation of the Blind. They are a consumer-based organization of blind people in the US. They will provide friendship and mentorship as you adjust to blindness. They can also be useful with understanding and advocating for your rights if the voc rehab department and your employer make your life difficult.
Good luck.
orioltheoreo 0 points 2y ago
You are so naive. AT elast in Spain, most employers will not even give you an interview if you are blind. Unless they know that blind people can use computers. It took me 2 years to find my job as a programmer.
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
I never said anything about the hiring process. All I said was that the poster's company cannot legally fire them just because they lost their vision, and that they must make any reasonable accommodations he needs to do his job.
orioltheoreo 1 points 2y ago
What I mean is that if you do not get an interview chance, there is no technology to purchase because the blind person did not get the job in the first place. :(
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