Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Newly Impaired, learning resources for tech stuff (self.Blind)
submitted by YoYo31415
Can anyone point me to some good resources to learn how to use my iPad/MacBook Air/Windows laptop more effectively with a vision impairment? I’m most interested in font enlargement, including for operating system stuff like menus (without changing screen resolution or just magnifying small bits of the screen), and details on screen reading features (how to just play the bits I want, pause, skip ahead, etc). I imagine these are all really obvious once you know how, but never having needed these features before, I’m really struggling. Would someone at an apple store be my best bet for specific questions on the apple products, or are there other good places to learn? What about for the pc?
I had a disappointing adaptive tech appointment today. The specialist was as clueless as I was. :/
I had a disappointing adaptive tech appointment today. The specialist was as clueless as I was. :/
BlakeBlues 3 points 2y ago
Window + =/+ key works too start the windows magnifier. Win + esc closes. I use it on and off. If you are looking for a screen reader, try nvda. Windows narrator isn't great.
YoYo31415 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you!
Prefect316 3 points 2y ago
For your Apple questions, hit up Applevis.com. I used that site exclusively when I got my first Mac and iPhone and they're great.
For Windows stuff I'm at a loss. Hopefully someone can suggest something good.
For Windows stuff I'm at a loss. Hopefully someone can suggest something good.
YoYo31415 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I will check it out, thanks!
ftrnlt 2 points 2y ago
I use Windows Magnifier in docked mode, so what it does is creates a vertically sizeable zoomed view at the top of the screen. I think mine occupies maybe 25% of vertical space from the top of the screen, and spans all the way across the width. Then the rest of the screen real estate is for "normal" windows, which i generally use for positional context, but I mostly read by looking at the magnified portion. I also have the "follow text insertion point" enabled, so the zoom automatically focuses on where I am typing.
Previously I used full screen magnification but that is super disorienting, until I saw a video by a RP guy named Abrar Sheikh on YouTube. Was a game changer. Works on a Mac as well.
That said I should start learning to use a screen reader, since the magnification strategy is getting less useful as my condition deteriorates.
Previously I used full screen magnification but that is super disorienting, until I saw a video by a RP guy named Abrar Sheikh on YouTube. Was a game changer. Works on a Mac as well.
That said I should start learning to use a screen reader, since the magnification strategy is getting less useful as my condition deteriorates.
lhamil64 2 points 2y ago
A tip with full screen magnifier, if you hit Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar it temporarily zooms out and highlights the zoomed in area which might help orient you.
YoYo31415 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you!
blind_cowboy 2 points 2y ago
Being completely blind, I never paid attention to Windows native magnification options. Give Microsoft support articles a shot at that. They seem to have articles for just about everything.
YoYo31415 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Good idea, thanks.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Complain about the person and see if you can get another assistive tech person who knows the low vision stuff to help you out.
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