Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
5
↓
Best laptop / OS / software? (self.Blind)
submitted by peligant
I have an employee who will be starting soon who has Toxic Optic Neuropathy. He can read really large font at times but needs software that can read content to him
Is there a better laptop and operating system to suite his needs and what would be the best software for reading browser and other content out loud?
Working with a $3000 budget maybe more if needed.
UPDATE: thanks everyone for the replies it’s been very helpful and it’s appreciated by me and the new employee who is new to this condition.
Is there a better laptop and operating system to suite his needs and what would be the best software for reading browser and other content out loud?
Working with a $3000 budget maybe more if needed.
UPDATE: thanks everyone for the replies it’s been very helpful and it’s appreciated by me and the new employee who is new to this condition.
Winnmark 3 points 2y ago
Try to avoid the paid options if you can, not necessarily for monetary concerns, but because of what they promote.
Has the emplyee ask for something specific?
Has the emplyee ask for something specific?
Drop9Reddit 3 points 2y ago
What will the job entail. Is it Microsoft Office heavy custom app heavy. As different tools work better for different tasks. Do you have a specific chat platform. Does it play better with one. And as many have said does the user have a preference.
chicklitter 3 points 2y ago
Like MostlyBlindGamer said, ask him what he uses at home. There are options out there, but everyone has their preferences. I'm a sighted spouse who prefers the Apple ecosystem, and as a sighted person when I start jobs I'm typically asked if I want a Mac or PC and what software I'll need in order to do my job. The same consideration should be given to blind/low-vision employees who are being on-boarded, especially when factoring in screen readers and magnifiers. :)
je97 3 points 2y ago
What does he use at home? Unless he expresses a preference otherwise, stick with the same screen reader he used at home to minimise learning curves. Definitely don't make the mac/windows or windows/mac switch unless he wants it, given you've got such a large budget.
MostlyBlindGamer 3 points 2y ago
First off, you can probably get government funding for accommodations.
Windows her a built-in magnifier and screen reader (Narrator). There's also NVDA - a popular free screen reader for Windows.
Paid options include JAWS and ZoomText.
macOS also has built-in options that are generally considered superior to those on Windows: Zoom and VoiceOver.
I believe Chrome OS also has accessibility features, but I'm not familiar with them.
There are options for Linux, but I would say they're less user friendly.
Ask them what they use at home and consider getting some trials for the commercial software I mentioned.
Windows her a built-in magnifier and screen reader (Narrator). There's also NVDA - a popular free screen reader for Windows.
Paid options include JAWS and ZoomText.
macOS also has built-in options that are generally considered superior to those on Windows: Zoom and VoiceOver.
I believe Chrome OS also has accessibility features, but I'm not familiar with them.
There are options for Linux, but I would say they're less user friendly.
Ask them what they use at home and consider getting some trials for the commercial software I mentioned.
peligant [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thank you! I have heard about JAWS before and will research paid options.
macadamia_owl 3 points 2y ago
There's Supernova too. They have Magnification, Magnification & Speech, Magnification Speech & Braille packages. Nice thing is their product you can plug in any USB camera and it will act as digital magnifier on spilt screen view or second screen like monitor or tablet (it supports touch gestures) it works for near and distance viewing. I don't remember the details i was beta tester of early versions. There's automatic language recognition, inteligent color inversing that leaves natural colors of pictures if you want. But it's overall very expensive
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 2y ago
No problem.
I hear JAWS is the most compatible option for business software.
By the way, these tools are all fairly demanding on a computer, so you should consider something beefier than work typical office machine.
I hear JAWS is the most compatible option for business software.
By the way, these tools are all fairly demanding on a computer, so you should consider something beefier than work typical office machine.
RJHand 3 points 2y ago
Yes jaws, aside from literally have job in the name lol, has superior navigation methods when it comes to programs like word or xl. You can't go wrong with it, however it is pretty expensive. It also depends on what your work needs are, as voiceover on the mac side is pretty geared towards productivity as well. Its not that NVDA isn't, its just open source and you'll need to often find addons to make it better for certain tasks. I'd say its superior when it comes to coding python, for example. Its very good for programming as the screen reader itself can be programmed to your needs. Jaws can too, although not as extensively. Jaws scripting is pretty cool still, if you know how to do it, and many are available if you don't.
Sorry I didn't mean to make this into a which screen reader is better, though. As with anything, there are pros and cons to any option and so its best that OP or the person in question look at the pros and cons for each of the available accessible software and find which would fit their situation personally. I can't provide much information on magnifiers as I don't use them, but I've heard great things about zoom text, or apples built in zoom. Can't help ya much there, though.
Sorry I didn't mean to make this into a which screen reader is better, though. As with anything, there are pros and cons to any option and so its best that OP or the person in question look at the pros and cons for each of the available accessible software and find which would fit their situation personally. I can't provide much information on magnifiers as I don't use them, but I've heard great things about zoom text, or apples built in zoom. Can't help ya much there, though.
MostlyBlindGamer 3 points 2y ago
I just tried to point out the major options to OP, but you're right - nothing beats research and testing with their workflow.
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
Remember: payed doesn’t always mean it’s the best.
NVDA is a great option for most things
As others have said, ask him.
NVDA is a great option for most things
As others have said, ask him.
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
you wrote: "macOS also has built-in options that are generally considered superior to those on Windows". I agree if your assertion is that the builtin mac options are better than the builtin Windows ones. however if you meant that support for Access Technology is generally better on mac, I'd argue that's a bit more task dependent. Very few coherent academics or speedy blind people of my acquaintance are anywhere near as productive on Mac as they are in Windows in the workplace.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 2y ago
Yes, agreed.
macOS has a lower skill floor, but also a lower skill ceiling as far as assistive technology goes.
As a matter of fact, Apple has literally given up on bluetooth Braille displays on Big Sur, going forward. Their suggested workaround is to plug them in via USB. Using an adapter, probably, but that's a whole other can of worms.
macOS has a lower skill floor, but also a lower skill ceiling as far as assistive technology goes.
As a matter of fact, Apple has literally given up on bluetooth Braille displays on Big Sur, going forward. Their suggested workaround is to plug them in via USB. Using an adapter, probably, but that's a whole other can of worms.
ColonelKepler 2 points 2y ago
Apologies for the late reply, but can you elaborate? Do bluetooth displays not work at all? I'm toying with the idea of doing a Hackintosh, but that would be a dealbreaker.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I own braille displays and macs and it works fabulously on one and doesn’t want to work on another. And it depends. But that’s interesting I have also not heard much about the newest thing I’ll have to test it out and then can return if I remember or post on the sub to tell y’all how it works.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 2y ago
I've heard bad things about Braille display support on macOS. I don't use one myself though. What isn't supported is Bluetooth functionality for Braille fodido. If you can use it wired, it'll work.
For specifics, I hear applevis.com is the place to go.
For specifics, I hear applevis.com is the place to go.
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.