Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Computer reccomendations for school. (self.Blind)
submitted by Spirit-Solid
I am returning back to school and am recently visually impaired. I am shopping for the right equipment to succeed, ie computer, tablet etc.
What devices have the best accessability for low vision users? I can still read and use the device with enlarged fonts and UI so i am looking for a larger screen laptop particuarly, but have found the large screen devices to be kinda pricey, i am looking for sub 1000 dollars for the purchase.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
What devices have the best accessability for low vision users? I can still read and use the device with enlarged fonts and UI so i am looking for a larger screen laptop particuarly, but have found the large screen devices to be kinda pricey, i am looking for sub 1000 dollars for the purchase.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
RunsOnBoltCoffee 3 points 2y ago
Thoroughly enjoying my new 17” Dell Precision.
BlindLuck72 2 points 2y ago
I’ve had good luck with my dell XPS. Every company I’ve worked at issues dell laptops and I’ve had good luck with them. For the most part the experience is the OS. The laptop just needs to work and not come with a bunch of bloat ware installed
RunsOnBoltCoffee 1 points 2y ago
Doesn’t matter as much when they’re throwing 32GB of RAM into new machines. Lol
StrawbearieWheee 3 points 2y ago
I use an acer aspire v 17 nitro. It has a really big screen, the biggest I've ever encountered on a laptop, but it was pretty expensive when I got it several years ago. Might could find a refurbished one for cheaper. I used it through out high-school, it can take some beatings and even having a whole carten of milk accidently spilled on it. Good luck finding a laptop bag to carry it though. Even with the best one I could find I can't zip it closed.
Spirit-Solid [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thats the same type of laptop I had considered buying. I am not a fan of apple produxts and know my way around microsoft like a pro. I feel it would be harder to learn a whole nother system now. Thank you for conforming that the 17inch computer will work well. I plan on doing online classes only so carrying it shouldn't be an issues.
StrawbearieWheee 1 points 2y ago
You're welcome! The model I listed also has a back-lit keyboard, which helps me visually when I needed it and makes using it in lower light settings much easier too. It also has the F and J keys physicly marked with little line bumps, so its easy to index for touch typing. I'd rate it as a real good computer for the visually impaired, even if it was meant for gamers, lol. And I feel you on the ios and macs thing. I know windows like the back of my hand, but I'm completely lost on ios/Mac stuff.
Spirit-Solid [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you everyone that helped me with my question. Although Apple products may have more accessibility I dont believe they are the right computer for me. I feel that trying to learn another operating system would be more difficult. I have used microsoft for years and atleast know where things are located.
PorkchopMeli 2 points 2y ago
I’m a Voc rehab counselor for the blind and many of my students prefer Apple products because they have the best accessibility without buying external software like Zoomtext or JAWS. (P.S. I should clarify I’m not blind myself but just sharing what my kids are sharing with me)
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
As an access tech teacher As well as an end user being blind, I find this largely holds true for the partially sighted but without really good instruction, I've not seen many totally blind Mac users be very productive with VoiceOver. Apple undoubtedly have the best mobile Ux for us But I'm not convinced MacOS is comparable to Windows with a' screen reader, at least wanting the levels of efficiency I try to instil in my students.
PorkchopMeli 2 points 2y ago
I have to agree there. Once my totally blind kids get the hang of JAWS or Fusion, I’ve been amazed with how agile and quick they become. It is hard when they are taught and schooled in Apple and then they reach me and I have to tell them employers tend to use PC and we have to train that so late. I wish more high schools would adopt PC tools and software. At least here in Illinois that is.
retrolental_morose 3 points 2y ago
We're going largely cloud here but still, whilst most offices and such are Windows based, it makes sense to teach that.
I've had so many parents fall into the VoiceOver trap, thinking that the easeof-use from the iPhone will transfer to the desktop when of course in reality, mobile VO came second. and is a vastly different experience.
I've had so many parents fall into the VoiceOver trap, thinking that the easeof-use from the iPhone will transfer to the desktop when of course in reality, mobile VO came second. and is a vastly different experience.
AndAdapt 1 points 2y ago
The way zoom works on the Mac is very nice. It's invert colours works well too
CosmicBunny97 1 points 2y ago
I would recommend a MacBook and an iPad. The iPad makes it easier to read textbooks and you can use the Apple Pencil and apps like GoodNotes to take notes in class, zoom in to enlarge etc. as for the MacBook, maybe it’s just personal preference but I preferred the Mac magnifier over Windows. I’d recommend going to stores to play around if you can.
RochelleIshani 1 points 2y ago
(i am not visually impaired)
I would imagine a high contrast between black and white and good brightness would help?
If so, make sure to get a laptop with ips panel, since those have really good contrast and are usually pretty bright if needed
I would imagine a high contrast between black and white and good brightness would help?
If so, make sure to get a laptop with ips panel, since those have really good contrast and are usually pretty bright if needed
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