How do the blind use computers?

Posted by Nicky on 12/28/2000 at 2:47 PM

I heard that the blind can use computers and I'm wondering how they do this. Also, what kinds of things do blind people do with thier computers?

There are currently 34 replies

technology for blind computer users

People who are blind can use their computers by installing hardware or software that simulates the human voice reading the computer screen or produces hard-copy output in braille.

People with low vision sometimes use screen magnifiers, which make the page easier to read. If you want to find out more about this technology, check out our Web Accessibility collection (http://www.afb.org/webaccess.asp) in the Information Center, or the Technology Overview at http://www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?document....

UNLIMITED

I have low vision of 5/450 in both eyes. I currently use my computer for learning computer programming, (visual basic and C++). It can be difficult but with the help of special software and hardware I can do what I need to do to reach my goal. Your eyes don't limit you, only your non-belief in your abilities will.

Re:How do the blind use computers

Hey My Name is Jordan Xavier Mirander. I use Jaws for windows 3.3. to help me navigate the internet. I'm blind, but some people use window eyes. If you want to find you can e-mail me at dodgejord@aol.com.

Screen Power Braille40

I also use screen power braille40 manufactured buy Telesensory which has now bought out buy blazie. They just recently combined with Henter-Joyce, and is now called Freedom Scientific. Please e-mail me at dodgejord@aol.com

Computer Access for the Blind

Hi. As you have seen by the responses to your query, blind people can efficiently use computers for tasks such as Web surfing, reading email, programming and reading and submitting messages to boards such as this one. I am a teacher, who teaches both kids and adults who are blind how to use computers and I myself am also blind. If you have any specific questions, please visit my Web site at www.davidgoldfield.com or email me at info@davidgoldfield.com. I use what is known as a screen reader, a piece of software which converts what is on the screen into synthetic speech. I mainly use it for Web surfing, reading email and scanning Doctor Who novels with OCR software, as those books aren't usually available in Braille or on tape.

Blind people can use Computer's.

Hello iam a 48yr.old man iam totally blind person.I use my computer to surf the web,Jaw's read's my E-mail,i do programming and contact my blind friends on the internet.i also use the Ruby edt that reads all of my Text mail.with out this i would be lost.i feel i came a long way's sense i became blind.if anyone needs a friend or some one to talk to oklahoma482_1@netzero.net .thanks.

school project

I'm doing a project to design a computer for the blind but I'm kind of in a jam. If any body could email me with some info on how your computer works (if you are blind) and help me out a little. my email is qaelder@hotmail.com. thanks

looking for input of services for blind college students

I am currently a student at the University of Maryland. I am currently doing a first hand research project on how the school's services for the blind compare to those of other schools. If you are a college student and visually impaired, i would appreciate any information you have as to the services that are provided by your university to you. My email is jlennon@wam.umd.edu. Thanks.

It is all in the Attitude!

I personally use my computer to run my own International Marketing Company from my home around my two small girls. I use both the Enlargement and speach porssions of Zoomtext. I know other people with no site that can operate a computer better then sited people and work for a large company here in the Seattle area. It is all how you wish to get the job done.

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I use the computer all of the time and I have never had any training. I talk to my computer using a microphone and can surf the web, all without talking. I use a device called FreedomBox from a company called Serotek. It has completely changed my life! I needed zero training which was the best part and being able to surf the net with just my voice is great! Everything is read to me. The best part is, is that my family, who are sighted can use the same computer without having change settings. If you have any questions about this just email me at prybelski1@yahoo.com

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I'm a college student doing a paper on what a blind person envisions when using a computer and how are computers taught to you. Please send respondes to djb31@pitt.edu thanks!

Re:How do the blind use computers?

hi i am Suman Kumar Bhokray
totally blind
first thanks to microsoft
cause of them
i can use computer as normal peapal
i work with microsoft narrator
its a free screen reader
from microsoft
u know i can even manage my network
on windows xp,2000,2003 servers
thank you
Suman Kumar Bhokray

Re:How do the blind use computers?

If a blind person does not know the keyboard is there voice activated data entry software?

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I have just returned from Vietnam where I support a amazing small project in Hue ( central Vietnam) There is a university student who suddenly lost his sight. Undaunted, he taught himself braille and is now teaching 20 other blind people braille. His dream is to be able to work with a computer and teach computing to his 20 students. Can anyone tell me what technology would work for them? Bare in mind they speak and read braille in Vietnamese
Thanks Josephine

Re:How do the blind use computers?

Hi Josephine
My name is Kevin Long. I am fluently bilingual English and Vietnames. I am a software engineer from Colorado USA. I am willing to help my vietnamese people. You can email me at kevinlbd@gmail.com if i can help you with anything. Developing software for blind vietnamese or etc...

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I have to make a computer for a blind person.i am not a blind but,i have to do some thing for blind persons which r not able to see this beautful world. I m student of p.g.d.c.c.a. for this purpose i want a one tuch screen monitor with sound reflection of selected icon & laser sensitive brell language keybord.can i get a computer hardware of this type ?

Re:How do the blind use computers?

hey everyone
im a student doning a project on blind people and i would like it if maybe someone can help me out?
i just want to know how would a blind person know if there is something wrong with their computer?
thanx

Re:How do the blind use computers?

Yesterday while travelling, a thought immediately came to mind, can't blinds use computer ? I got shocked why this thought didn't came to my mind early. And the solution I was thinking of was not too difficult I guess. I thought everything we use in computer are links e.g. for using notepad, we click on notepad in the start menu, for internet, for My Computer the same (There are other ways I know like command prompt) but generally naive users follow the the easiest. So I thought whatever links are there should be sensed and those should be conveyed to blind user when kept mouse on the link for some amount of time in the form of audio as the mechanism in Adobe reader to read the document line by line. for writting something, the key should get conveyed to the user in the same way as echo or as I knew blind people have very strong recognition power by touching the things. So we can make the keyboard key shapes to how the charactes look or be written. User can also cheque whether he/she has written right thing or not by pressing a key which would read from the specific point to the specific point user wants.

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I have a young fellow in Ethiopia who is blind and would like to use the computer. He is not proficient in English ,but his brither who lives near him is. Do you have any suggesrions how to proceed? Hugo Pfaltz

Re:How do the blind use computers?

Hi. I'm working on a school project and I need to know what kind of special software/hardware do computers used by blind people need...Also, wat kind of games do blind people play??

Help will be appreciated. TY

Re:How do the blind use computers?

please email me on astroshrum@hotmail.com

Re:How do the blind use computers?

Good Day My Name is Carlos

Through out the years I habe been loosing my vision for using computer so much to the point that now I have an implant in my eye and I was wondering if there is any technology out there that would turn text into voice so I can hear it automatically?

Text such as emails, letters, books and documents. Audio books are expensive and I`m looking for either a free, open source or inexpensive way to do this

Best regards, you may contact me at santofimio@gmail.com

Carlos

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I had a blog on how to make computers for Blind that I would like to share here ...
http://sabersurge.com/shout/index.php?/archives/1-...>
http://sabersurge.com/shout/index.php?/archives/1-...

Re:How do the blind use computers?

we are doing our project on email application on blind we need help..

Dad needs help with computer!!!

Looks like no one has used this message for some time. I'm looking for information on how a blind person can use a computer. My dad in his 80's is just blind. And I would like to help him get back on his computer. In the Army he helped with the first computers there. And in over the years has help so many of us on the computer. I know I was one. And now its his time to get some help. He is a good man and I know this would just make his world so much better now. He did so much on his computer. He is in AZ and I'm in VA. Does anyone know of where I can get information or a person in AZ to set something up for him?
Thank you. dleemitch@yahoo.com

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I saw this non-profit compant on the Internet, Texas Center for the Visually Challenged at http://www.computersfortheblind.net, which ships computers to blind people for free!

This sounds nice.

Re:How do the blind use computers?

I saw this non-profit company on the Internet, Texas Center for the Visually Challenged at http://www.computersfortheblind.net, which ships computers to blind people for free!

This sounds nice.

Re:How do the blind use computers?

Our ALL INDIA DR.AMBETHKAR TRUST is registered charity registered with Home Ministry of India under FCRA Act1976 for rendering services to needy people in India.Now we are imparting computer training to visually impaired with one old computer.we need blind computer in 10 Nos.for imparting training to the above segments.Lot of educated employee require computer training but we are unable to teach without computer.please provide 10 blind computer for the above noble work.
thanking you
our mailing address,
MANAGING TRUSTEE,
ALL INDIA DR.AMBETHKAR TRUST,
94.DR AMBEDKAR NAGAR,
ERUMAPATTY.PO,
NAMAKKAL.TK&DT,
TAMIL NADU,
PIN.637013.
OUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS allindiadrambedkartrust@gmail.com.

Re:How do the blind use computers?

There is a great program by AdaptiveVoice called CDesk, which is really easy to use and is all high contrast/magnifiable and speech enabled to make it easy for blind and visually impaired persons. You can do word processing, emails, internet browsing, internet radio and loads more with the program. They have a website where you can download a demo at www.adaptivevoice.com and they sell through the Chicago Lighthouse www.chicagolighthouse.org.

Re: How do the blind use computers?

I have successfully been using computers now for several years. In addition to System Access by Serotek, I have begun using the free and open-source screen reader Non-Visual Desktop Access on a daily basis. It is an excellent screen reader. I was a JAWS user for awhile and really like it, but it's very expensive and might not be the most economical option for some.

Re: How do the blind use computers?

I remember when I was 20 I used to build my own pc, it sas a MMX and now it is garbage. Technology is growing too fast for me to keep up. At 49 now I know how my 'rents felt. lol
/Don
http://theblind.us/

Re: How do the blind use computers?

Please Help Me!
I am creating a resource directory for the blind by the blind and I need your help!
Please go to your US state and suggest any sites from your area that benefit the blind, in some way.
Thanks - Donald The Blind Webmaster

http://www.theblind.us/

Re: How do the blind use computers?

#1 This is a new Topic "Resourdes for the Blind#
#2 Why reinvent the wheeL? We have many respurce lists. Lightkouse Int'l, AFB, ACB, NFB, all the states, What is wrong with them? Why do we need yours? How qill it be funged? Who is behind it?

Re: How do the blind use computers?

four letters, four words. and here they are:

n
v
d
a
non
visual
desktop
access.
the link is www.nvda-project.org. ms