Against my better judgment, I'm going to chime in here. First off, I have been using Android and Talkback for a couple of years now, and I don't find it any more difficult than IOS. I would not say that it is totally inaccessible by any means. Where Google does fall down, however, is the lack of really good Braille support. It is better than it used to be but still has a long way to go. In my humble opinion, JAWS offers the best access to Braille out of all the products I've used with the exception of the specialized note takers. However, if you don't find a work-around, the Chrome book may indeed be useable at least with speech. I'd recommend at least giving it a try.
-----Original Message----- From: Jfw [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Holloway via Jfw Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 11:28 AM To: Marianne Denning; The Jaws for Windows support list. Subject: Re: Chromevox and Kindles vs JAWS and iPads Thanks to all who have replied. Marianne, would you happen to have a link to that particular letter from the OSEP? That sounds very specific and clear, and might prove handy in an upcoming IEP later this week. This situation is rather unusual, in that the school is actually anxious and willing to help, but they have dug a bit of a hole by not having checked about full accessibility, while actually moving towards this solution to attempt to ACCOMMODATE more students, and they have just made this switch. All we want is a workable solution. Letter of the law is a fine thing, but we just want a reasonable solution, for now. On the JAWS & Chromebook issue, I may not have been clear. I'm hoping to learn how Discover Learning reacts with JAWS on a PC as opposed to Chromevox on a Chromebook. I know that some web content just won't work with anything, so it may be a source issue more than the choice of chromebook vs JAWS I suspect they will happily grant us access to the system to test this all out, but I'd LOVE to hear what others might have experienced with that system, because I seriously doubt we can get the needed access to explore this before the meeting takes place, and again, this is about solving problems for my child right now before anything else of a broader nature. Thanks! On Aug 25, 2014, at 8:22 AM, Marianne Denning via Jfw <[email protected]> wrote: > I am a teacher of students who are visually impaired. The Office of > Special Education (OSEP) has issued a letter that no school district > is to provide materials in an electronic format that is not accessible > to all students. It does not matter whether there is a student in the > school who needs accessibility or not. Unfortunately, the school > districts are not getting the message. You certainly have a way to > fight this decision. Even if the school provides an alternative to > your daughter, she will not receive all of the information her sighted > peers receive. You can accept a work around or you can fight the > district on this issue. Many of us adults are used to making things > work but that is not always a good solution. > > On 8/25/14, Tom macha via Jfw <[email protected]> wrote: >> Good morning, yes that is right the school (state) is obligaited to >> provide her with a work-around. Have a great day, Tom >> On 8/25/2014 5:25 AM, Ed Marquette via Jfw wrote: >>> I think there won't be a JAWS solution available for you. Where >>> there is no Windows there will be no JAWS. >>> I've tried to use Chromevox on the PC with Google Docs and Google >>> Chrome. It stinks! >>> There is, nevertheless, some hope. >>> I have a Nexus Android device (came free with our Google Fiber >>> subscription). It has a built-in screen reader called talk back. >>> It is awkward, clunky, and hard to use, but it can be managed. >>> I would be surprised if a Google device isn't built on the android >>> operating system. So, Talkback should work. >>> Even if not, there is a company from Spain called Code Factory. >>> It used to make a screen reader (and a very good one) for Windows >>> phones (back when Microsoft thought it had to impose Windows on >>> mobile devices). When Microsoft dumped that operating system, >>> Code Factory turned to making Android devices talk. I've heard >>> demonstrations of the product (though not lately), and it is very >>> good; however, I don't know how long it can exist when Google >>> offers Talkback for free, even though Talkback is an inferior >>> product. >>> I think your school is legally obligated to make an accessible >>> option available to your daughter. If the school system refuses, >>> I think I can point you in the direction of someone who might >>> point out certain potentially applicable legal compulsions. >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Jfw [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >>> Richard Holloway via Jfw >>> Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2014 9:52 PM >>> To: The Jaws for Windows support list. >>> Subject: Chromevox and Kindles vs JAWS and iPads >>> >>> I could use some advice and feedback for the latest in screen >>> reading solutions. Our situation is that our daughter, 6th grade, >>> no light perception, a highly proficient Braille reader and >>> Braillenote Apex user, fairly handy with JAWS and iDevices may >>> well end up in a situation at school where all students are being >>> issued Chromebooks and Kindles. This sends off warning signals for >>> me, but I'm not sure what to do about it... >>> >>> The key focus of these devices seems to be centered around >>> products and services by Discovery Learning. I have a high level >>> of appreciation for what everyone from Discovery through the >>> school system is trying to offer kids by using these services. My >>> daughter is a super bright student. I have no doubt she can make >>> use of some of these materials despite her lack of vision, but >>> what is the best approach for her? >>> >>> My questions center on how best to access these materials. That's >>> what I hope I can learn from others here- >>> >>> How well does Chromevox (the built-in screenreader on Chromebooks, >>> as I understand it) work at this point? >>> >>> Have others here tried Chromevox with Discovery Education >>> materials? >>> >>> How about JAWS work with Discovery Learning? Any idea if she could >>> access the same materials with a laptop and JAWS effectively? >>> >>> As to the Kindle, I understand there are accessibility issues on >>> them, but there is also some iPod app for Kindle. Any ideas about >>> access, especially to Discovery Learning materials through that >>> app? >>> >>> Apologies for the partially off-tropic post, but it is somewhat >>> JAWS-related, and we are really in a bind here time-wise. We have >>> a meeting to discuss some of this with her school in three days. >>> I'd like any information I can come up with on this matter (I have >>> an inquiries in already with Discovery & Google, but so far I've >>> had no response.) >>> >>> I'd REALLY like to be able to point the school in the right >>> direction for a working solution or clear knowledge of things that >>> WON'T work as well... If they need to get her a laptop, JAWS, and >>> an iPad, they may well do it, but I suspect what may happen in >>> this meeting is that we learn they have NO IDEA what will or won't >>> work, or what steps to take next.. This needs not to drag out by >>> the week and month for her. >>> >>> Feel free to contact me off-list if responses seem too far off the >>> JAWS portion of the question. >>> >>> Many thanks to all! >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Jfw mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Jfw mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >> >> >> --- >> This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus >> protection is active. >> http://www.avast.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Jfw mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >> > > > -- > Marianne Denning, TVI, MA > Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired > (513) 607-6053 > > _______________________________________________ > Jfw mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com _______________________________________________ Jfw mailing list [email protected] http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com _______________________________________________ Jfw mailing list [email protected] http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com
