I have a Braillino with the latest firmware and Bluetooth upgrade. You are
absolutely going to love how it works with iPhone / iTouch. Good luck!
----- Original Message -----
From: "carolyn Haas" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: braille and voice over?
Hi Priscilla:
Another option to consider is the Btraillino.
I've worked with it only once with a mac and an iPhone. But, it left such a
strong and a good impression that I'm happy to say I will be getting one as
soon as Handytech NA ships. That is, assuming DVR placed the order on
Friday as they said they would.:)
I've heard no serious complaint about this display, and As erik points out,
displays and preference are pretty arbitrary.
Have fun with your search and check out as many as you can.
Carolyn
On Apr 17, 2011, at 8:27 AM, erik burggraaf wrote:
Hi, Braille displays are a very personal thing, much like voices and
voice settings. What feels comfortable in my hand may not be comfortable
in your hand. The shape of the cells and positioning of the keys is
extremely important. So, I suggest you feel as many displays as you can
to determine which is most comfortable for you.
I must say, apple braille support is very good. It's highly configurable.
Bluetooth and usb are both supported. computer braille input is
supported. There are some improvements I would like to see for the
release of Lion, including grade two input and the ability to define mac
OS key assignments as well as voiceover key assignments. The edition of
return and backspace keys for braille input wouldn't come a miss either.
I have personal experience with the braille connect and the focus 40 blue,
and I've also heard good things about the alva BC640. I've taught all of
these displays, and I prefer the braille connect. It's more expensive,
but it's the smallest and lightest in it's class. It's the best built out
of the three displays I've tried far and away. It feels comfortable in my
hand. The control surface is very streamlined and nice. Plus you can now
get a beautiful executive products leather case for it which rocks if I do
say so myself.
If you have a braille note or a braille sense they will work with the mack
very nicely. This would be a much more expensive solution than a braille
display but would give you more functionality in terms of note taking in
class. I'd love to get a braillelite up and running but it just isn't
going to happen. Even if you were to get a nice usb to serial cable and
get it all hooked up, there isn't a voiceover driver for the braillelite,
so it will just be ignored.
Hope this helps,
Erik Burggraaf
User support consultant,
Now posting occasionally on twitter at eburggraaf,
1-888-255-5194
http://www.erik-burggraaf.com
On 2011-04-16, at 8:54 PM, Priscilla Garces wrote:
Hey all listers,
I'm new to the Mac operating system being that I switched from windows
after I graduated from college.
What made me switch is because of the cost effectiveness in terms of
accessibility out of the box. When I used a PC I used a screen reader
called jaws for windows and these can run from the range of $600 to
upgrade and $1000 to purchase the screen reader + the annual fee which is
high in order to maintain the SMA's. That is separate in addition to the
cost of the hardware itself based on research on the various costs of
computers ranging from 400 to $900 even more for quality computing.
Another reason is the fact that tech support is available for the
computer in person and the time and inconvenience in resolving the
various troubles faced when using Jaws and the added fact that you need
sighted assistance which is not granted by phone. With Apple I can go to
the center which is near my house and have all of my computer problems
and even receive training on the accessibility depending on the knowledge
of the person who has experience with its use. That and many other
reasons most of them being financial and personal as well as the added
fact that the state refuses to pay for the upgrade or purchase of new
software to perform the appropriate tasks independently is the factor
that made me consider buying the mac being that I wanted to try something
different. Hence the long story I have questions regarding the use of
braille displays and the mac as well as scanning software that is
accessible for mac users using voiceover.
Does anyone have experience using braille displays with the mac? If so,
which braille display do you use and what is your experiences with its
ease of reading, accessibility etc? Would the braille note be useful a
braille display? Which braille displays are cheaper, the braille note or
a standalone braille display? I have an old braille lite millennium,
would that work with the mac? Because if it does that would be great and
I won't have to deal with the commission refusing to purchase anything
and deal with the stress of fighting them to get what I really need. If
not I understand the need for new equipment which I need for grad school
or work anyway.
Based on your experiences, which braille display or notetaker works
better with the mac? Also which scanning program works well with voice
over based on experience?
Any advise is appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Priscilla Garces
[email protected]
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