On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 13:12:05 -0700 (PDT), ec <
eculbert@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Today, while volunteering at the Scottsdale Senior
> Center's open computer lab, I had someone come in and
> ask about 'low vision/blind' computer usage. Since
> these puters are Doze xp machines, all I had was
> upping the font in Word to 500 percent and she still
> had problems.
>
> I suggested that they get a used computer and go to an
> installfest. I also suggested and gave them our list
> site to get in touch with the PLUG mailing list.
>
> Now, being new to the Senior Center, I think that
> possibly there might be a need for one of my 'junkers'
> a k6-2 350 to be setup for the blind IF anyone knows
> how. It is totally available for wipeout and install
> of any distro that is best suited to the purpose of
> demo'ing what Linux has to offer the blind.
>
> Now IF anyone wants to tackle this, I can try to get
> the system either to the next installfest or other
> arrangements.
>
> Once installed, I could drag it into the Senior Center
> for demo's on a pre-arranged basis.
>
> The problem is I am here on Saturday's 10a-2p altho I
> could 'skip' one weekend IF necessary. I could also
> get the system down to the Muse next tuesday IF
> someone wants to take it and set it up.
>
> I am just a Knoppix hacker, and definitely not aware
> of what and how to setup for the blind. Altho, I
> should be..severe glaucoma here. Loose the left eye
> and would need it myself.
>
> Just a request/thought.
>
> Boy did I feel lost today when that couple came in.
>
I still haven't seen a reply on this one, and I'm still interested in a
reply.
At ASU, they had two computers in the large commons that were completely
blind-accessible. I never looked at any of the software at all, but the
obvious hardware added was a personal opaque projector and a dynamic
braile device. It literally popped up braile bubbles. Given OCR
software, one can imagine the combinations.
Except for that one thorn in the side, blindness, the computer by itself
is the ultimate accessibility device. Steven Hawking has a bastardized
computer -- it has no keyboard and the mouse has no ball. He controlls it
by going, "click, wait, click, wait, wait, wait, click, wait, ..." as it
flips through the menus through time. (A two dimensional device... X and
T! ooooo... Lorenz eat your heart out.)
Just after I left ASU, the CS department got some grants for researching
blind computer accessibility. I remember a picture with the chair of the
department sitting next to a blond, long-haired blind guy. Maybe they
have some info.
At the very basic, one should just swap a monitor for a brailer, and use
tty to get around and lynx/links for internet.
--
--Alexander
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