Hi Tom
Don't get too bogge down with technology that you may or may not need. Think about what you would use some of this stuff for and how often. A good pc and a current screen reader would make a good start. How often do you have the need for a paper copy? If the answer is often then a braille embosser is on your list. Unfortunately they tend to take up to much space and can be loud. a braille display tends to be a necessity if you are in a situation where you can't use speech. I would think that a braille display might have been more of a need in the classroom. If you do go display shopping, take a look at the units sold by perkins. Don't currently own one but I may have to go display shopping this summer.
Best of luck
Richardd
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Behler <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Thursday, Feb 9, 2012 08:06:32 PM
Subject: Off Topic: Need Some Adaptive Technology Advice: Please Respond Off List
>
>
> Hello, everyone.
>
> Today, I had one of the biggest surprises of my life, and am still somewhat
> in shock. As a result, I need some adaptive technology advice.
>
> Please respond to this off list, because it is very "off topic".
>
> My current Department Head at the University where I teach is moving up to a
> position in the Dean's office, and today, he offered me the position of
> Acting Head (or Chair) for my department. The position involves a
> significant salary increase, but along with that comes a 12-month job (as
> opposed to my current 9-month position), and a whole raft of new
> responsibilities.
>
> To be honest, I haven't decided whether I'm going to take the position, or
> just keep my life simple and continue with my teaching.
>
> As I'm sure you can imagine, there are many aspects to a decision like this,
> and one of them concerns adaptive technology, how much I need to negotiate
> for new equipment to do the job, etc..
>
> To keep it brief, my office technology now involves a Windows PC, Jaws, and
> a 20-year-old Braille Blazer that has been on its last leg for years.
>
> I do have a Juliet Pro-60 embosser here at home, but even that is once again
> in need of servicing.
>
> If I do take this position, I am thinking of asking the University to buy me
> a new Braille embosser for the office, plus a refreshable Braille device,
> such as the Brailliant. Up until now, with my teaching, I haven't felt the
> need for a refreshable Braille device, but with the new position and its
> plethora of forms, letters, presentations, etc., it seems that a refreshable
> display might be helpful. The Juliet or other Braille embosser, of course,
> would be used to make permanent Braille copies of documents that will be
> filed away for future reference.
>
> Do these requests seem reasonable? Is there another combination of Braille
> output devices that I might consider that would be less costly for the
> University, if I decide to take the position?
>
> I realize that the answers to questions like these often boil down to
> opinion, but I am willing to consider whatever suggestions anyone can come
> up with.
>
> Once again, I have not decided to take the position yet, but it is indeed
> nice to get the offer.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
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