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