mark,

the ironic thing about access to information technology for people with
disabilities, particularly the blind, is that the access to the technology
costs more than the underlying technology itself.  For example, screen
readers now cost more than computers.  Unfortunately, there is no such thing
as a windows screen reader that is free or available for under $100.  you
don't say how you access the computer now and who paid for that access.  if
you use a screen reader to compose the e-mail sent to the list, could you
also use it at home?  how was the software licensed?  some screen reader
companies allow for several installations, such as on a home and work
computer.  If multiple installations are not possible, there are other
options for saving, including some grant programs which appeared on this
list in the last year, tapping social Security benefits, and low interest
loan programs for adaptive technology.  for more info on funding issues,
check out my package of articles on esight.org   Free registration is
required.  Be sure to read the overview piece.  It was culled from my
experience and the knowledge of disability leaders from around the country.

Kelly


----- Original Message -----
From: "Rew, Mark, CIV, OASD(HA)/TMA" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 3:05 PM
Subject: Low cost assistive technology.


> Hi list,
>
> I inherited a Pentium 2 Gateway machine.  The computer is running Windows
> 98, with 64 mb RAM, and a 10 GB hard drive.  I don't know a whole lot else
> about the machine.  I believe it has IE and outlook, but I do not know
what
> versions yet.  The price was right,  so I would like to be able to make
use
> of it.
>
> Question?  I'm looking for the cheapest way to make the machine
accessible.
> I'm totally blind, so I'm interested in a screen reader, a scanner/reader,
> and I want to be able to save files and music to the CDROM.  Oh, I know it
> has a burn drive, but I do not know what brand.
>
> Well, any suggestions/smile?
>
> thanks
>
> Mark Rew
> Team Leader, Blind and Low Vision Team
>
> TEL 703-681-8812 TTY 703-681-0881        FAX 703-681-9075
>
> Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP)
> visit us online www.tricare.osd.mil/cap
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask]  In the body of the message, simply type
> "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
>  VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
>
>


VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask]  In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
 VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html