I would like to second Kelly's comments. When I accepted my current role at the
university a variety of adaptive technology had been purchased by an uniformed
predecessor. Fortunately I was able to return most of what was purchased, and
get the AT that my users wanted. The smaller units, up to the Braille Lite 19
from Blazie are really personal devices, and as such are not suitable for
institutional purchase.
The need for AT at a personal and a institutional level are very different. The
individual may want something that is easily portable, and suitable for quick
and easy use. On the other hand, the institutional person (ME), wants a piece of
equipment that maximizes flexibility, hence our purchase of an 80 column
display, and most recently one of the new ALVA 570 units. Risk management also
likes the larger units since they are much harder to walk away with.
Since we are now also checking out laptops to students for classroom use, we
will be picking up at least one 40 cell unit, which is the typical configuration
for the Professional who is a Braille users.
Ron Stewart
-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Ford [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 3:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fw: Braille style manual
I hope that any libraries or others considering the purchase of a braille
display who do not have to use the technology will seek out comments from
multiple people who read braille on a braille display before making any
purchases. I know all too well how expensive access technology is but as
someone who's been reading braille for more than 25 years, I have to point
out that an eight cell display is far too short for most people to use
effectively. At best you get two to three words displayed on the unit at a
time and must then scroll the document to continue reading. This is at
best and much of the time you get only one word on the eight cell display
at a time. It just isn't comfortable for anything beyond basic computer
navigation in my opinion.
This is in no way intended to say that the Bookworm isn't a quality
product. I believe it can be appropriate in certain settings but not for
any sort of lengthy reading.
Others may have widely different opinions. That's why I strongly urge
people to get feedback from the people who will use the technology in
making a purchasing choice.
---
Kelly Ford
Access Technology Coordinator
Mt. Hood Community College
EASI's online workshop on Barrier-free Educational Technology,
Barrier-free Ed-Tech, begins March, 13.
Making campuses accessible is the right thing to do,
and it is the law. For information, go to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi and click on workshops.
EASI's online workshop on Barrier-free Educational Technology,
Barrier-free Ed-Tech, begins March, 13.
Making campuses accessible is the right thing to do,
and it is the law. For information, go to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi and click on workshops.
|
