Technological Solutions for the Partially Sighted? 24
Jakeg asks: "My gran is currently losing her vision at a rapid rate and I'd desperately like to use technology to help her as best I can. She's used email on a computer before but is generally nervous of computers and technology. She's applied for talking books which come on tapes and CDs, some using DAISY . Can anyone here who is themselves partially sighted/blind, or knows someone who is, suggest what else I can do/buy for her? I was thinking perhaps of an DAP (MP3) jukebox loaded with her favourite music and audio books (which I could download from where?), which I could add more to every now and then. Solutions -must- be very easy to use, especially without good vision. I have a budget of around UKP500 (US$800)."
I wish I could help... (Score:5, Informative)
That's the best I can offer at the moment. I can tell you that I did work with a blind person before. He was able to be rather productive in a technical support enviornment. So I'd say there's a good shot there is something useful you can find. I do worry, though, that if she's afraid of computers, she'll find this a little too daunting.
Good luck, man.
Re:I wish I could help... (Score:1, Offtopic)
Does it sound like Ahh-nold?
Well for the download part (Score:3)
For books, check out audible.com, $20 a month gets you 2 books. They have a decent(if not huge) selection, maybe you can browse around, see if there is anything she is interested in. You can also buy them directly from audible or use iTunes to buy them, but seeing as how most books average about $10-15 easily, you would probably be better off going with a subscription.
Good luck, and you are to be commended for your kindness.
Re:Well for the download part (Score:2)
and for staying on topic.. here(http://www.talx.de/index_e.shtml) [www.talx.de] is software for symbian based mobile phones to let blind people operate them more easily.
from the page*: This is an important step for blind people towards integration into today's communications world. But how does it work? The following example demonstrates what it is all about.
You open up your Communicator that is equipped with TALKS. It starts speaking, telling you if SMS or e-mail me
Text to speech software + PG (Score:2, Interesting)
Granted, computer-rendered speech has a long way to go, but there's plenty of public domain books available through PG in ASCII format.
Apple? (Score:3, Interesting)
Peace
"Feel" good? (Score:4, Informative)
Well there's quite a bit left out. Is this rapid loss of vision the same resulting from old age? A disease? Reason that's important is it gives you an idea of what kind of timeline to construct. The first thing she'll need is order. Everything has a place, and everything in it's place (no musical chairs with the furniture). Second remember to ask around your local, state, and federal about their programs for the blind. Don't forget chartiable organizations, and even businesses. Third you can get magnifiers (the glass kind), or electronic (B&W Monitor with a camera, book on a movable table). Fourth the blind are resourceful (anyone here know what a "say when" is? It's a simple device with a 9-V battery and 2 prongs, that clips onto a coffee cup. Pour until liquid closes conection and makes a buzzing noise, STOP!). Fifth there a usually in most states a volunteer organizations that reads magazines, and newspapers for the blind. Sixth this requires some creativity on your part, look at the world as a blind person would (much as first time parents would look at their house from a babies level). You'll think of many more ways, and NO you don't have to spend lots of money.
Re:"Feel" good? (Score:1)
Re:"Feel" good? (Score:2)
Partially sited? As in not entirely "there"?
A few points (Score:5, Informative)
An MP3 player with a good button layout might be good, but you need one that doesn't really rely too much on being able to read the screen. An iPod might not be very good because that jog wheel might not be much use. I think the Neuros [neurosaudio.com] might be good option.
You can download a lot of talking books from the filesharing networks like eDonkey, and AFAIK it would be legal as long as you also bought the hardcopy. The RNIB site has links to some more legitimate suppliers.
BBC Radio 4 [bbc.co.uk] lets you listen online to most of their programmes from the last week, and they have a lot of dramas and book readings (and some great comedy). Unfortunately it's currently in RealMedia format, but that is due to change.
Lastly, if any of your friends are web designers, encourage them to follow the WAI guidelines [w3.org] otherwise she might not be able to access their websites (not that she will neccessarily want to, but it's always good to get more people interested in accessibility).
PS. Tell her 'Hi' from Slashdot!
Re:A few points for vision-impaired (Score:1)
Please anything you find as a result of this. (Score:1)
um..i've nothing useful to add but pls post any info you find (my gf is going blind too). i've had little searches but found nothing worth remembering. audio books are real expensive to buy and the text-to-mp3 convertors i've found are all rather ordinary. good luck
Great idea (Score:1)
Thanks
Brail (Score:3, Informative)
A B
oo ox
ox oo
oo oo
not accurate but an easy example. Theres alot of places you can find brail charts but if you have no luck I believe theres one in the pokemon ruby 'regis guide' on gamefaqs due to Brail puzzles in the game.
Other wise turn resolution down majorly, use the accessability features and use the magnifering option to make it huge.
Re:Brail (Score:1)
Make sure the model you pick impacts the paper reasonably hard, if it's too hard then feed two sheets at a time so the paper doesn't tear.
Re:Brail (Score:2)
visually impared help (Score:1)
also note that a quite notable figure in hackerdom has a link to audio readers. [spaceyideas.com]
Some advice (Score:2, Interesting)
Shiatsu massage (Score:1, Offtopic)
Off topic, but Shiatsu massage often reduces the speed of degradation of aging. To be of value, the person getting the massage must be dedicated to being aware of her body.
Help for the blind (Score:1, Informative)
Of course your oma will have to learn touch typing, but this is probably a lot easier than Braille. If you can set up and maintain the programs for her, you could help her a lot, if she's willing and able. Don't forget to contact your national blind-help peo
If she needs a mobile phone... (Score:1)
The speech recognition is a feature of the phone hardware - not the sprint network, and it's really fast and reasonabl