Are you a blind or visually impaired person who wants to use a computer but thinks that it would be absolutely impossible? What would you say if I tell you that you will be able to use a computer without your eyesight?
I, myself, am a blind computer user, and I use a computer with ease. I'm an author and contributor of seventeen books by age twenty-four and a website designer, and I've done all this, including writing and receiving e-mails and surfing the Net, with the help of a technilogical miracle called a screen reader. The screen reader I'm using is called JAWS, and it is made by FreedomScientific.com. Jaws is computer software that reads what's on the screen and tells you which keys you type, and it comes with great functionality that enables its user to use many computer programs, including AOL; word processors, including MS Word and Word Pad; and the Internet, with relative ease and freedom.
There are other software similar to Jaws, but since I only use Jaws, I am not familiar with them. Ask for more information from the Commission for the Blind, Vesid, Christian Blind Mission International, Lighthouse, and other organizations that help the visually impaired community, or visit FreedomScientific.com for information on Jaws and their other software that could help you use a computer.
When I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen, I was very disappointed that I no longer could use a computer; I lost contact with many of my friends as a result. But I was amazed when I was introduced to Jaws. Now I use a computer regularly. It is able to read almost everything to me. It cannot, however, read graphic text, so I ask my mother what it says whenever I come across a graphic text (for example, the code verification on many websites nowadays).
Resource of Low-Cost Computers for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
As of November 29, 2007, the below information is provided by Ray Campbell, Help Desk Technician (Adaptive Technology Center, Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, 1850 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608; 312-997-3651 [Voice/Relay] or 888-825-0080 [voice/Relay])
I am passing on a link to a website for the Texas Center for the Physically Impaired (TCPI).
This organization has had, for 15 years, a program where for a $100 donation they will provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired, living in the United States or Canada, with a computer. The computer is a refurbished unit that includes keyboard, mouse, sound card, monitor and speakers. They use Windows XP machines that they get donated from businesses. The computer also includes a demo version of the Window-Eyes screen reader and a demo of the ZoomText screen magnification software. If a recipient can use ZoomText, they are able to get a licensed version for free from TCPI; however, the same does not hold true for Window-Eyes. This is thanks to AI Squared. Also, there is a seven-tape tutorial on how to use the computer that is included.
You can also call 214-340-6328 (Voice). The website doesn't list a TTY number. You may also e-mail Dr. Langford, TCPI President about this program at: boblang@airmail.net
Group for Blind and Disabled Writers
The Written Word Workshop: The official group for the Written Word Workshop, hosted by Sanford Rosenthal, Chair, Disabilities Task Force, National Writers Union At-Large Chapter. Our goal is to offer support to writers with disabilities, share experiences, develop skills, learn about publishing, and inspire group members on behalf of greater opportunities for success. We are all teachers and students learning from each other. The Written Word Workshop meets by telephone regularly. Sessions alternate between those featuring guest speakers including presentations and live Q&A and others focused on sharing among group members. Email Sanford Rosenthal at sanfordusa@bellsouth.net or call (754) 246-9555 for more information or a schedule of upcoming tele-conferences.
Then you will receive a confirmation e-mail, to which you will have to reply with a blank e-mail in order to join.
Resourceful Website for the Blind and Visually Impaired
EverythingBlind.com: Somewhere that anything to do with vision can be found in one place Essentially, EverythingBlind. A place where people can come together to find what they need, whether it be products and services offered for the blind and visually impaired, or badly needed emotional support for those facing blindness along with their friends and family.
Below, I'm very happy to share with you personal stories written by fellow visually impaired computer users. I feel that it is especially important for visually impaired people to read these personal experiences and how this technology has changed their lives for the better. Many blind or visually impaired people have no idea they could actually use a computer without eyesight. We have wonderful technology, but it is useless when people don't even know that it exists, so writing and sharing stories like like the ones below will help spread the word about this kind of technology to those who would benefit from it. Feel free to share your own story by e-mailing me.
All stories/articles are published here with the permission of their writers and are copyrighted by the writers.
Judith Bron's Article:
Judith Bron, a resident of Spring Valley, New York, has been a free lance writer since 1966. She was first published in her high school literary magazine, Harbinger, at Bennett High in Buffalo New York. She holds a Cum Laude BS in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo.
She has been seriously freelancing since 1990 and has been published in about 15 periodicals both on and off line. Her pieces include some political editorials, articles about Judaism and some plain talking articles about life in general.
She is currently working on her first novel in a young adult series about observant Jewish young adults that she wants to market in the mainstream world. One may think that this is a topic for a niche audience, but Judith doesn't agree. "Today, anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head again. But what do people hate?" She hopes to answer questions about observant Judaism, their unique lifestyle and give her readers a page turning reading experience that contains mystery, intrigue, good guys, bad guys, issues surrounding life, and yes, death. This book will give her readers a riveting novel that the young adult, or perhaps adult reader, Won't be able to put down!
In 1986, after starting to raise her family of 5 children with her husband Nissen, she suffered an MS exacerbation which left her with about 20 percent of her former 20/20 eyesight. Today she is down to about 15 percent. It wasn't easy, but eventually she adjusted to this new living situation and began writing again on a typewriter. Since then she has been trained on adaptive equipment which is essential for her writing career. She also works for her local Independent Living Center mentoring other handicapped people.
Redefining her life as a visually impaired person was the most difficult thing she has ever done. Going from a totally independent person to one who depends on others to help her pick out clothing in the store was depressing at first. Her love for writing started helping her come out of the depression surrounding her handicap. Today, she writes, edits and submits her writing using the screen reader, Jaws, constantly. Being able to surf the web to gain accurate information about her many topics and converse with people all over the world via email is an exciting experience. To all those who are afraid to learn, don't be. If you are newly visually impaired, remember that there was a time in your life when you couldn't read, do number facts, drive a car or anyone of a myriad of other skills that you weren't born knowing. There is no record of a computer chewing up the computer user and spitting them out in little pieces. You can learn how to use adaptive equipment and be more computer literate than most mouse users!
Currently, in her position as mentor at the Rockland Independent Living Center, she writes all her reports on her equipment. But, more than that, it gives her the opportunity to help people work through their handicaps and enter the work force once again as confident individuals.
Catherine Walters' Story:
I am legally blind. In the past five years I have learned to adapt to life without independence. My family and the local association for the blind have helped me in many ways including using the program Zoom Text which allows me to use my computer. It is my opinion that anyone who is visually impaired should contact their local association for the blind who will be more than happy to help them with many facets of their new life. They helped me by providing Zoom Text which has so many functions, by providing proper lighting, keyboard stickers so that I can see my keys, etc, etc. Here in Northampton County, PA the association is called Visual Impairment and Blindness (VIABL) Association.
Musician Marie Joki's Story:
I am visually impaired having 1 percent vision in one eye. I also have a scanning program called open book. This program assists me in reading mail and magazines. I often wonder how I got along with out those programs.
I would encourage others to try and have a positive outlook. I truly feel that that is so vital. It can assist in living. When I awake each day, I try to think positive thoughts. Sometimes, things seem so difficult but with determination we can accomplish much.
Marcus Simmons' Story:
I am a blind / profoundly deaf individual who uses the Internet. I use the JAWS program and the Open Book software to read books and snail mail.
I use the computer to create a 501(C)(3) corporation that will provide no-tuition automotive vocational training for the socially and economically deprived young adults, as they leave the public school system. As a deaf/blind citizen, with over 40 years of experience in the automotive service/engineering field, I stand as an example to those who need to know that it can be accomplished.
Marcus Simmons - President
Motown Automotive Professionals nonprofit, A 501(C)(3) Public Charity
28179 Brentwood St.
Southfield, MI 48076-3069
(248) 557-2333
See our story at: http://www.carcrazycentral.com/Video.aspx?VideoID=306 And get more information at: http://www.map-n.org E-mail: president@map-n.org (preferred method of contact)
Penny Leclair's Story:
...a computer opens doors and helps to alleviate isolation for many people with disabilities.
I once lived in a part of Canada with no special programs to help me acquire a screen reader like JAWS and the Braille display so that I could read by touch. I tried to acquire enough funding from service clubs but it was
impossible due to the high cost, and the lack of understanding about what the equipment can do. After all it just allows access to a computer--wrong it allows for greater ability to communicate, far different, more
comprehensive than just access to a computer.
I moved to Ontario Canada where that province has a program that pays for most of the cost of all the necessary equipment. My life changed so much. I can contribute to writing for organizations, give my experience to those who struggle with similar problems, and I can access so much more information, recipes, medical information, the tips from others on a vast number of subjects. The ability to email which I use as those use a phone, I can get information from doctors or get information about instructions to products or medication. Only those who can step back and realize that without a computer none of this is easily accessed. Before I had to depend on either transcribing information into Braille, something that I had to pay for
unless it was material found at a library of accessible material, or someone
had to sign the information to me using a tactile method of communication using their hands and mine. Life changed so drastically, putting this into words is difficult today because everyone takes their sight and hearing for granted, and the technology that we all depend on. So many people who are blind, partially sighted and deaf-blind don't have this access, what a shame.
I still depend on people, technology simply gives me more freedom, but more importantly it lessens the isolation of deaf-blindness, and allows me to connect with others so that I may contribute in ways we all can once we find the right place for our abilities to make a difference.
Penny Leclair
Citizen of Ottawa Ontario Canada
Published with the permission of Penny Leclair. All rights reserved.
Richard Turner's Story:
I use JAWS, both to write and to run my company, Showdown Creations Inc. Although I started to lose my eyesight at age nine and have been blind for most of my life, I am a card mechanic and fifth degree karate black belt. In addition to designing and producing a series of educational games, I have written, produced, and performed in a series of DVDs that are world-wide best-sellers. I have spent my adult life as an entertainer and motivational speaker and have appeared on numerous television shows as well as before live audiences of all sizes and kinds. My latest venture is writing - I have completed a Christian time-travel novel, Re-Deal: A Miss Guided Adventure, and am working on my autobiography. An excerpt of Re-Deal is available on my Web site: http://www.richardturner52.com
JAWS gives me the ability to "Use a Computer Without Eyesight!"
Richard Turner
Published with the permission of Richard Turner. All rights reserved.
Frances Strong's Story:
Lucky
This is a story of a horse named Lucky and how he changed my life.
"Listen to this!" my husband said to me as he read from the classified ads in our local newspaper. "Here is a TW horse nineteen years old for $400. Don't you want another horse?"
"I don't think so. My eyesight is getting worse and I don't think I could ride again," I replied. "Besides, a Tennessee Walking horse for that amount probably means that something is wrong with that old horse."
Jimmy, my husband, didn't seem to hear what I said and continued, "Why don't we go look at the horse? It won't hurt anything just to look, right?"
Smiling at his persistence, I answered, "Okay, we'll just take a look."
On the way out to the farm that cold January morning in 1991, I reminisced. "I do miss my old Fella. He lived a long life of 33 years you know. The girls have horses but I can't ride their spirited horses."
Jimmy sweetly patted my arm and said, "Since your father died last year and you had to stop teaching because of your eyes, I noticed that you have been down in the dumps lately."
"Yes," I said. "I have been wondering what to do with my life. I can hardly read any more. But I know that God will take care of me. I must have more faith in Him."
When we stopped at the man's farmhouse, I wished I had worn my boots. In my haste I slipped on my tennis shoes. The yard was muddy and soon my toes felt the cold. The animals ran to the fence as the owner threw out a few handfuls of grain for them. Chickens squawked, smelly goats butted and scrambled to get their share. A lamb was bleating pitifully. Several horses came forward too. Then I saw him. A horse stood afar off. His head hung low and he seemed to be bracing against the cold wind as it wrapped his tail around his hind legs.
Without any struggle the owner brought him to me with a bridle.
"Here," he said,"I'll go get his saddle and you can try him out."
I wondered to myself, "What am I going to do? I should have known better than to come out here."
Just then as I stroked his face with my glove, the horse rested his head in my arms. It was as if he was asking for help. "How could I refuse such a plea?"
"I've got his registration papers and everything," the man told Jimmy and me. "He was something in his prime. He was in those fancy Tennessee Walking horse shows. One time he led the flag presentation at one of those Darlington 500 car races."
"yeah," Jimmy was somewhat disappointed." "Look at his filthy dirty coat and feel his ribs."
"Yes, I know," I admitted. I just can't leave him here. Let's take him home."
So Lucky came home with me. I called him lucky because he was lucky that I found him and I was lucky to have a horse again. God made it possible for me to have this gentle, remarkable old horse.
It took about six months or more for Lucky to regain his strength and look well again. His black coat with white stockings and a nice snip on his nose was striking. His gentle nature allowed not only me to ride him but children and inexperienced riders as well
Lucky had a good seven years with me before he died. After his passing, I told my good friend, Betsy Lee, about Lucky. She said,"That would make a good children's book"
That's how I got started writing on the computer. At age 57 I thought I was to old to learn; but Betsy would not let me get discouraged. She sent her daughter, Linda, to help me on the computer. She made the background black and used large white font letters. That helped a lot. With Betsy's editing and mentoring abilities, I was able to finish the book. I called it, A Lucky Pair. Actually, it was God that led me all the way.
The computer gave me avenues that I had not thought possible. I wrote poems, church plays for the children, family history and more. But soon my eyes were declining. I had awful headaches from trying to read the screen. I told Betsy I would have to stop.
I had joined the Federation of the Blind in our local chapter here in Sumter, South Carolina. Neil Towery, a wonderful blind man, called Debra Canty, our chapter president. He asked if anyone would be interested in learning the Jaws program. After Debra took his classes, she asked me to take the course. Again, I thought I was too old to learn such a program. I was now 60 years old. But God and Betsy urged me on.
The Jaws program is a screen reading program that is marvelous technology especially for the blind. Then I could not only read and write again, but e mail and get on the internet. It reads whatever I write or ask it to read my e mail and the internet information. The possibilities are limitless. I am still learning more.
Since the year 2000 I have been blessed to be able to publish two more books. The last one, Beth's Fella, is about my life on the farm with my wonderful horse, Fella. The other book, Pat, the Cat, is a read-aloud poem book also for children.
Writing this I am 65 years old. I am grateful to Betsy for not letting me give up. Also Neil Towery's Recovering Sight Foundation has aided me in securing the computer and Jaws program. To God be the glory.
Published with permission from Frances Strong. All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of Frances Strong.