[10827] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
acquiring assistive technology
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Greg Gibbs - the LAN Lubber)
Mon Nov 18 20:56:02 1996
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 1996 12:36:01 -0600 (CST)
From: Greg Gibbs - the LAN Lubber <angjg@UAA.ALASKA.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Please reply to the author, not PACS-L. Thanks, Jack
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Greetings All!
This is being cross-posted to CDROMLAN and PACS-L, and I don't
apologize for the duplication because I really need the help.
We may have access to some funds to purchase equipment for
our patrons with low vision/blindness or mobility impairment.
I know next to nothing about this type of equipment; fortunately,
a consultant loaned from our Disability Support Services dept.
has come up with a list of equipment from which to choose.
What I am fishing for is commentary about the equipment itself
and its integration into our environment, as well as suggestions
for other solutions. Please e-mail me directly - I promise I
will summarize all responses and post it.
ENVIRONMENT: Novell Netware 3.11 and 3.12 with Micro Design's
SCSI Express and CBIS' CD-Connection, migrating away from the
latter to the former. We will be upgrading to NW 4.11 and SE3.0.
A sampling of database vendors includes: Ovid, SilverPlatter,
EBSCO, ABC-Clio, WLN, Marcive and Gale Research. We also have
numerous standalones featuring products from some of the above
vendors as well as databases such as: ABI/Inform (image), OED,
Scientific American Medicine, IAC's National Newspaper Index,
OED and FCSEARCH (both Windows-based) and more. All, except for
the two noted, are currently DOS-based, but we will be moving
towards a Windows interface on pretty much everything by next year.
Yes, you can assume WIN95 or its successor.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT:
HP ScanJet 4p - only scanner recommended by Arkenstone and Telesensory
OCR software: Open Book Unbound or OsCaR (by above, respectively)
voice synthesizers: DECtalk, Arctic TransPort Classic (external),
or Keynote Gold PC or SA (PC or stantalone, respectively)
braille terminals: Alva 23 cell Portable or PowerBraille 40
screen readers: JAWS, Vocal/Window-Eyes , or Slimware Window Bridge
screen magnification: Zoomtext Plus or MAGic
keyboard and mouse adaptations: Adap2U
lan-based: ADAPTA-LAN
My fantasy is that we'll find something that can easily be moved
to provide maximum flexibility (danged stantalones!). Having
experimented briefly with Vocal-Eyes/Type-n-Speak on our network,
my outlook is rather pessimistic. However, I do belive that this
path is absolutely necessary, and all necessary/available resources
will be brought to bear.
Again, please write directly to me, and I will summarize. - g^2
--
Greg Gibbs University of Alaska Anchorage 907 786-1080 voice
LAN Manager Consortium Library 907 786-6050 fax
The LAN Lubber ::-{) mailto:angjg@uaa.alaska.edu 907 333-NERD `puter
maintainer of the CDROMLAN FAQ | http://local.uaa.alaska.edu/~angjg/
