Anyone work with computers and have any access technology?

[Susan Mason]

Hi

Just wondered if any of you felt able to comment here.
Since my KC has progressed I have found the PC less and less user friendly. I manage ok at home however, of course I am not sat at it for hours on end and I can have all my settings just as I like. Even if this does mean that my little boy can read it from across the room.

Any comments greatfully received.

thanks

Susan

[jayuk]

Susan

Which parts do you have difficulties with?

There are a number of software titles that can be of use for us....ranging from Speaking, Text Enlargement, Text Reading etc.....

I have used a Text Enlarging one with great sucess up until December last year....

J

[Susan Mason]

Thanks Jay.

Was that using word, excel, xp or the like?

I seem to have varying problems and am not technical enough to know if I am being feed a good story I am now starting to feel.

Susan

[jayuk]

Susan

Yes, the application I used allowed me to enlarge various areas of the screen....dependong on which areas I had issues with..and Yes it was on Windows XP...

But do bear in mind that Windows XP has an inherent magnifier that you can also use?

Start>All Programs>Accessories>Accesibility

Let me know which elements you are having issues with and ill get a list together of the software that may help ya

J

[Dave Westman]

Greetings from the US. I just found & joined this forum today, and have already gained new, helpful info!

Diagnosed with mild KC about 15 years ago, I have worn RGP's for the last 3 years. Both at and away from work, I use computers much of the time, often on the road or away from my desk, so that means notebooks (i.e., small screens!). When the contacts are out, I "manage" with thick tri-focals, often with my nose close to the screen. Recently purchased an IBM (thus, Lenevo) T43 and was pleasantly surprised with its hot-key driven magnifier utility. It enlarges the entire screen - maybe it's changing the resolution? - simply by pressing Fn-Spacebar. For me, the results are much superior to Windows' partial-screen magnifier.

So if you're in the market for a new machine, one with this utility might be worth considering. I wish I could find something similar for the non-IBM / Lenovo computer I use at work, so would also be interested in names of applications anyone could offer.

[Amarpal]

One thing I find difficult with using computers is light sensitivity- caused by normal CRT monitors. However, a couple of weeks back, I bought a new flat panel 17" TFT monitor. It is alot kinder to the eyes, and I feel that I have been able to use the computer for longer. I also use my computer alot for typing, so the new large screen allows me to enlarge the page much more than on my previous 14" CRT. So, if light sensitivity is an issue with computers, I would reccomend using a TFT falt panel monitor insetad- it has made a great difference for me!

[GarethB]

There is one issue my IT people can not fix and that is to control the instruments I have to link to a sperate surver. The only inputs my screen then gets is from the server and my key board so any magnifying software I have on my desktop is disabled.

Knowing the industry Susan works in much of the software used at work may have the same issues.

How would the KC IT crowd overcome this?

A 19" flat pane monitor does help, but with no lenses I do have to look close and use the software to click and enlarge portions on screen and scroll arund alot. 15 minutes of this and my RSI is playing up. Do that for to long can not use a pc anyway as to strap me wrists and fingers up which means almost typing with your fist!

Try getting a legible sentance like that.

[John Smith]

Gareth,

I don't fully understand the software setup you have, but there is a really simple answer.

Demand an even larger monitor. OK, so a 23 inch TFT screen isn't cheap, but the DDA pretty much requires them to provide access to the facilities to do your job, and it sounds like they are doing so only some of the time with the software solutions provided to you.

Let us know how you get on.

[Andrew MacLean]

I got the Access to Work team at the Job|Centre Plus to come and look at my set-up. They agreed tha adjustments that would constitute "reasonable measures" as defined by the DDA and my employer and the JobCentre plus team put together the hardward and software combinations that suited my own needs.

I have a computer that easily magnifies areas of the screen and I have a video magnifier that looks at the test of books, hard copy documents etc and delivers it onto my computer screen.

Andrew

[GarethB]

For me, I think bigger monitor is only option.

I have to go through a program which basically allows me to control a remote computer the other side of town that has the instrument control software to control all the instruments I use in the lab 10 meters away.

To control the instrument while I am in the lab, same thing needs to happen even though I am at a pc on the opposite bench to the equipment!

I can also sit at my desk and control someone elses instrument the other side of town if needs be, only thing I can not do is open the purge valve! That you do need to be by the instrument so you can see it has purged properly.