visual impairments and using the computer

[Guest guest]

Hi. This is Robyn again. I want to thank everyone who helped me

when I first logged into this group, and explain that I am reading

as much as I can, but haven't been able to use the computer that

much lately. I have a call out to my doctor, but I was wondering if

in the meantime I could pick your brains since it seems I'm admist a

lot of knowledge and first hand experience here. Not all of you

might know that I have advanced stages proliferative retinopathy and

I am in the process of receiving lazer surgeries. I have only had

one treatment and my next one is October 15th. While my retinal

surgeon gave me his guarantee that I won't go blind, I seem to be

losing vision pretty quickly. And at this point, I can hardly read

the computer. I have the text set to largest and I am using the

magnifier that xp has in its accessability options. I'm wondering

if there is anything else that could benefit me. Also, I'm

wondering if anyone can help me with a problem I'm having with the

settings on xp. I have everything set to the largest, and when I

open my start menu, then programs, there are 3 columns, possible

four, but it won't let me scroll over to the ones I can't see. So I

don't know how to access those programs. Every time I need one, I

have to reset my accessability settings to small, open the program

and then set it all up again.

Anyhow, I'm just wondering if I'm missing something that might make

things easier to use the computer. I have a new Dell running win xp

if that helps. Thanks again in advance for all of your help. Have

a wonderful day

[Guest guest]

There are magnifiers you can put over your screen and that can help.

Another thing I have used before is

" read please. " it is a program that reads text for you.

http://www.readplease.com/

There is a free version which is okay, you have to paste the text

tho.....and the one you buy which is better...you get a trial of it I think

they still do that.

I hope this helps a bit. I still haven't figured out when I enlarge the

print, to deal with the scrolling prob etc and stuff you mention.

I hope the next surgery will help your eyes! Keep us posted when you can.

tam

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[Guest guest]

Thank you I will check those out!

Robyn

There are magnifiers you can put over your screen and that can help.

Another thing I have used before is

" read please. " it is a program that reads text for you.

http://www.readplease.com/

tam

[Guest guest]

Thanks! I'll keep you in mine as well!

Robyn

Re: visual impairments and using the computer

To: diabetes_int

I wish you all the very best and will keep you in my prayers Robyn. I

too have a Dell

and XP but I am not good at fixing things so I am sorry I cannot help you.

Take it easy if you can.

Lou

[Guest guest]

Robin...the readplease now has a 'bar' that if you highlight the webpage, it

will read it to you...I am trying the trial right now...pretty cool.

The one for 'word' is free, and so is the readplease one, but you can buy

the versions that have more to them if you so choose.

The good thing about the readplease thing is it can enlarge the print if you

highlight it and put it on the program clipboard thing , so it reads it to

you and also is huge print. Wonderful! If you get the 'paid' version, you

can highlight anywhere in the text and it will read it...if you get free it

starts at the beginning and reads through all that you put there.

I hope this claifies...I didn't explain it well before.

Tam

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