Technology and Keyboarding: A Parent Wants to Know, What Comes First?
By Chong, Curtis; Future Reflections, Vol. 23, No. 3Publication Date: Fall 2004
Article in which the National Federation for the Blind’s Curtis Chong discusses the jump to screen reading technology with a mother whose seventh-grade son has recently learned to type on a BrailleNote. Chong suggests that once the child has learned to type on a BrailleNote, he should make the jump to composing written assignments on a computer. Learning to use JAWS for Windows and Kurzweil 1000 is discussed as the next logical step. Kurzweil 1000 is simply used to convert printed information into speech, and is described as a basic complement to a computer. JAWS, however, will allow the student to produce written documents, send and receive e-mail, browse the World Wide Web, or install software. Once these activities are mastered with JAWS for Windows, then the parent can consider purchasing Kurzweil 1000. Chong also mentions that children should know the keyboard and be able to use a Windows operating system before they begin to use screen reading technology.
Assistive Products Discussed: KURZWEIL 1000
BRAILLENOTE
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
BRAILLENOTE MPOWER BT 32
BRAILLENOTE MPOWER BT 18
BRAILLENOTE PK
Published by: National Federation of the Blind (Website:http://www.nfb.org)
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (Web Site: http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Parents_and_Teachers.asp )
Link to text: http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr15/fr04fa05.htm
