Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.
Are you in need of assistance with your screen reading or magnification software on a computer? What about your Smartphone(iPhone or Android)? What about your tablet? Are you experiencing difficulty with use of a website, program, app or have a general question about the use of various adaptive software? If you answer YES to any of these questions, please get in touch with us by accessing our contact form at A.T. Assistance
We look forward to working with you to troubleshoot your technical issue(s). Someone from the TAD team will review your submission and respond as soon as possible.
Android or iOS; that is the question. Although our research has shown that iOS is a great option for those individuals with little to no eyesight (VoiceOver users), Android has made remarkable progress in narrowing the accessibility gap in a very short period of time. Do your research, list your Pros and Cons and make the best decision based on your own expectations.
How can you become proficient in Android or iOS? Well, we highly recommend the following resources: Getting Started with Android by Ana Garza and JJ Meddaugh. This comprehensive tutorial is available from the National Braille Press as a download (for a fee) in both Braille and Word. For iOS, we recommend Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS by Anna Dresner. This comprehensive tutorial is available from the National Braille Press and can be downloaded (for a fee) in both Braille and Word.
TAD has identified a few resources that could be very helpful to you in determining exactly what is accessible and what is not accessible. Unfortunately, Android resources are not quite as abundant as iOS, but be patient; it likely is just a matter of time. In the meantime, you can check out Andrea's Head at Android Apps for VI and Blind to get the answers to many of your questions not only about Android apps and their accessibility, but a whole host of things relating to accessibility and visual impairments. A list of the best Android Apps available to those who have low vision by Access World featured on AFB.org can be found at Low Vision Android Apps
Apple Vis is a resource that does a terrific job of empowering blind and low vision Apple users. There are a multitude of articles and blogs on just about anything related to Apple products and accessibility features for blind and low vision users. We encourage you to read the article entitled, iOS Apps Developed Specifically for Blind or Low Vision Users on Apple Vis to see what might be available to you in iOS
We also recommend having a look at one of the rare articles written that focus on blind and visually impaired apps in both Android and iOS. Please click here to read the article.
TAD would not leave you hanging without introducing our own list and thoughts at Apps and Info for Visually Impaired (Word) and Apps and Info for Visually Impaired (PDF)
It is essential for you to project the very best image of yourself in all circumstances. Yes, they will be watching and taking notes! With that said, before you can get to the point where they can see you; you must do your due diligence to create an enticing, but truthful image of yourself that is irresistible to a potential employer or interviewer.
How is this done? Well, almost everything is done today online. One cannot escape filling out online applications and forms in the world we live in today. So, make sure what you write down reflects the very best image of you. You don't want to press that Send button to submit your online application and realize that you had typos, or inaccurate or incomplete information on your application. Do it right the first time, because it's unlikely that you will get a second chance to right this type of wrong!
You may explore several resources directly below that will assist you in filling out online applications as well as resources to help you to get your online application accurate and complete.
Many job applications today are online and do not offer any other alternatives. Would you like the chance to practice your skills completing a mock online application prior to completing a real one? How do you fill out a job application using a screen reader or other assistive technology software and/or device(s)? NFB Kentucky TAD has selected a few employment resource aids that could benefit you as an individual with a visual impairment as you prepare to apply for employment. Please find the links below that can assist you in being the very best that you can be.
The following link is useful for constructing a personal data sheet. This form can be useful in building a resume and/or filling out a comprehensive employment application. To access the personal data sheet, please Click Here
There are two online employment practice applications that we have come across that we recommend trying to build confidence and skills in completing an online employment application. They are realistic as well as accessible using JAWS, Window-Eyes and NVDA. They are also accessible using MAC and iOS. These resources are located at Practice Employment Registration and Career Point Ma website
For a few applications designed by TAD that provides practice with building confidence and experience completing an online application, we recommend that you visit: Something About You (Pre-ETS Practice Application)
Y Not U (abbreviated version)
Why Not U (multi page version)
Many programs like Microsoft Office, or the free alternatives like Apache Open Office and LibreOffice offer spelling and grammar checkers, but if you are running a program that does not offer a spelling and grammar checker, you can find an online checker at Free Online Spelling and Grammar Check. Now, if you want to find out how to spell a particular word, or find out the meaning of a particular word, or find a different word that means the same (synonym), we suggest that you refer to Googleby simply inputting that word in the search edit field followed by a comma and the search criteria like spell, meaning, or synonym and then clicking on "Search".
All of the points on this resource page have a common theme. What is it? It is maximizing your independence so that you can overcome those actual as well as perceived obstacles; live the life you want by being the very best that you can be.
What is Advocacy? The art of advocacy is exercising your legal rights as a person with a disability in a systematic and professional manner to intercede on your own behalf.
Please find an informative resource list on advocacy that we have compiled for you located at Resource List (Word) or Resource List (PDF)
There are certainly different strokes for different folks. What might be ideal for one may not be ideal for another. Therefore, it is crucial that we share what we know through qualified resource referrals and educated discussion.
This is really only a piece of the puzzle. Kentuckians are able to take a "test drive of many assistive technology hardware devices before making a final purchase. The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service Network KATS Network can lend many that opportunity.
For a list of potential funding options, please click on AT Resources Funding Guide
TAD recommends the following guide to get up and running with NVDA. The NVDA screen reader is a free alternative to JAWS and other paid screen readers. It's effective, reliable, stable, and best of all, free.
We found the tutorials on the American Foundation of the Blind's website to be an outstanding resource in getting started with NVDA; you can locate this information at Learn NVDA. For a comprehensive list of the NVDA keyboard short-cuts, you may find them in the NVDA Control Panel; however, WebAim has also put together a nice list at NVDA Short-Cut Keystrokes.
To reference the material covered on NVDA in the training at KSB on May 17th, please see this link: Click Here
Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.