Help need a computer or laptop or touch screen for visual impaired

fujigas

Hi anyone know of a pc or soft ware suitable for my mum who is visually impaired she has tried my iPad and the way you can scroll and make words bigger is great but the screen is just not big enough. A touch screen bigger version would be ideal

Mista_C

I'm not sure of the costs involved, it's been a long time since I worked with support software but there is Zoomtext which magnifies the screen or portions of the screen. There is also JAWS which is a screen reader but lacks in a few areas.

Both are available for Windows. There are others but those are the most common I came across in my time.

John_Gray

Have a look at the AbilityNet and RNIB websites...

Don't forget that Microsoft has Ease of Access Center in Control Panel on Windows 7, and lesser features in Vista and XP.

fwor

A lot depends on your budget. Larger touchscreen PCs are starting to become available, such as the MSI Wind AE2050 which has a 20" screen, but you're still looking at around £400.

At the other extreme, if she is not worried about whether it's Windows-based, it might be worth taking a look at Vinux, which is a version of Ubuntu which has screen reader and magnifier built-in and pre-configured. It's free to download, and can run as a LiveCD so you can try it without having to install it.

henm2

Also check out Adriane Knoppix which is a variation of Knoppix Linux Live CD that is intended for blind and visually impaired people, which can be used entirely without vision oriented output devices.
By default it has screen reader software enabled.

fujigas

Thanks very much for replies I will look into them all, cant pretend I understand it all that but i will ask questions! They have been to pc world today and had a demo on a packard bell one two L16327 if anyone has any thoughts on that i think that had the windows 7 magnifier built in, thanks again