So my grandmother just called me (she's blind) and wants to get a laptop. She's never had a computer before but was told that she needs to buy additional software to use it. I told her that the OS has those capabilities built in. I know this is the case for Mac OS X but I wasn't sure with windows 7. She needs to know soon as there is a relative flying to Egypt from the US in the next couple of days that can buy it for her.

This is uncharted territory for me so I'm not sure what kind of computer to recommend and/or if she even needs 3rd party software. any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

1/20/2010 2:50:52 PM

Windows 7 (like most versions of Windows beforehand) has Narrator which (as far as I know) is a basic screen reader.

I can't vouch for how well it works.

1/20/2010 3:00:08 PM

I was just using the Mac OS X one and its pretty neat.

I used to work with a developer that was blind but he was 100% linux so i'm not sure how much help he'll be


ok i found http://www.accesswatch.info/ it mentions Jaws which i've heard of but completely forgot about.

[Edited on January 20, 2010 at 3:05 PM. Reason : .]

1/20/2010 3:01:54 PM

I hear of JAWS for windows a lot. But i don't have any personal experience with it.

1/20/2010 3:18:04 PM