A free laptop and lessons. Wonderful.

Category: Garage Sale

Post 1 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 31-Mar-2016 9:02:45

Again, I love the Flying Blind Mag.
For you that can use an updated computer.

Communicating Computers For The Blind will give a free laptop and lessons to any blind person in the US who cannot see the screen to read it, thus needing to use speech only. Email:
acalesso@cox.net

Now that is good.
Smile.

Post 2 by The Judge (the top Judge) on Thursday, 31-Mar-2016 12:11:50

I just sent an email to them. Let's see what happens. Thanks Wayne my brother!

Post 3 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 31-Mar-2016 12:15:13

This is what we need. This is what will break the digital divide. Worth donating to.
You know, we have FreeGeek here in Portland, where people can buy hardware at cost, or even get it for free if they're poor enough, and of course since it's free it all comes with a Linux installation and open source software.
Any way we can get technology into the hands of people who need to use it but can't afford it, is a good thing.

Post 4 by ADVOCATOR! (Finally getting on board!) on Thursday, 31-Mar-2016 20:15:10

I second that!

Post 5 by kotori4444 (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 14-Jun-2016 21:44:05

Are they based out of Texas? If so, they ask for a 150 dollar donation. They are a really good program. I considered getting a laptop through them a couple years ago.

Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 15-Jun-2016 9:05:14

Nope. Completely free.
Email them if you are in need.

Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 15-Jun-2016 9:07:10

Of course, you are in college if memory serves?
You'd not be needing this service.

Post 8 by kotori4444 (Generic Zoner) on Thursday, 16-Jun-2016 1:03:00

No. About two years ago I did, but you are correct. I am hoping to convince VR to obtain a Mac for me.

Post 9 by dragons lady (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 20-Jul-2016 15:12:41

I have a friend who could use this service. She can't afford Jaws either. Does it come with the software as well? Thanks so much.

Post 10 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 20-Jul-2016 18:32:54

NVDA.

Post 11 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 21-Jul-2016 16:40:48

To post 9:
Yeah, I doubt any of these companies giving away free hardware would give one of the paid-for screen readers away with their product unless they struck a deal with one of the major screen reader companies. However, if your friend already has a licensed copy of JAWS, there's no reason why she can't install it on one of those free laptops. Based on what you said though, she probably doesn't. She'd need JAWS 16 at the earliest if those laptops are running windows 10. Though I would strongly recommend JAWS 17 since JAWS 16 is less efficient at handling certain aspects of the new operating system.