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Archived Technology Advice
Surfing while Lying Down
Assistive technology information in Spanish
Help with spreadsheets
Help with spreadsheets
My eyesight, which was never very good, has really taken a turn for the worse. My glasses are not helping much but my Doctor says that this is as good as it’s going to get. My eyes have gotten so bad that it’s really becoming hard to read spreadsheets on my work computer. I’m waking up at night stressing out about losing my job. I know it’s illegal to get fired because I can’t see but I don’t think that’s going to stop my boss. I’ve tried using bigger fonts for the spreadsheet but it makes it really hard to work on large spreadsheets. Has anybody used anything that works well with spreadsheets?
- Some of this may seem simplistic, or may have already been tried and rejected, but these are my thoughts: - Try playing around with the cell background/text color to see if it's easier to see -Change your display settings (like reducing the resolution to 800x600) to make things bigger. If you're on a PC, you can change the display theme to a larger or higher contrast one. -Try magnification software. Some software have the option to magnify just the area immediately around the cursor (like a magnifying glass over the cursor). The following web site has links to lots of different magnifiers you can download and try: http://www.magnifiers.org/links/Download_Software/Screen_Magnifiers/ Good luck!
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Since I don't know what your visual impairment is (acuity? field loss? other?), or what your spreadsheet program is, I can just throw out a suggestion. Have you tried changing the colors to make them a different contrast? A white-on-black or yellow-on-black might be of help if white on black is poor. Or maybe making the text more bold?
Assistive technology information in Spanish
For the first time, I will be working with parents whose primary language is Spanish. Does anyone have any sources (web or books or?) for AT information in Spanish? I’m looking for everything from basic explanations of the benefits and types of AT for children with disabilities to legal information. Thanks, Cassandra
Hello, Cassandra. I am a parent advocate at DREDF. I would be more than
happy to give you information on benefits and types of legal information helpful
to school age kids. please feel free to call me at DREDF 644-2555 on Tuesdays.
Also, you might want to look at an the organization PAI (510) 430-8033. talk
to you soon, Julie Barraza
Surfing while Lying Down
Is there a way to mount a laptop so it's held over my bed? Because of my disability,
I spend a lot of time lying down, and I'd like to get on the Internet and check
email during this time, but I can't seem to position the computer appropriately.
I have to lie pretty much horizontally, so I can't sit up some in bed to use
the computer. Has anyone found a good answer for this? Megan
One solution that the Center for Accessible Technology has recommended
for people in the past is to use an over-the-bed table that has some tilting
capability and a lip to hold the laptop in place. For example, Handy-Table,
$100 (through June), can be ordered by calling 800-467-8729. Jane Vincent
