[Athen] ZoomText and progressive vision loss

[Linda Petty]

Hi
I would agree with Robert Beach, that most LV students I have worked with prefer ZoomText for screen magnification/reading support, over Magic.

AI Squared is offering a new version of ZoomText, which incorporates a Screen Reader 
Here is their blurb on it:

"ZoomText Fusion

Designed for users with advanced or progressive vision loss, ZoomText Fusion provides the features and benefits of ZoomText Magnifier/Reader, plus a complete screen reader. Fusion is perfect for individuals who, over time, want a smooth and safe transition from magnification to full screen reading. ZoomText Fusion grows with you, ensuring that you will always be able to use your computer."


There are recorded Webinars on the product on their website. The cost is also lower- $999 for one product, instead of purchasing Jaws for a similar price, plus MAGic. 
Regards,

Linda Petty, O.T. Reg. (Ont.)
Assistive Technology Consultant
AccessAbility Services
a division of Student Affairs

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
Science Wing, Room SW302G
1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario  M1C 1A4
Direct Line: 416-208-5144
Tel/TTY (appointments): 416-287-7560
Fax: 416-287-7334
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ability

Tomorrow is created here.
This electronic message and all contents contain information that may be privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. The information is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not an addressee, any disclosure, copy, distribution or use of the contents of this message is prohibited. If you have received this electronic message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy the original message and all copies.



-----Original Message-----
From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of athen-list-request at mailman13.u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2016 3:01 PM
To: athen-list at u.washington.edu
Subject: athen-list Digest, Vol 125, Issue 15

Send athen-list mailing list submissions to
	athen-list at u.washington.edu

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
	http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
	athen-list-request at mailman13.u.washington.edu

You can reach the person managing the list at
	athen-list-owner at mailman13.u.washington.edu

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of athen-list digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Recent comparisons of Magic and Zoom Text (Robert Beach)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:55:25 +0000
From: Robert Beach <rbeach at KCKCC.EDU>
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network
	<athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Recent comparisons of Magic and Zoom Text
Message-ID:
	<34D068EC55A9914494617A37B8D8FA84011E1B78BA at EROS.EMPLOYEES.KCKCC.LOCAL>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have not used Magic, but I have successfully installed and used both JAWS and ZoomText on a computer at the same time.  There used to be some issues with install sequence and so on, but that has not really been the case in the last few years, at least not here.

I have had several students run JAWS ans ZT together.  It does work, but ZT does not track JAWS as well as Magic does.  I have one student who is currently using the JAWS/Magic setup on his personal computer, but is using JAWS/ZT on our systems here.  He prefers the JAWS/Magic mix, but can work with eiter one.

Having said that, if LV studets are given the choice for magnification only, all of mine have preferred ZT over Magic.


Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS  66112
Phone: 913-288-7671
Email: rbeach at kckcc.edu<mailto:rbeach at kckcc.edu>

From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Normajean.Brand
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 1:23 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Recent comparisons of Magic and Zoom Text

Hi Aura,
It is true that JAWS and ZoomText don't "mesh" well because they fight for control of the video intercept controller/driver. That is the message that can come up, including the "blue screen of death". And, Freedom Scientific will tell you that you can't load JAWS and ZoomText on the same computer but not the "why". And, the learning curve for MAGic and JAWS is considerably less time than moving from ZoomText to JAWS for some users, because the keystrokes in MAGic mimic those of JAWS. With that said, I don't know which software, ZoomText or MAGic, your state resources (ours is Texas D.A.R.S.) start out teaching new V.I. but in Texas (Harris County, Houston) area it's been defaulted to ZoomText and then if the consumer's vision worsens to having to go to JAWS, they teach JAWS. Some of the D.A.R.S. counselors will ask a consumer if they want to learn MAGic, kinda being proactive in case, or ZoomText, but not always do they give a choice.

Now, again with that said, I have successfully installed JAWS, MAGic, and ZoomText on several computers over the past 15 years with no problem AS LONG AS I INSTALL JAWS AND MAGic FIRST then install ZoomText. Obviously I can't run them at the same time but... I don't experience the video intercept issue or the blue screen of death if I follow the sequence of: JAWS, MAGic and then ZoomText. I also have both JAWS and ZoomText assist (talking) with Windows Log on. This way if a V.I. needs the magnification they have it, if they are Blind and needs to utilize JAWS to assist they have that. Once logged in, with their student ID/credentials, we set it up for JAWS to default for that student if that is what is needed. I also have the shortcuts setup as well just in case: Ctrl + Alt + J or Ctrl + Alt + M or Ctrl + Alt + Z.

I've done this with Win XP, Win 7 (bypassed Win 8), and Win 10. I know others have had issues with loading JAWS and ZoomText, or all three on a computer but so far, knocking on wood and praying, I haven't had any issues.

Hope this helps.

NJ
________________________________
NJ Brand, ATAC
Houston Community College
ADA Technician
College Educational & Technology Services - C.E.T.S.
VM/Office: 713.718.5604
FAX: 713.718.5430
Email: normajean.brand at hccs.edu<mailto:normajean.brand at hccs.edu>


From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Aura Mollick Hirschman
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 12:51 PM
To: athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Recent comparisons of Magic and Zoom Text


Hi,



I have been out of the loop with this List serve group so I hope this is not repetitive. I am looking to compare Zoom Text and Magic for our campus. I have been hearing that the Zoom Text does not mesh with JAWS, whereas Magic uses the same keystrokes and has other compatibility with JAWS. Do you have any experience or insights on best choices?



Thanks,

Aura


Aura M. Hirschman, M.S., C.R.C.
Senior Counselor B/VI & Alternative Text Program Coordinator University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Accessibility Resource Center Mitchell Hall, Room 103
3203 North Downer Avenue
Milwaukee, WI  53211-3153

phone (414) 229-5660
fax (414) 229-2237


NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: This email and any attachments, contains information that is, or may be, covered by electronic communications privacy laws and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If this email contains any student specific data or information, these laws apply. If you are NOT the intended recipient(s) of this email, please disregard the content, delete the email message and notify the original sender.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20160620/8ab1d986/attachment-0001.html>

------------------------------

Subject: Digest Footer

_______________________________________________
athen-list mailing list
athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu
http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list


------------------------------

End of athen-list Digest, Vol 125, Issue 15
*******************************************