[senco-forum] alternative to windows

Just to let you know, there are known accessibility issues with using
certain types of thin client, in particular screenreaders and
magnification software.  

A problem can arise where the screenreader cannot intepret text onscreen
as it only sees it as a large graphic. 

This means that if students are using access technology of this nature
then it cannot be installed onto their machine in the usual way.  

Various companies have terminal server versions of their software (JAWS
and SuperNova to name 2) but they must be installed onto the terminal
server rather than the remote PC.

Another option is to have the student's PC configured outside of the
thin client/terminal server regime perhaps using the previous network
solution.  This will allow video/data process to occur more logically
which hopefully means the access software working.

Just thought I would flag that as it is a known issue in the workplace.

Gurjit Kahlon
Access Technology Consultant, West Midlands.
Tel: 0121 665 4210
Mobile: 07966 792 547
Royal National Institute of the Blind
-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ruth
Newbury
Sent: 27 June 2007 20:55
To: 'ALISON LORYMAN'; senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] alternative to windows

I went to see The Lord Grey School in Milton Keynes - for becta - who
use
thin client - and they had the best and most sophisticated system that I
have ever seen in a school - and they were able to run everything - even
Starspell - or some equally old programme on it with some knowledgable
"tweaking".

I was very, very, impressed with what I saw happening in that school.

Contact thin client for what you can do with your programmes - their
know-how was excellent.

Regards

Ruth

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of ALISON
LORYMAN
Sent: 27 June 2007 20:28
To: sencoforum
Subject: [senco-forum] alternative to windows

The school I work in - a large secondary- is planning to stop using
Windows
and move to Linux as an operating system.  We will also be using 'thin
clients' in most areas.  We use the usual software found in learning
support
such as starspell, wordshark and so on.  Does anyone know if these are
likely to work on Linux and if not what the alternatives might be?

  thanks

  Alison

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