Hey Gang I teach kids that are visually impaired, a big issue with them and many people with visual impairments, is that they are roped down to one machine since that is what has their software on it so they are able access the computer. Most my students are still print readers they just need the screen enlarged, I've looked into open source alternatives to the screen enlarger they use and honestly none of them that I have found come close to comparing to zoomtext or magic which are the applications of choice for many people with visual impairments. I have this software and licenses to it, but I would love a way to make it to where it could run from a USB drive so the kids could use, say any computer in the library or at the school if they need to. I understand there are likely restrictions to modifying the software in the EULA which is the hang up to it all, but man this would really make a great change in the world of people with visual impairments if they had an app that could travel with them. If I knew anything about coding I'd try to do this myself but I haven't a clue where to start in making an application portable. Is there anyone that would be willing to assist me in this? Thanks a ton! visionteacher at gmail dot com, if you don't want to post here. Forgive me please if I’m disregarding any list etiquette, it’s not my intention.
~Mickey
I tried it out, it seems to not have the mouse wheel scrolling for magnification functionality. That program is the best open source option I've seen, but not the best out there, when comparing to something like zoomtext, certainly not a fault of this community, and if I had some coding ability I would probably work to change that. Anyway as you say, zoomtext does a lot, the unfortunate thing is that many visually impaired users, use a lot of that functionality. I don't know much about these things, but is one able to trim out functions in an application if they require system level type things, or is it an all or nothing deal? The real thing would be the color changing, zooming, and their ability to smooth out the text even when its really enlarged. That's the big difference between zoomtext and other mags is that it somehow doesn't make the enlarged text all pixelated, perhaps adding that function would be the easier ticket to one of the open source apps. Though I'm sure I don't know what kind of work I'm asking for, oh and the ability to turn magnification onto the whole screen, a lot of people use that rather than the lens. Thanks so much for your help already. That little app that you sent by itself will be helpful. And adding the other functionality I mentioned would be just gravy.
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