Computer Training

The mission of the Computer Access Program is to provide blind and visually impaired individuals with necessary skills to function independently in today’s fast-paced technological environment.

• Computer technology training for blind and visually impaired individuals using IBM compatible computers, speech synthesizers, screen magnification, readers/scanners and modems.

• Instruction in a hands-on environment by skilled instructors who are themselves blind or visually impaired and accomplished users of the equipment on which they train.

• Training on the software packages most commonly used today in business and for everyday living, such as word processing, spreadsheets, information management, Internet and email.

• Individual or group classes at the agency’s center, conveniently located in Smyrna, GA and served by Cobb Community Transit system.

• A learning environment that respects the individual needs of clients and training programs that meet their professional and personal goals.

• Remote training at locations within the agency’s 28-county service area, on a limited basis.

• A flexible training schedule, which includes weekly one to two-hour classes or a one-week intensive training course with daily classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• An opportunity for visually impaired individuals to learn to use the latest computer assistive technology and gain skills to complete further education or earn a job in the marketplace.

The Computer Access Program provides instruction in a wide variety of software programs, including:

Talking Typer® for Windows
A computer keyboarding and typing training software that speaks and displays lessons on the screen.

JAWS® for Windows (Job Access With Speech)
A comprehensive screen reading program that works for most standard Windows applications and can be scripted to be used with proprietary software. It also may be used with a Braille display.

Connect Outloud®
A screen reading program that provides speech in Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Explorer, and the Desktop. It does not provide speech for other Windows applications, but comes with a basic word processor similar to Word Pad. It also may be used with a braille display.

ZoomText®
A program that combines magnification features with a speech option. The software magnifies information 1.25 to 16 times its normal size.

OpenBook®
Software that works with a scanner to allow blind and visually impaired individuals to read, edit and manage scanned images from printed material. It includes its own speech software, provides some low vision features, and can be used with a braille display. It also comes with Connect Outloud. (See above).

The Computer Access Program is expanding and now includes two new types of standalone assistive devices!

A Pocket PC solution that makes the benefits of a mainstream Pocket PC (iPac or Palm Pilot) accessible to blind and low vision users. Clients can use this device to take notes at school or work, access email or the Internet in the office or on the road, create and use an address book, task list and calendar. It is available with or without a 20 or 40 cell refreshable Braille display.

Voice Mate is the third generation of Parrot's revolutionary organizers that talks and recognizes your voice. Voice Mate uses the latest digital data storage and speech recognition technologies to provide a talking organizer with a wide range of features, which includes a phone book, voice note pad, appointment book, talking alarm clock and calculator.

Intensive training computer courses are designed for clients who have basic typing skills and Window concepts and need training in JAWS for Windows (a screen reader program for blind clients) or ZoomText (a screen magnification program for low vision clients), Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook.

The Intensive Training course is designed for participants who need computer training in a short span of time, i.e. students who want training during a school break, GDOL clients preparing for work, or for participants who live outside of the BLVS service area.

Classes are held at Blind & Low Vision Services of North Georgia’s Smyrna (metro Atlanta) location, Monday to Friday (Tuesday to Friday for the ZoomText class) from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. Course includes 30 hours (24 hours for ZoomText) of training with a qualified instructor and an additional 2 hours of individual phone support, as needed by the class participant. Classes are small, with 1 to 4 participants in each class.

For out-of-town course participants, lodging, meals, and transportation have been pre-arranged and meet the Department of Labor-Vocational Rehabilitation per diem requirements.

Visually impaired individuals or referring agencies should contact an assistive technology instructor for more information about the Computer Access Program and an application to receive services. An assessment will determine the training needs of a client.

Training is divided into three areas:

Keyboarding skills
Basic computer skills through word processing
Generalization of basic skills to multiple applications

Costs of the program are determined by a client’s needs, prior keyboarding skills and/or computer experience, if any. BLVS is a nonprofit agency, providing vision rehabilitation services to clients in a 28-county service area. The agency contracts with the Georgia Department of Labor – Rehabilitation Services and the federal government’s Older Blind Program to provide services to their clients. Funding also comes from a variety of other sources, including private donations and the United Way.

If you have a group and need instruction in assistive technologies, please contact our instructors with your exact need, the number in your group and your group’s location. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs, while providing quality instruction at a reasonable rate.

Contact our assistive technology instructor, Lori Reber at 770.432.7280 or 800.726.7406.



Home Facts about low vision Programs and Services Computer Training Facts about the organization Application information Counseling and Support Other resources Giving Opportunities Newsletter Contact or visit us		Computer Access Program

		MISSION The mission of the Computer Access Program is to provide blind and visually impaired individuals with necessary skills to function independently in today’s fast-paced technological environment. The Computer Access Program provides: • Computer technology training for blind and visually impaired individuals using IBM compatible computers, speech synthesizers, screen magnification, readers/scanners and modems. • Instruction in a hands-on environment by skilled instructors who are themselves blind or visually impaired and accomplished users of the equipment on which they train. • Training on the software packages most commonly used today in business and for everyday living, such as word processing, spreadsheets, information management, Internet and email. • Individual or group classes at the agency’s center, conveniently located in Smyrna, GA and served by Cobb Community Transit system. • A learning environment that respects the individual needs of clients and training programs that meet their professional and personal goals. • Instruction to teens, adults and seniors. • Remote training at locations within the agency’s 28-county service area, on a limited basis. • A flexible training schedule, which includes weekly one to two-hour classes or a one-week intensive training course with daily classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • An opportunity for visually impaired individuals to learn to use the latest computer assistive technology and gain skills to complete further education or earn a job in the marketplace. The Computer Access Program provides instruction in a wide variety of software programs, including: Talking Typer® for Windows A computer keyboarding and typing training software that speaks and displays lessons on the screen. JAWS® for Windows (Job Access With Speech) A comprehensive screen reading program that works for most standard Windows applications and can be scripted to be used with proprietary software. It also may be used with a Braille display. Connect Outloud® A screen reading program that provides speech in Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Explorer, and the Desktop. It does not provide speech for other Windows applications, but comes with a basic word processor similar to Word Pad. It also may be used with a braille display. ZoomText® A program that combines magnification features with a speech option. The software magnifies information 1.25 to 16 times its normal size. OpenBook® Software that works with a scanner to allow blind and visually impaired individuals to read, edit and manage scanned images from printed material. It includes its own speech software, provides some low vision features, and can be used with a braille display. It also comes with Connect Outloud. (See above). NEW TECHNOLOGIES The Computer Access Program is expanding and now includes two new types of standalone assistive devices! PAC Mate® A Pocket PC solution that makes the benefits of a mainstream Pocket PC (iPac or Palm Pilot) accessible to blind and low vision users. Clients can use this device to take notes at school or work, access email or the Internet in the office or on the road, create and use an address book, task list and calendar. It is available with or without a 20 or 40 cell refreshable Braille display. Voice Mate from Parrot!® Voice Mate is the third generation of Parrot's revolutionary organizers that talks and recognizes your voice. Voice Mate uses the latest digital data storage and speech recognition technologies to provide a talking organizer with a wide range of features, which includes a phone book, voice note pad, appointment book, talking alarm clock and calculator. Intensive Computer Training Courses Learn JAWS for Windows in 5 days! Learn ZoomText in just 4 days! Intensive training computer courses are designed for clients who have basic typing skills and Window concepts and need training in JAWS for Windows (a screen reader program for blind clients) or ZoomText (a screen magnification program for low vision clients), Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook. The Intensive Training course is designed for participants who need computer training in a short span of time, i.e. students who want training during a school break, GDOL clients preparing for work, or for participants who live outside of the BLVS service area. Classes are held at Blind & Low Vision Services of North Georgia’s Smyrna (metro Atlanta) location, Monday to Friday (Tuesday to Friday for the ZoomText class) from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. Course includes 30 hours (24 hours for ZoomText) of training with a qualified instructor and an additional 2 hours of individual phone support, as needed by the class participant. Classes are small, with 1 to 4 participants in each class. For out-of-town course participants, lodging, meals, and transportation have been pre-arranged and meet the Department of Labor-Vocational Rehabilitation per diem requirements. APPLYING FOR SERVICES Visually impaired individuals or referring agencies should contact an assistive technology instructor for more information about the Computer Access Program and an application to receive services. An assessment will determine the training needs of a client. Training is divided into three areas: Keyboarding skills Basic computer skills through word processing Generalization of basic skills to multiple applications Costs of the program are determined by a client’s needs, prior keyboarding skills and/or computer experience, if any. BLVS is a nonprofit agency, providing vision rehabilitation services to clients in a 28-county service area. The agency contracts with the Georgia Department of Labor – Rehabilitation Services and the federal government’s Older Blind Program to provide services to their clients. Funding also comes from a variety of other sources, including private donations and the United Way. Group Instruction If you have a group and need instruction in assistive technologies, please contact our instructors with your exact need, the number in your group and your group’s location. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs, while providing quality instruction at a reasonable rate. CONTACT US! Contact our assistive technology instructor, Lori Reber at 770.432.7280 or 800.726.7406.



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