Dear Rachel,

The program that helped me plan essays visually is called "inspiration".
It's quick and easy to learn how to use. You make a mindmap on the computer.
Perhaps you do this on paper already? You write your key idea or essay title
in a central box, then put arrows pointing to sub topics and arrows pointing
from these to idas that relate to these sub topics and so on. The computer
automatically converts this diagram in an orderly list for you. I used this
as an essay structure, as buttet points for presentations and a way to
revise and test myself prior to exams.

I know alot of computers have one as part of the software package. So have a
look to see what programs you have. These programs are available to be
bought by the general public. I visited the RNIB. I'm not sure which country
your in. The RNIB is Englands' society for the blind and even though I'm not
blind they were able to advise me.

The RNIB showed me one called supernova which will read out what's on the
screen.

I used one called read and write. Theoretically this allowed the user to put
a page of print in the scanner. The computer could then read it to you. I
found it a nuisance as it didn't recognise all the text so I just used it to
read out stuff Id already got on the computer. I first tried it during a
needs assesment at student services at my university.

There is a program for blind people called jaws which eliminates the need to
even look at the computer screen at all, as all the menus' are audio. I got
a free trial of this and it confused me alot. It is expensive and takes time
or training to learn.

Student services at my university supplied me with a list of local support
tutors. The funding for this support was part of a disabled students
allowance provided by my local education authority. That's the way it's done
here in England.

I've tried Irlens contact lenses. I prefer the glasses because my tints dark
and I need to take my filters off if I pass in to a dark room. Otherwise I
can't see. I also need to shut my eyes to rest them. This was uncomfortable
with contact lenses.

Best of luck,

Tim



>From: R Leach <leach_rachel@...>
>Reply-To: glimmercoloredfilterglasses@yahoogroups.com
>To: glimmercoloredfilterglasses@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Glimmer 'Colored Filter Glasses'] Re:Dear confused Mum,
>Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:14:15 -0800 (PST)
>
>Tim,
>
> Thank you very much for your detailed reply to "Confused Mum." I was
>diagnosed last year and I am at the end of my university studies. My
>diagnosis with Irlen and Dyslexia came very late in my Master Degree
>studies for me and I am struggling with relearning things using my new
>study methods with the Irlen glasses, months away from a major state board
>exam. It is very slow going but the changes are helping...slowly but
>surely.
>
> Wrap around glasses (not flat glasses due to too much glare and outside
>light), special light bulbs, reading and writing on colored paper only,
>having people orally quiz me on the study materials, etc. are all changes
>that are helping my studies. You mention "programs to help picture
>thinkers plan essays, and ones that will read out text on the screen."
>Could you please tell me more about these items, specifically reading the
>text on the screen. Can they be purchased by the general public? Did your
>university provide you with your personal support tutor?
>
> Also, have you, or anyone else in this group, tried Irlen Colored
>Contact Lenses? How do they feel using them? Do you think they are
>beneficial like the glasses, better or worse?
>
> Thank you,
> Rachel
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

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