Jon Nixey - ComputersI first became interested in computers during 1993, when I visited 2 blind friends in Eastleigh, Hampshire. I was fascinated what Brian and Liz could do with their talking computers! I'd never come across anything like it before. When I returned home to Wales, I excitedly told my father all about it. Before long, to my amazement, he paid for me to have my very own computer! At that time, in late 1993, I was using DOSS 6.0, but soon upgraded to DOS 6.2! Wow! I was flying on my 386DX 16mb ram computer! Even back then, it became necessary to upgrade from time to time, but for the programmes I was using I only found the need to upgrade the RAM, to 32mb! You may well be wondering how a blind or deaf-blind person can possibly use a computer. Firstly, someone who is partially sighted can use screen magnification software, such as Magic or Lunar. Because I was registered totally blind several years before I began using computers, I have no experience with this type of software at all. Someone who is totally blind can use text to speech software, such as Hal or Jaws. I have used Hal extensively since 1993, but more recently made the switch to Jaws. No doubt you are wondering though how a deaf-blind person can use computers? Quite simply, they use an electronic Braille display that is connected to their computer! Mousemat on BBC Radio WalesOne night in late 2002 while searching the Internet, I came across Howard Griffith's personal website. At the time, Howard was a presenter and roving reporter for BBC Radio Wales. Through E-mailing each other, Howard learned how as a blind person I use my computer. I phoned in early one morning to his Early Birds radio showhe, and our chat ended with Howard telling me he had an idea that he wanted to discuss with me. As you can imagine, I was intrigued! In early January, Howard E-mailed me to let me know that he was ready to put his idea to his producer. The idea was to have a report on two passions in my life: my music and my website. Just a week or so later, he contacted me again to say that his producer was very keen on the idea, and Howard said he would be in touch very soon to arrange a date and time for the recording. On Wednesday January 22, 2003, Howard arrived at my home to make the recording. Howard not only wanted to include two of my own compositions in the interview, but he also wanted my screen reader, Hal, talking to demonstrate how a blind PC user reads E-mails and other documents. The two tracks chosen were "Purple Ribbon" and "Nosda i Gymru", or in English, "Goodnight to Wales." The interview was included in the "Mousemat" programme on Sunday February 2,at 7:00am, and the programme was repeated the following Wednesday, February 5, at 6:30p.m. Listen to the Mousemat interview (Playing time: 4 minutes) Excerpt from the Mousemat Factsheet:Have you ever tried to design a web site? If you have, you will know how tricky it can be. Visually impaired Jon Nixey was born with the progressive eye condition Retinitis Pigmentosa, and he was registered totally blind in April 1985. He has created his own site using alternative techniques. Our reporter Howard Griffiths talks to Jon in his home town of Abertillery where he discusses his site which is centered around his love for music. Related Links
BBC Radio Wales Home Page |