Need to set up a laptop for visually impaired aunt

[ukserendipity]

Hi. My aunt is 86, very sharp, and had a professional life for many years. She had a 17" laptop running XP and recently bought a new laptop now XP is coming to an end, but it is Windows 8 and she can't get to grips with it. She has very poor sight and I am thinking of getting a used Vista laptop, putting Windows 7 on it and setting it up to have some kind of high contrast and larger text, but not really sure if this is the best option. She also needs a laptop with hdmi, so she can use the TV as a screen - so am now thinking the size of laptop is less important if she is using the TV for a screen. Just seen something about Vinux and am wondering if that will work on the tv screen or just the laptop screen (some kind of voice reader I believe).

Would welcome any suggestions on hardware and software to set up for her - she has just moved to a very small flat, space is an issue, and at present she can't use her Windows 8 laptop at all.

 

[ukserendipity]

Putting another OS on the Windows 8 laptop isn't really an option - a) it might not work (I believe some Windows 8 laptops just won't play ball with other operating systems) and b) I just want to provide an all in one solution/piece of kit rather than mess about with her new laptop which she could then sell.

 

[scout_03]

since she gone use the tv why you dont try to get higher screen text on under the display in windows .

 

[ukserendipity]

Yes I think that might be the way to go. I have just bought a used Sony Laptop with a 15.5" 4:3 screen for her and will upgrade it from Vista to Windows 7, have large text and icons and make a large shutdown button for the desktop screen. It doesn't have hdmi unfortunately, but hopefully this set up will mean she doesn't need to use the tv screen (after all, plugging cables in and out of a tv aint great if you can't see properly!). The problem with the Windows 8 laptop she now has is - it is 16:9 so less screen height, plus the screen is too small generally - plus is has Windows 8 on it which she really doesn't like at all. I burned and tried Vinux and ran it live, but although it has a screen reader, the visuals weren't customisable enough. Windows 7 does have a fair bit of customisation for appearance, contrast and size of things and am hoping the 4:3 screen will be better for this. Avoided another 17" screen as it will be very awkward for moving around. A screen reader would be nice as well but I think Jaws for Windows is very expensive. Any further tips gratefully received.

 

[scout_03]

this for a reader http/www.screenreader.net/index.php?pageid=11

 

[ukserendipity]

Brilliant! Thanks very much - can't believe there's something free to use with Windows. Will try it out.