Information Request

[AthlonRob]

Hi-

I have a friend who is completely blind.  She *really* wants to get online and have direct access to email, at the very least.  Currently, her husband is having to read all the information to her after he downloads it in Windows 95.

We have three laptops they could use.  One is based on a Cyrix MediaGX 233, another a Pentium II 266, and the third a 486 DX4/75.  I am currently running Slackware on the Pentium II system without any problems.

Now... JAWS, it seems, would cost them several hundred dollars.  This simply isn't an option; they don't have enough money to rationalize spending that much just for her to be able to read/listen to their email herself.  There was another Windows screenreader which, if I remember correctly, was just as expensive.

Are our options any better in the GNU/Linux realm?  I've seen mention of software synthesizers for Linux, but no mention of screenreaders to go with them... if that is an issue?  I also read Speakup will not work with a software synthesizer, but don't understand why not, if they're available.  Are the hardware synthesizers that are compatable with Speakup able to interface with the main system via either PCMCIA, serial/parrallel ports, or USB ports?  How expensive would such a thing be... and where would I look to buy one?

I really really want to help her out.  Money is definitely limited, though.  I do hope there are some GPL options available out there for folks in a situation like this...

Thank you for any input/direction you are able to give me!

Rob
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