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Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

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Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#131

Post by asadotzler »

kolanos wrote: post #51
istorical wrote: post #7

Biggest advice, start programming with your monitor covered up by a sheet or turned off now while you still have the option to turn it back on to figure out what you just did. Gradually have it turned off for longer periods without turning it on to see what's happening until you can do it without seeing it at all.

On Macs, there's a screen curtain feature that can be turned on and off. The shortcut is FN+CTRL+OPTION+SHIFT+-. It might be different on older versions of OSX, used to use the right option key, but I've forgotten the keystrokes.

NVDA on Windows also offers a screen curtain. So does TalkBack on Android.

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#132

Post by maerF0x0 »

wlesieutre wrote: post #108
cortesoft wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am confused why his diagnosis makes any difference... this isn't a fatal disease, so he has no fewer years to live than the rest of us. If he thought being a software engineer was what he wanted to do to live a fulfilling life before his diagnosis, why would that change now?

I think “Remaining time with vision” is the intended reading, as in if there’s some other career OP wants to switch to, it would be easier to do now

or even as simple as "Go see the world instead of spending your remaining sight on screen reader software."

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#133

Post by sn »

frosted-flakes wrote: post #98
cortesoft wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am confused why his diagnosis makes any difference... this isn't a fatal disease, so he has no fewer years to live than the rest of us. If he thought being a software engineer was what he wanted to do to live a fulfilling life before his diagnosis, why would that change now?

Because programming without sight is hard. It's definitely doable and could very well lead to a fulfilling life. Or it might not. Maybe there are other careers that he might be better suited for and where his disability won't be as much of a hindrance. If so, he still has time while he can see to prepare for a career change. Basically, the GP is telling the OP to consider all of his options and not to box himself int…

Maybe it's not programming without sight that's hard, but working with sighted programmers who use tools that aren't compatible with screen readers.

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#134

Post by kolanos »

frabbit wrote: post #111
kolanos wrote: post #47

You can definitely continue as a software engineer. I'm living proof. It won't be easy, especially at first. For a while it will feel like you're working twice as hard just to keep up with your sighted peers. But eventually, the better you get with your tools, you'll find you have some superpowers over your sighted peers. For example, as you get better with a screen reader, you'll be bumping the speech rate up to 1.7…

because code is no longer represented visually as blocks, you'll find you're building an increasingly detailed memory model of your code. Sighted people do this, too, but they tend to visualize in their mind. When you abandon this two dimensional representation, your non-visual mental map suffers no spatial limits That's a really interesting idea to me, because I have been trying to improve my memory and recall (most…

It is entirely possible I'm still using my visual cortex. I was once sighted. When I'm in flow my wife tells me that my eyes spasm as though they're following some kind of pattern in space. I'm not aware I was doing this until she mentioned it. I can say, however, that I'm not visualizing the way I once did. In fact, because I don't have a visual input, conjuring up some kind of imaginary visualization would actually slow me down and be a cognitive burden.

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#135

Post by sultanofsaltin »

Like some of the other comments, I’d focus on developing skills in web accessibility and areas that will help you be more productive.

I’m not sure how severe your hearing loss is but if podcasts are your style check out https://drunkenux.com/. The hosts have done a lot of episodes speaking from their backgrounds building education sites, where accessibility in development is required (also it’s funny and who doesn’t need a little levity).

More than anything, experiment with the suggestions here, different input methods, track your progress, Etc. For managing the anxiety especially, dedicating time weekly to work on your system can lead to some of the biggest rewards and occasionally, key insights.

Carpe Diem and keep us posted as you find the hacks that work for you!

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#136

Post by mwcampbell »

RobMurray wrote: post #81

I have been blind since birth. I recommend downloading NVDA, a free screen reader for windows, and getting used to using it for basic computer use. Getting used to hearing the speech as fast as possible is key to being able to use it efficiently. You said you have hearing loss. Is it bad enough to make speech output useless? If so you would need to learn braille. I would never try front end design as I have no idea w…

Not only is Python not problematic when using a screen reader, but there are blind programmers who gladly choose Python over other languages. The NVDA screen reader, mentioned in the parent comment, is developed primarily by blind programmers, in Python. The Orca screen reader for GNOME was written by a blind friend of mine, in Python. I have another blind friend who wrote and sold several accessible apps for Windows and Mac using Python. And those are just a few anecdotes that I'm aware of.

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#137

Post by sn »

blondin wrote: post #21
eli555 wrote: post #10

I had a coworker this happened too. He was in his late 40s when this happened and so had to use a screen reader instead of a Braille display. He used edlin over putty on Windows. Since Jaws ran best there for him. He had to stop working on languages like Python where a screen reader is of little help.

> He had to stop working on languages like Python where a screen reader is of little help. i find this interesting. is it due to the space significance thingy?

Python is totally possible with a screen reader; the screen reader just needs to read out punctuation. It's easier with a self voicing application like emacs.

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#138

Post by WheelsAtLarge »

I recommend you work on your support network now. As you get less able you begin to retreat more on to yourself and your family and less towards the people outside your comfort circle. Make an effort to meet new people and make new friends, now. Also, you will want to stay home more as you feel less comfortable with your abilities, so create habits that will force you to go out and interact with people. For whatever reason, many people are uncomfortable with the disabled, they aren't trying to be jerks but it's hard for many, so if people get used to you early then it will be so much easier on you in the long run. One advantage of knowing what's coming is that you can change your behavior now so you can better deal with your changing abilities.

If you haven't yet, get in contact with the local Braille Institute so they can help you.

An interesting thing about humans is that we get used to whatever life brings us. Problems that seemed impossible to accept and deal with when you are facing them will suddenly be very manageable once you have to deal with them directly.

Be strong and good luck!

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#139

Post by Galaxity »

jedberg wrote: post #129
kolanos wrote: post #47

You can definitely continue as a software engineer. I'm living proof. It won't be easy, especially at first. For a while it will feel like you're working twice as hard just to keep up with your sighted peers. But eventually, the better you get with your tools, you'll find you have some superpowers over your sighted peers. For example, as you get better with a screen reader, you'll be bumping the speech rate up to 1.7…

> you'll be bumping the speech rate up to 1.75-2X normal speech. You'll be the only one who can understand your screen reader Huh. I already listen to most podcasts and recorded presentations at 2x. Now you make me wonder if I could process information faster with a screen reader even though my sight works just fine...

This person is sharing personal information about a serious disease and disability in their life and asking for help.

But thanks for taking the time to share how superhuman you are.

Re: Ask HN: I'm a software engineer going blind, how should I prepare?

#140

Post by bear8642 »

ddevault wrote: post #130
bear8642 wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rob Pike's Acme editor is another powerful tiling editor you can check out.

As a huge fan of Plan 9, I would strongly recommend against acme for visually impaired users. It's highly mouse-driven, requiring a spacial understanding of the interface and the ability to see where the mouse is and coordinate its movement to execute commands.

Good point - didn't think that through enough before recommending.

Just thought of as nice tiling editor.

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