I guess I don't think too much about the technology I personally use to access a computer. I'm actually a business analyst, working as a consultant for several years.
I primarily use a Mac, but you won't see that as the first choice of many visually impaired individuals. It has a built-in screen reading component. If you've got a Mac, try it out:
1. Go to System Preferences.
2. Click on Universal Access
3. Check out "Voiceover" and open its utility and read the very short help section.
Now, try using it to read through these boards. It may seem difficult, but I'm doing it in my pjs in bed with my BT keyboard with the laptop on the desk on the other side of the room speaking to me. Yeah, I'm a geek, it sits right next to my pillow at night so when I first wake up I grab it and check my email. This is usually my second or third stop before I need to get up for the day. I've fallen asleep typing messages on here before.
Now, on Windows, and for most of my professional work, I use JAWS. It stands for Job Access With Speech, and it is a bolted on afterthought for Windows. I say that because it is clunkier than Voiceover, even though it costs $1100 per copy. Did I mention Voiceover was free?
Anyway, I also use other technologies such as braille embosser (braille printer), touch sensative tablets that allow me to label and feel things like UML diagrams, etc. For you database types, I do my own ER diagramming. Not easy, but it gets done.
To tell all of you the truth, I am waiting for Disney to do more when it comes to adapting things for the visually impaired. I think going on a solo trip may actually draw some attention to the subject. The ecxcuse could be that someone else is there to guide you if you're with others, but what about blind couples? Heck, I actually have met a few blind families where two parents had the same condition and passed it down to their kids. Yeah, I'll leave the agree or disagreement for a different forum. But, yeah they exist, and would love to go to WDW. They can't though, simply because taking that risk with kids isn't a good thing. I actually plan to document my trip in detail, because I'd love to publish things I learn while having fun on this trip.
Past trips have not been solo to WDW. Usually with family or a girlfriend. Now, I'm going simply because I love going, and nobody else wants to go. My girlfriend broke up with me about 3 months ago, but that doesn't mean I don't want to go. I'll also be spending some of my time with people. Paul Barry from Window to the Magic, Jana and Mike from Let's Talk About Disney. Let us not forget about Mousefest. I'll have plenty of people to meet, and will have a whole new bunch of people to email, call, and Skype by the end of this.
Ryan