It IS possible to drive an UMI interface with a parallel port providing TTL compatible outputs, basically the UMI interfaces are (advanced) break-out boxes feeding the step and direction pulses to a motor driver and connecting feedback signals (encoders, limit switches etc) back to the PC. But in this case, you would have to write your own routines for accelerating and slowing down, as well as evaluating the feedback signals from an encoder or limit switches. There are several manufactures making motor drivers which can be driven via a serial or USB interface, in case you cannot use a NI controller board it will be much easier to use such a setup since the motor drivers usually incorporate at least a basic motor controller providing a set of commands which makes it much easier to control a motor than with doing everything from scratch.
