[Blindmath] Hello

[Billy Baer]

Hello Susan,

I have not posted any messages to this group list in quite some time.
However, when you mentioned refreshable Braille displays, it struck a nerve.


To reintroduce myself, I am a high school math teacher who is legally blind.
I have Retinitis Pigmentosa and when I began teaching, about 20 years ago, I
had fairly good front acuity. But, over the past 5 years, my vision has
declined significantly to the point where I have to rely more on tactile
instruction. Within these past 5 years, I've learned grade 1 and 2 braille.
Do you know where I may purchase a refreshable Braille display? In addition,
it has been extremely difficult to locate any other blind/legally blind high
school math teachers. I've spoken with a number of blind/legally blind
college math professors, however, I have found that the two professions
differ greatly; when it comes to grading students' homework, quizzes, and
tests. My student load is around 150 students. I do not have a  teacher
assistant like college professors. 

I've been in touch with members of the National Association of Blind
Teachers, but I have yet to be in contact with a math teacher.

I would appreciate any suggestions you may have.
Thanks,
Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Susan Jolly
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 5:15 PM
To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindmath] Hello

Most of the people on this list know me but since there are two new persons,

here again is a quick introduction prior to saying something to the new 
persons.  I'm a retired sighted computational scientist who became 
interested in developing braille software because braille had been a hobby 
of my father's.  My main interest is software that can interconvert print 
math and Nemeth braille.

What I wanted to say is, hey guys, learn to read braille.  Beg, borrow, or 
steal a refreshable braille display, hook it up to your computer, and teach 
yourself.  You can set the system up so what you type on your standard 
keyboard pops up as one-for-one computer braille on your display.  Or you 
can use Jaws to produce contracted or Grade 2 braille.  There are a number 
of different brands of braille displays so if you don't like the feel of the

first one you try, try some others.

Make yourself practice at least thirty minutes a day.  (And even if you have

some vision don't use it at all for braille; stay tactile.) Start with 
something simple like a line of identical cells but with one different one 
somewhere in the middle with the goal of simply spotting the different one. 
Remember to move your fingers horizontally and not too slowly.

Best wishes,
Susan J. 


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