[Blindtlk] Need Brailler Suggestion

Thu Nov 27 15:02:39 UTC 2014

Hi,

I use the Smart Brailler in my classroom with my students. It does have an 
app on it from the Building on Patterns Kindergarten Program, which can be 
used with any age since single-letter, whole-word contractions are necessary 
for all students; I just explain that using the program does not mean they 
are at a Kindergarten level for our purpose, and that we are not using the 
books to go along with it. I use the Brailler with all ages. Basically, it 
is a Perkins Brailler that talks. It also has a screen for sighted teachers 
to be able to read what the student is writing. I would not recommend it. It 
has promise, if modified. Some of its negative features from my perspective 
are: the speech and actual Braille produced are not always the same, the 
speech does quirky things and does not always work according to the speech 
setting, for ex., if in letter/word mode, it will on occasion just start 
sounding out a word while written or say a contraction even before space is 
pressed, it only has the one app (additional apps or creating one's own 
words for an app would be great since it would mean students can work 
independently and practice spelling and/or Braille contractions, but it does 
not have such a feature at this time), files transferred to it can not be 
spoken in such a way for the user to write it as it is spoken or even to 
navigate to and spell words easily, the unit is made of plastic, and thus, 
won't last as long, the paper is more tricky to insert; It would be a great 
unit if some of these problems were fixed, and I hope that happens in future 
updates.

. So, to answer your question, the Smart Brailler is appropriate for any age 
and great because it speaks back letters, words, letters and words, 
sentences, it has clear speech, and can allow one to save files, while at 
the same time, allowing to produce hardcopy Braille. It is not a Braille 
printer, just to be clear. The saved files can be transferred from computer 
to the unit and vise versa. If apps were added and its programming made it 
more reliable, it would be a great device.

What I recommend for your student would be a Braille notetaker, such as the 
BrailleNote. This speaks, has a Braille display for reading, allows one to 
create, edit, and save files, including in Word format, has a scientific 
calculator, allows one to do email and browse the Net, and so on. Anita

-----Original Message----- 
From: Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors via blindtlk
Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2014 8:19 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Need Brailler Suggestion

The ICBV has recently learned of a 16 year old girl, that grew up blind in 
one eye, and lost total sight two years ago.  She is attending Illinois 
School for the Visually impaired and learning Braille.  She is a very 
determined teen with plans to be totally successful in her personal life as 
well as in business.  She started a fundraiser so that she can buy some 
adaptive technology.  ICBV has decided to adopt her this Christmas and would 
like to provide her with a much needed Brailler.  She had her heart set on 
the Smart Brailler and when we went to order it for her American Printing 
stated that this is meant for (Kindergartner) beginner Braillers. Has anyone 
used this Brailler?  Is it useful for a 16 year old?  Would anyone recommend 
it?  If not what would you recommend?  The standard Brailler? A Notetaker? 
Which one?  We know that these are very pricey and want to do what's best 
for her.  Any suggestions?

Thank you,
Kathy Ungaro

Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors
53 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 502
Chicago, IL 60604
(630)234-4444

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>Subject: blindtlk Digest, Vol 101, Issue 21
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>Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Digital Recorder (Gary Wunder)
>   2. Counselor opening, Idaho Commission For The Blind (Judy Jones)
>   3. Question about instant messaging programs for Windows 8    and
>      JAWS 15 (Jasmine Kotsay)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 08:41:25 -0600
>From: "Gary Wunder" <gwunder at earthlink.net>
>To: "'Steve & Shannon Cook'" <cookcafe at sc.rr.com>,    "'Blind Talk
>    Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Digital Recorder
>Message-ID: <004501d00987$0ea31c70$2be95550$@earthlink.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
>
>Most of the Olympus recorders can be voice activated. This would handle the
>recording. Playing back would require technology I know nothing about.
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve &
>Shannon Cook via blindtlk
>Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:19 PM
>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>Subject: [Blindtlk] Digital Recorder
>
>Hi All,
>
>I have a client that is blind and does not have any arms.  Does anyone know
>of a digital recorder this person would be able to operate?
>
>Steve Cook
>Today I married my best friend.
>The one that I laugh with, live for, love.
>October 11, 2003
>
>
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 11:47:16 -0700
>From: "Judy Jones" <jtj1 at cableone.net>
>To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: [Blindtlk] Counselor opening, Idaho Commission For The Blind
>Message-ID: <BF28A227A40D458787F788C11F8FBBD8 at Owner>
>Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>https://labor.idaho.gov/DHR/ATS/StateJobs/jobannouncement.aspx?announcement_no=09478024242
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 3
>Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 02:00:20 -0800
>From: "Jasmine Kotsay" <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com>
>To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: [Blindtlk] Question about instant messaging programs for
>    Windows 8    and JAWS 15
>Message-ID: <003001d00a28$f5683040$e03890c0$@gmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
>
>Hi,
>I was wondering if anyone knows of a program that is good for instant
>messaging besides Skype on a Windows 8 laptop running JAWS 15? Any help is
>appreciated.
>
>
>------------------------------
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>End of blindtlk Digest, Vol 101, Issue 21
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