[Ct-nfb] use of Braille

[Justin Salisbury]

Hi Joyce,

I have long been told that BESB does not provide direct braille instruction for Blind adults, but I do know that BESB will purchase full, immersive adult training programs, such as that which is offered at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, for its adult clients. That includes braille.

I do recognize, though, that some blind people are not in a position where they are going to seek that level of training, and it would be nice if they could learn Braille.

Take care,

Justin

Sent from the iPhone of:

Justin Salisbury, NOMC
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

"None can be free as long as any are enslaved"

Dr. Kenneth Jernigan


On Nov 22, 2015, at 5:41 PM, blindhands--- via Ct-nfb <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Braille is an important tool for the blind.  I know children learn it easier beginning at a younger age.

I am just so disappointed that the older folks do not get training in Braille by BESB.  If I had a better opportunity of being trained in Braille when I lost my sight almost 20 years ago, I feel I would have had more job opportunities and seeking businesses I could have started and worked in.

Too little too late.

Joyce Kane, President
NFB Krafters Division
www.KraftersKorner.org<http://www.krafterskorner.org>


From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of stanley torow via Ct-nfb
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2015 12:29 PM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: stanley torow <setorow at optonline.net<mailto:setorow at optonline.net>>
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] use of Braille

I am legally blind{ have some sight}. lost it at a senior age, but I think one needs both Braille & audio. I agree with you totally. young kids needs to learn Braille. one needs to crawl before one can walk.
Eileen



On Sat, Nov 21, 2015 at 04:27 PM, Sandra Streeter via Ct-nfb wrote:


Interesting question—whether Braille reading figures into identity as a blind person... While I don’t espouse the idea that there is a “blind culture” similar to the abundantly-clear deaf culture, I would have to say, as a person who learned Braille young, I would be bereft without it—and am, when it isn’t available! Apparently, as I’ve read in several sources, the areas of the brain’s visual cortex usually earmarked for sight are transferred, in a blind person, to use of other senses that take over for sight—and I have become a highly-visual learner. Meaning, if you tell me something ten times, I finally get it; if you make me learn it by tactile reading, it may take 3-4 times. I’d guess, really, that my learning style is mixed—I have a highly visual structure, but because Braille involves hand and arm movement, I probably have some kinesthetic aspects (moving helps learning—the same reason that, when I’m hearing a lecture or sermon, I can retain details later if I’m working on a crochet piece, or taking notes on a slate, Brailler, notetaker or whatever). I am not sure what learning style I’d have developed if I hadn’t been trained in Braille—it might be one of those “chicken or egg” questions... I have gotten better at audio learning over the years, but anything that needs close attention: music, recipes, appliance manuals, poetry, devotional materials—absolutely must come in tactually, or it doesn’t stick!! I think another area where it does impact identity, for me, is in the fact that it contributes to my self-concept, and the conception in sighted hiring managers, that I am an able employee; I would not have had the many jobs I’ve had without Braille, and would not be nearly as capable without it.



Sandra
“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
(Les Miserables--the musical)
________________________________
_______________________________________________
Ct-nfb mailing list
Ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:Ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Ct-nfb:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/setorow%40optonline.net
_______________________________________________
Ct-nfb mailing list
Ct-nfb at nfbnet.org<mailto:Ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Ct-nfb:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/president%40alumni.ecu.edu
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151123/c7f88aa7/attachment.html>