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<DIV>In a message dated 11/18/2015 2:28:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Justin, this
was really well stated and quite impressive definitely more publized
A suggestion what I sugggest is that you should or
one of the committee members should get a piece on that show Better
Connecticut whichis on channel 3 which is rally CT CBS in doing a piece
of teaching/usng braille its effects of life and products
services they'd definatelly make it happen with you speaking to
them.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Take care ElizabethTime, ct-nfb@nfbnet.org writes:</DIV>
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style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Hi
Mary,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Great
questions! This could become quite the philosophy
discussion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>One
comment before your questions: I learned in my master’s program at Louisiana
Tech that the IDEA actually states that Braille is the default reading medium
for all legally blind students unless it can be proven otherwise that Braille
is somehow not appropriate for the child. We are grateful for this provision
because it is indeed in line with our goals of promoting Braille
literacy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>What are your thoughts on Braille being used as part of a
person's identity within the Blind community? Is that a significant factor in
whether or not one chooses to learn Braille? <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>In the words of Dr. Jernigan, Braille literacy is one of
the major trappings, though not the substance, of independence. A slave can
have good mobility and Braille skills and still be a slave. It is important to
note, though, that it is hard to be a fully independent blind person without
Braille literacy. Academic research demonstrates that blind people who read
Braille have better employment outcomes, more financial independence, and
overall more first-class status indicators than blind people who do not. We
celebrate the independence of our people in the blind community, but it is
relevant in the broader society, too.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt">My other question
is....How has assistive technology influenced this decision making
process with the wide availability of text to voice products? <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>The
reality is that most teachers of the blind are not as comfortable with and
confident in Braille and the blind students using it to teach it with the
rigor and gusto that they should. In the case of properly-trained teachers of
the blind, these other technologies actually make Braille more available, such
as when we pair a Braille display with our computers or iPhones. Comprehension
of material read in print or Braille exceeds the comprehension of material
read in auditory methods for most people. When people try to use these
technologies as an excuse to not teach or not provide Braille, it is just
that: an excuse.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Have
a good one!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Justin
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Justin
Salisbury, NOMC<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Graduate
Student<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Professional
Development and Research Institute on Blindness<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Louisiana
Tech University<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Email:
<A title=mailto:President@Alumni.ECU.edu
href="mailto:President@Alumni.ECU.edu"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #0563c1">President@Alumni.ECU.edu</SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Twitter:
@SalisburyJustin<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>"None
can be free as long as any are enslaved" <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Dr.
Kenneth Jernigan<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif'> Ct-nfb
[mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Mary Silverberg via
Ct-nfb<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, November 18, 2015 12:36 PM<BR><B>To:</B> NFB
of Connecticut Mailing List <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org><BR><B>Cc:</B> Mary
Silverberg <marysilverfox@gmail.com><BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Ct-nfb]
Article from Citizens Voice Pennsylvania News 2015 11 15<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>I agree with Cheri; never take away the ability to
read...or deny it. Although I do not read Braille, I believe it should be
taught as one of the options for reading and communication. Deaf
children are often taught American Sign Language (ASL), along with
verbal or oral communication. Whether it is Braille or ASL, eventually as
teens or adults, people choose what is comfortable for them.
<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>What are your thoughts on Braille being used as part of a
person's identity within the Blind community? Is that a significant factor in
whether or not one chooses to learn Braille? <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt">My other question
is....How has assistive technology influenced this decision making
process with the wide availability of text to voice products?
<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>Mary Silverberg<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>On Mon, Nov 16, 2015 at 4:38 PM, Cheri Duquette via Ct-nfb
<<A title=mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org"
target=_blank>ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</A>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></P>
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<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>No, never take the ability to read away from
anyone!! <BR><BR>Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><BR>On Nov 15, 2015, at 9:00
PM, Esther Levegnale via Ct-nfb <<A title=mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org" target=_blank>ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</A>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>Thanks for the article, Edward. There certainly
wasn't a good review of Braille, though. To me, it kind of got a bad
rap. You'd be surprised the comments and questions I get about
Braille being a "dead language". I had to set someone straight over
this past weekend, as a matter of fact. The person understood when I
explained the benefits of learning Braille.<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>Esther<BR><BR>Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome
iPhone 6+!<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><BR>On Nov 15, 2015, at
8:30 PM, Edward Shaham via Ct-nfb <<A title=mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org" target=_blank>ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</A>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
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<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>What
do you all think?</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'>Edward</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">Statewide
blind group meets at birthplace. Eric Mark. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri",sans-serif; COLOR: #1f497d'> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto">WILKES-BARRE - The
Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of the Blind held its
annual convention this weekend at the spot where the organization was
born in 1940: Best Western Genetti Hotel & Conference Center. In
November 1940, a group of 16 advocates for the blind, from seven states,
gathered in Wilkes-Barre at the hotel that is now Genetti's. They formed
a constitution that created the National Federation of the Blind, or
NFB, which grew to be the largest organization led by blind people in
the nation. To mark the 75th anniversary of the federation's founding,
the Pennsylvania chapter chose Wilkes-Barre as the site for this year's
state convention, said Lynn Heitz, the chapter's first vice president.
"The national organization was founded right here," she said Saturday
afternoon, outside a spacious meeting room where most of the 120 people
who attended the convention gathered for lectures and seminars on a wide
range of topics that affect the visually impaired. Blind and low-vision
people of all ages walked confidently into and out of the room with the
help of long white canes. One of the seminar topics was "Technology for
the blind and how it has changed. Mark Riccobono, the national president
of NFB, had some thoughts on that, as he stepped out of the meeting room
to speak with a reporter. He called technological advances
"double-edged" for the visually impaired community. On the upside, there
are useful technologies such as voice-activated personal assistants
available on computers and smart phones. Riccobono demonstrated an app
he recently installed on his iPhone, called KNFB Reader, that can take a
picture of printed text and read it aloud to a visually impaired person.
He pointed his phone toward the program for the convention, clicked a
button and a mechanical voice started to recite the convention schedule
listed in the program. On the other hand, the push for technological
solutions to replace Braille, a writing system for the blind that uses
raised letters and characters, has left some blind people struggling,
especially younger ones in school and college, Riccobono said. "A lot of
technology is not built with accessibility in mind," he said. He cited
his own experience growing up as a legally blind student in Wisconsin,
where his teachers, in line with the educational philosophy of the time,
tried to get him to read and study as much as possible the conventional
way and use Braille only as a last resort. "I faked it all the time," he
said. "I had to memorize things. There were lots of positive stories at
the convention, which draws a dedicated core group and some newcomers
each year, according to Heitz, who described the gathering as "a family.
Liliya Asadullina, 22, said being blind has not stopped her from a
rewarding and enjoyable college career at Metropolitan State University
of Denver. "They have a really good public transportation system," she
said, adding that she has no qualms about taking a bus or train on her
own. She credited the local chapter of the NFB near Philadelphia, where
she grew up, with helping her to develop that confidence. "They showed
me you have to be independent," she said. The NFB has led the push for
civil rights for the blind, which has helped raise awareness for all
special needs groups, Riccobono said. As traffic drove by on East Market
Street outside the hotel, he gave an example. In 1940, when the
federation was founded, if a car jumped a curb and struck a blind person
on a sidewalk, the blind pedestrian was considered partly culpable,
according to Riccobono. Blind people and others with challenges or
special needs were expected to basically stay out of sight and mind in
those days, he said. Today, through educational efforts and legislation
such as "white cane laws" that require motorists to stop and allow blind
pedestrians to cross the street, things are different, Riccobono said.
"Blind people have the right to be in the world," he said. <A
title=mailto:emark@citizensvoice.com
href="mailto:emark@citizensvoice.com"
target=_blank>emark@citizensvoice.com</A>, <A title=tel:570-821-2117
href="tel:570-821-2117" target=_blank>570-821-2117</A>
<o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><Untitled attachment
00025.txt><o:p></o:p></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<DIV>
<P
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