[il-talk] Fw: Braille is Still a Useful Tool

[Lin H.]

Braille is Still a Useful Tool

From: Second Sense 
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 4:59 PM
To: Linda Hendle 
Subject: Braille is Still a Useful Tool

Read how Jim and Ron use braille in their daily lives 
                             
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                                Thank you for making August 
                                a month full of training to help our 
                                clients move beyond vision loss. 
                             
                       
                              Jim and Ron Use Braille Every Day  
                       
                 
           
                                
                       
                              "My primary reason to learn braille was to label things around the house," Jim explains. "My vision has decreased and I am finding it harder to use a magnifier. I want to label my medicine, things around my kitchen. I started with marking the salt and pepper -- so I don't have to guess anymore!"

                              Polly Abbott, our Director of Services, is working with Jim and Ron to teach them how to read and write the braille alphabet. While technology can offer convenience, braille is still a useful tool for many of our clients.

                              "We just replaced some of the appliances in our kitchen," Ron shared. "I was able to find a microwave with raised numbers, but everything else is a flat panel. I labeled the important buttons, like Start, with braille so I can easily find them."

                              Many of our clients use braille for similar tasks. Both Jim and Ron use the braille that is on every elevator panel to find the right floor button. They also both use the braille that is on room number signs. Ron at the nursing home when he visits his mother. And, Jim when he volunteers at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park.

                              Independence is a key goal for almost every client. Braille is one of the tools they can use to decrease their dependence upon others -- whether it be family, friends, or strangers.

                              Now that Jim has learned the alphabet and the technique to read braille, he is planning to continue with a self-study course. Though Jim came to Second Sense with the simple goal to label items around his house, he now wants to learn to be a braille reader.  He feels confident that he will be able to continue his ministry for hospital patients and their families -- an important part of his life he thought he was going to have to give up.  
                       
                             
                       
                              One Class, Many Goals  
                       
                                
                              Five of the students in our fall computer class:  Robert, Curtis, John, Barbara and Derrick.  
                       
                              Our fall computer classes have just begun.  Nine students are eager to learn.

                              Students in our morning class are learning to use screen-reading software.  These programs read everything that sighted people see on their screen.  Our students won't even need monitors.

                              Learning to use speech programs requires good keyboarding skills and good listening skills. Curtis and Joclyn have practiced their keyboarding all summer to prepare for class.  David, our instructor, focuses the first two lessons on listening skills and using voice recorders.  These steps will ensure that all our students can keep up in class.

                              All of the students have their own reasons for attending class:

                              Robert is losing more vision as he ages.  He learned to use a screen-magnification program, but now needs to learn speech.  He is getting the training now to qualify for employment at a call center.

                              Curtis is retired.  He worked in the child support division for the state. He believes it is important to keep learning new skills.  Curtis plans to use his computer skills to help out at his church and to do volunteer advocacy work for people with disabilities.

                              John worked in the corporate world before his vision loss.  He is receiving encouragement from former colleagues to return to work and has been asked to consider several opportunities. John also worked in the stock market and wants to get back to managing his personal portfolio.

                              No matter the reason or the goal -- you are giving them the skills they need to get on with life.  
                       
                             
                       
                              Donate Now -- Help Clients Reach Their Goals  
                       
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