[Mdpobc] more info for Question of the day

Wed Nov 13 23:02:24 UTC 2013

My son is a little older than Jason, Susan's son, and is already in his 3rd year of college.  So I just wanted to add on to what Susan said.  I do agree with all she said.
It's important that kids learn how to use a Victor reader or stream and how to learn through audio books.  However, technology is moving so fast and becomes obsolete so fast, that looking back on my experience with my own son, I would not have him spend time using a Victor.  I would advise any older blind teenager to not spend their own money on a Victor but rather to put that money towards an iphone5 and learn how to use an iphone5 really well.  In this way, they can start college being able to facebook, email, skype, and text, which are all critical skills for any type of social interaction at college.  And equally important, with an iphone you can upload books and textbooks instantanously from Learning Ally or Amazon or wherever.  The Victor was wonderful a few years ago; my advice is move forward and get your teenager an iphone and make sure they learn how to use every feature and app.
Jill

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: SUSAN POLANSKY 
  To: Maryland Parents of Blind Children List 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 5:05 PM
  Subject: Re: [Mdpobc] Question of the day

  Trudy

  I don't have much to add as Karen, Wendy and Jill have very effectively expressed my thoughts. Jason had all Braille through Middle School although in resource time with his TBVI's they did work on learning the Victor reader and Stream. Books for the Reader and Stream were not school books, they were for pleasure reading and learning to use the technology. I was told by Jason's TBVI's that since in advanced grades and college some books will be audio the students need to be proficient in learning by listening. Technology is changing so much of that. Jason does some audio but tends to blue tooth his Braille Note to computer or iPod [what ever the book is on, he has not used the Stream or Reader for years] and reads using the refreshable Braille. 

  Susan 

  From: Trudy Pickrel <tlpickrel at hotmail.com>
  To: Maryland Parents of Blind Children List <mdpobc at nfbnet.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 3:48 PM
  Subject: Re: [Mdpobc] Question of the day

  They said there were some that used Audio books

  Trudy Pickrel 
  President Md Parent Blind Children. 
  301-501-1818
  http://www.tlcbythelake.com/

  On Nov 13, 2013, at 3:45 PM, Wendy Nusbaum <wendynusbaum at yahoo.com> wrote:

    Trudy
    I thought of one more thing. If they want reading to be "enjoyable" does that mean for everyone?  Are the print readers getting to use audio books if they don't like to read print?

    Wendy 

    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

    Trudy Pickrel <tlpickrel at hotmail.com> wrote:

    Thank you all. Wonderful words to take to IEP next week. Ahhhh. Hate that it always feels  like me against them

    Wendy. 
    Love that. If not proficient in Braille he is basically illiterate and they will be responsible for that.

    Wendy

    Trudy Pickrel 
    President Md Parent Blind Children. 
    301-501-1818
    http://www.tlcbythelake.com/

    On Nov 13, 2013, at 1:33 PM, Wendy Nusbaum <wendynusbaum at yahoo.com> wrote:

      Trudy
      I agree with Karen. Our kids have to be proficient in Braille before audio books become the standard. 

      With that said now that Chris is in HS he is working from one audio textbook. Mainly because the edition he needed was not available in Braille. I did not fight this because I have been told by college students that they wished they had done more audio learning in HS since many of their textbooks had not been available in Braille.  

      Basically they have to be good at both but Braille should come first.  Tell them if he is not proficient in Braille he is basically illiterate and they will be responsible for that.

      Wendy 

      Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

      Karen Frech Herstein <hersteink at hotmail.com> wrote:

      Hi Trudy, 
      I would want my child to be fast and proficient with Braille before I would let him/her use adible books. I would want my sighted child to be proficient in reading print before he/she used adible books. My daughter "loves" to read books and she did not use adible books unless Braille was not available. Braille wasavailable almost all the time.
      Good Luck!
      Karen Herstein

      > From: tlpickrel at hotmail.com
      > Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 12:48:00 -0500
      > To: mdpobc at nfbnet.org
      > Subject: [Mdpobc] Question of the day
      > 
      > So last night at parent teacher conference I find out that they have been allowing our son in six grade to do all audiobooks. Reason why I don't know. The language arts teacher said will you please consider allowing him to do this after I stated that this was concerning to me. Because he says he wants reading to be enjoyable. Excepting all thoughts on this. 
      > 
      > Mine is No. Must have Braille under fingers. If their concern is slowness and enjoyment the only way to get that is with repetition. 
      > 
      > What is your thoughts
      > 
      > Trudy Pickrel
      > President Md Parent Blind Children. 
      > 301-501-1818
      > http://www.tlcbythelake.com/
      > 
      > 
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