[Mdpobc] more info for Question of the day

Mon Nov 18 16:54:10 UTC 2013

Sorry, I'm coming into this discussion a little late! I just want to add
that, along with the iPhone, getting a Braille display of some type is
crucial for Braille readers. This allows access to books from bookshare and
other places in Braille instantly. In addition, students can read email,
text messages, web pages, and so on in Braille, and can also use the display
to write texts, Facebook posts, Tweets, emails, etc. The display also makes
navigating the phone easier in my opinion. Also, even younger students can
become familiar with an iPod and Braille display if you do not want them to
have a cell phone yet. Most things can be accomplished with an iPod that can
be done with an iPhone. Finally, some books will still only be available as
audio files. This includes audio hooks produced by the National Library
Service, and, I believe, books produced by Learning Ally. Still, Braille is
crucial, and personally, I don't know what I would do without my Braille
display along with my iPhone.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: Mdpobc [mailto:mdpobc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kyle Richmond
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 6:02 PM
To: SUSAN POLANSKY; Maryland Parents of Blind Children List
Subject: Re: [Mdpobc] more info for Question of the day

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 <mailto:sepolansky at verizon.net>  
	To: Maryland Parents of Blind Children List
<mailto:mdpobc at nfbnet.org>  
	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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