[nabop] Is braille overrated?

[Smith, Pauline L]

I concur with the previous comments.  The reliance on technology mirrors the trend in the overall world.  Even people with vision are more reliant on tech--using their phones, tablets, etc. to perform simple tasks and relying on spellcheck to proffread written materials.

There also seems to be a trend toward discouraging the production of Braille materials.  For example, when I signed up for paratransit in the community where I attended college, someone called and asked if I would accept recorded rider instructions although Braille was a choice for alternate media on the application.  I have had other examples of this kind of thing over the years.  One consequence of this thendency is although I am a Braille teacher, I talk the talk rather than walk the walk.  This is not good.  I prefer getting as much Braille material as possible.

Pauline Smith, TVI
Braille Instructor


-----Original Message-----
From: NABOP [mailto:nabop-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Valdez, Danielle, CFB via NABOP
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 1:21 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Office Professionals'
Cc: Valdez, Danielle, CFB
Subject: Re: [nabop] Is braille overrated?

I completely agree with you. While technological advances give those of us who are blind/visually impaired access and assistance we might not have had before, they are also causing a decrease in literacy. Blind children are learning to rely on technology, text to speak, spell check, etc. but are never actually gaining literacy skills. It is evident in my dealings with people who are blind or VI if they read braille or not. You can tell by how they write/spell, their use of words, etcetera. If the blind community continues to believe "braille is overrated," they are not going to have consistent, stable and competitive employment because the jobs are going to go to those who can properly write and spell. I am enamored with braille and get frustrated at that 'braille's not necessary' mentality. 

All the best,
~Danielle

-----Original Message-----
From: NABOP [mailto:nabop-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of roanna bacchus via NABOP
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 11:12 AM
To: nabop at nfbnet.org
Cc: roanna bacchus
Subject: [nabop] Is braille overrated?

Dear Members,

I hope all of you are doing well.  Yesterday my Dad met a blind student while he was at work.  He told my Dad that braille is overrated.  This student did use braille a little bit when he was in the public school system.  I believe that all blind children should learn to read and write braille.  What are your thoughts on this? Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Roanna Bacchus

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