[nabs-l] Braille Vs Technology: is there room for only one in town?

[Darian Smith]

personally, I find validity and what everybody  has said.
 However I do think it's rather short- sighted to say that  it's more
essential to use one medium over another.  I think the beauty of the
cross-section  of individuals in the NFB and their degree of success
using different alternitive techniques speaks to how it's probably not
the best thing to say that one  particular skill  will make you
successful.  Are there individuals (sighted and blind alike) that may
not know  how to read very well, yet still hold jobs?   Indeed there
are.   Consider for a moment the idea of saying that "Cane users are
leaders".  Like  braille readers, are there successful cane travelers?
 Yes.  That said, are there  people who don't use canes and are just
as successful?  Yes.   So, what then determines success?    Do I think
Braille should be offered as anoption for those who want it? I
absolutely do.   But, I wouldn't want to see it forced or
peer-pressured.  The main thing is, can somebody read? can they
survive?  Can they be successful as they see it?  In much the same way
as I view braille I view the ability to travel; can one get from
point A to point B? can they do so without putting other people around
them in a  position where they feel they have to take care of   the
blind individual?  The end  result I would like is to see  a high
level of education for blind people, and the option for the blind
person to take it.  I won't judge  the blind person who doesn't want
to read braille nor the blind person who wants to(nor am I suggesting
that anybody would ),but what i will do is fight for either to have
the  choice to access  whatever  medium they like.
 Respectfully,
  Darian

On 1/6/10, Liz Bottner <liz.bottner at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm with Jedi and Briley on this issue. Harsh? Perhaps, but it is what it
> is.
>
> Liz
>
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> liz.bottner at gmail.com
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> http://unsilenceddream.livejournal.com
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