[nabs-l] working with the public

[humberto]

Hi ashley.
No, I don't think there are any other portable scanners out there 
but the KNFB reader and there is also an iPhone application that 
can scan and read out loud as well.  Check out 
freedomScientific's web page at www.hj.com, I belichre there is 
another portable solution, like a camera that can scan print 
pages as well.  You can also check out some of the other devices 
like the docuscan scanner or something (I'm not sure what the 
other ones are called) but just google around and you will find 
things.  Keep options opened.

> ----- Original Message -----
>From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net
>To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>Date sent: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:39:29 -0400
>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] working with the public

>Hi,
>Thanks.  Labeling in braille sounds like a good idea.  But I'm 
dealing with
>bulk stuff likely.
>Like lots of the same brochure or copies of letters.  Maybe I 
should lable
>the file or folder or whatever the papers are in.
>I also have some vision; so may be able to color code things or 
remember
>what a certain paper is colored if its on colored paper.
>I do not have a Knfb reader.
>Are there portable scanners out there that don't require a 
computer? I mean
>stand alone devices that are small and portable that you could 
carry with
>you from work station to station to some extent.
>That might be a good device to have as well.

>Ashley

>-----Original Message-----
>From: humberto
>Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 11:26 PM
>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] working with the public

>Hello ashley.
>You asked really good questions.  Let me give you some innovative
>answers to some of your questions.  First, in dealing with any
>paperwork, yes, you can label things in Braille, but also, if you
>can afford, you can purchase the KNFB reader which I don't have
>myself, but I've seen it and it is a great thing to have
>regarding print access and when new paperwork comes in to your
>desk, just snap pictures of the print pages and the KNFB reader
>will read out loud to you.  Then you can label your print pages
>accordingly.
>Also, regarding the asking for directions, you might stick with
>an accessible GPS device or software, such as the Sendero GPS for
>the BrailleNote and StreetTalk for the pacmate.  I've also heard
>that there are some accessible GPS with the iPhone and the
>android phones.  (I'm not sure, but I heard the Sendero also has
>an iPhone app for their product?) Please correct me if I'm wrong.
>Anyways, you can just get your notetaker up and running and start
>the application, and when you ask for directions all you have to
>do is get the information off your accessible GPS then you can
>either transfer that information to a printer (print it) or
>verbally try to explain everything that's going on your device
>just like a regular sighted person would do -- remember you want
>to be as normal and as equal as everyone else -- just do this and
>people will come back to you with more questions.
>Regarding people coming to your desk, for instance, people might,
>mostly, say "Excuse me," but not every person does this so please
>ask additional questions as they come to either us or your agency
>you are volunteering for.  Hope this helped you.

>> ----- Original Message -----
>>From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net
>>To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
><nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>Date sent: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:34:16 -0400
>>Subject: [nabs-l] working with the public

>>Hi all,
>>I’m really hoping to volunteer and work with the public at 
a
>county park or the national park or possibly a museum.  I want to
>build some experience and do outreach activities; I like to help
>people.

>>Have you worked directly with the public? If so, how was it?
>>What challenges did you encounter?  Did you supply accomodations
>or did the agency you “worked"” for supply them?
>>How do you handle the information desk where people just come up
>and ask questions?
>>They probably will not know I’m blind and with my tunnel 
vision
>I may not see who is there.

>>So did you figure out techniques to know people were coming up to
>you?  Any cues you listened for?  I figured that most will just
>speak right when they come up to the desk; after all they want
>information!  But in case they don’t, I’d like to 
be able to
>greet them.

>>I’ll probably work with another staff member or volunteer 
at
>first while training; but I want them to have confidence in me I
>can handle it on my own.
>>How do you handle papers that they fill out or you have to
>desiminate?  What I mean is they might have to sign in or
>something.  I might be required to answer questions and hand out
>brochures, pamphlets, or other matterial.  How can I ensure I am
>giving out the right information?

>>Maybe I should just label the stack in braille? What about
>identifying people?  Do I just ask and take their word for it?  I
>doubt they will need to track who comes up to the counter and
>asks this or that.
>>But just in case, I’m wondering.  If I work at the 
visitors’
>center or museums they will already have gone through security so
>that isn’t an issue
>>What do I do about looking up information?  A sighted person may
>skim through a book or something.
>>Do I try and get that in accessible format and do it
>electronically?  What about giving directions?  Often visitors
>ask this.
>>I cannot see a map.  So do I just verbalize directions and hand
>them a map?  A sighted person would probably point to a map while
>explaining; that is what I’ve seen happen in public 
settings
>with my parents.

>>Thanks for any ideas.
>>Ashley
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