[nabs-l] Braille Under Siege As Blind Turn To Smartphones

[Nicole B. Torcolini at Home]

When you talk about reading hard copy Braille, do you mean once in a while 
or having all/most of your books in hard copy Braille?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 7:36 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Braille Under Siege As Blind Turn To Smartphones


> Hi,
> I think we have to keep up our skills. Like Anjelina, I label in braille; 
> I write notes and appointment times in the braille Note.
> I read hard copy braille regularly too; but not as much as I should. I 
> think we need to keep reading regular hard copy braille to keep our skills 
> up. Reading with two hands and sliding to the next line on a page is 
> different than reading a linear braille display.
> We have to balance technology and braille skills. If we don't, we are 
> settling for second class citizenship and a substandard rate of literacy. 
> Technology can break down and it has limitations. So get out a big braille 
> book or your perkins braille and read/write braille.
>
> So how do I keep real braille skills up? I read the NFB viligant in 
> braille. I've read novels in braille too.
> I make a point to write braille for organization. I like seeing a list of 
> things; its just easier to organize; I list things to buy or things to get 
> done that day. I might write a poem or short reflection in braille. 
> Because I have space limitations, I don't write much hard copy braille. I 
> will write a page or two at  a time. Longer writing I do on the braille 
> note. So, in summary I find small ways like list items, reading 
> newsletters, short stories poems, and small reflections to keep up my 
> braille. I could still improve though. Periodically, I read out loud. I 
> encourage all to do so because its useful to have for reading speeches or 
> other writing to groups. You improve reading fluency with practice.
>
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Anjelina
> Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 9:49 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nabs-l] Braille Under Siege As Blind Turn To Smartphones
>
> Good evening fellow students,
> What are your thoughts about this NPR article?
> Since technology is such a large part of our daily lives, especially as 
> students, how do you keep up with your Braille skills?
> Besides using my BrailleNote for taking notes/reading, labeling items  and 
> the occasional Braille leisure novel, I don’t have as much access to 
> Braille as I’d prefer.
> http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/02/13/146812288/braille-under-siege-as-blind-turn-to-smartphones
> Anjelina
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