[nabs-l] Taking Action to Improve Braille Literacy

[Chris Nusbaum]

I could see a Braille Monitor article being written on this subject, maybe
by you, Justin, as you present some workable and logical solutions to the
problem. Thoughts?

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Salisbury, Justin Mark
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 3:35 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking Action to Improve Braille Literacy

I agree with the points that Arielle made, and I particularly think that we
need to focus on the proper training of Braille teachers at this point in
the game.  I don't think we currently have enough good Braille teachers in
the United States to fulfill the needs of an optimal system.  

I was fortunate enough to grow up in Connecticut, so I was urged to start
learning Braille by my high school and state agency at the beginning of my
junior year, only a few months after I became blind.  I wanted to resist it
at first because no kid likes the idea of more classes that aren't dominated
by the opposite sex or physical activity, but I soon realized that my school
and state agency were right; Braille is important!

I just finished 4 years of college in North Carolina, where I am also
finishing my second term as President of the NC Association of Blind
Students.  I have learned a lot about both states' systems, and I observe a
vast difference in the prioritization of Braille.  There are often trained
Braille teachers in the wealthy and densely-populated school districts in
NC, but students with residual vision are encouraged to depend on what they
have left.  I wouldn't know Braille today if I had grown up in North
Carolina.  In my understanding, students who are not from equipped school
districts who wish to receive Braille instruction are often forced to attend
the residential school for the blind in Raleigh.  Veteran teachers at the
residential school for the blind have told me that it has become the place
for students with multiple disabilities or from impoverished backgrounds
(while anyone who can be mainstreamed is), and they have seen a decrease in
the morale and expectations as this shift has occurred.

I bring up the residential school topic because, if we were able to make the
shift tomorrow to a most efficient system, I believe we would need all of
the students and Braille teachers to be located in centralized hubs.  I
believe attending a residential school should be a choice, but it seems to
currently be a requirement for many students if they want a shot at learning
Braille. 

We need more Braille teachers who are properly trained.  

The Next Step:
To inspire people to enter the field, we need widespread budgetary
allocations for the positions of Braille teachers.  North Carolina Central
University consistently struggles to fill its TVI program because people
aren't applying.

We should all write a book on this topic.

Justin

Justin M. Salisbury
Undergraduate Student
The Honors College
East Carolina University
salisburyj08 at students.ecu.edu

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."    -MARGARET MEAD


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