[nabs-l] question about braille

Thu Jul 31 01:27:59 UTC 2014

My Friend can use her cane, but when I mention braille, she tells me she 
doesn't need it. RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jonathan franks via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
To: "Darian Smith" <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>; "National Association of Blind 
Students mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] question about braille


> To be honest at first I hated Braille.
>
> Then one day something clicked in my head and I realized that Braille
> is an essential tool I will need to use for the rest of my life.
>
> Those who cannot read print need to utilize braille as a reading
> medium so they can keep up with their sighted counterpart in a
> literacy sense. It not only comes in handy with reading books, you can
> also label your things such as DVD’s and food.
>
> Braille has also come in handy for me while I am at my College. I use
> it to be able to find my classrooms and read other building signs.
>
> My philosophy is that if you can learn braille, you should. Technology
> is a great tool, but technology is not always going to work and you do
> not need batteries or a charger to be able to read braille.
>
>
>
> On 7/30/14, Darian Smith via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> RJ and all:
>>
>>  I think that Braille is a very important tool for someone who is blind 
>> (no
>> matter what  visual acuity).
>>  It is essential if you don’t have access to the printed word, but even 
>> if
>> you do, it allows you the flexibility to operate in a more efficient 
>> manner
>> than  just simply having access to print or braille by it’s self.
>>
>>  Something that often gets lost in discussions of independence and the 
>> tools
>> you need is the  Importance of the use  of the Long White cane.
>>   Now  granted  there are quite a few different types of canes and the 
>> one
>> you end up using ultimately comes  down to personal  preference,  but in 
>> my
>> view we would be remiss  if we only mentioned braille and not  mention 
>> cane
>> use.
>>  both tools  are ways to  go about living the life you want, and being 
>> armed
>> with these tools  as soon as you can get them can only serve to benefit a
>> person.
>>   So, while this was a question about braille, I don’t know if it can 
>> only
>> be a question  of braille by it’s self because both the ability to be
>> literate and be mobile  are essential to the blind  as much as it is our
>> sighted peers.
>>    respectfully,
>>   Darian
>> On Jul 30, 2014, at 10:48 AM, Manners, Derek via nabs-l 
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Part of the drawback of being visually impaired or blind is that a lot 
>>> of
>>> things in the world are geared toward those with site.  Like any other
>>> tool
>>> in the blind toolkit, braille is a workaround for a number of issues 
>>> that
>>> we all face or have the potential to face.  It can alert you that you 
>>> are
>>> about to enter the wrong gendered restroom or the wrong room number. it
>>> can
>>> let you enjoy the sensation of reading a paper book instead of having to
>>> have someone read it to you. It can allow you to send hand-written notes
>>> to
>>> those who would appreciate a personal touch. In general, it can help you
>>> maintain your independence and individualism despite the loss of site.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 1:31 PM, Matthew Dierckens via nabs-l <
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> You need to learn how to spell. A speech synthesizer can't teach 
>>>> someone
>>>> how to spell per say.
>>>> Also, if you get tired of hearing synthetic speech all day you can use
>>>> braille.
>>>>
>>>> Matthew Dierckens
>>>> Macintosh Trainer
>>>> Blind Access Training
>>>> www.blindaccesstraining.com
>>>> 1-877-774-7670, extension 3
>>>> matthew at blindaccesstraining.com
>>>> Introduction to the Macintosh Operating system and voiceover course
>>>> available now. Spots are limited, sign up here
>>>> http://blindaccesstraining.com/training-courses/
>>>>
>>>> On Jul 30, 2014, at 13:29, RJ Sandefur via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> How has Braille impacted your life, and do you believe your life would
>>>> be different had you not learned Braille? If you were talking with a
>>>> person
>>>> who is going blind, and they asked you, "Why do I need to learn
>>>> Braille?"
>>>> What would you say to  them? RJ Sandefur, Doctor of theology,
>>>> Andersonville
>>>> theological seminary
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>>
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>
>
> -- 
> Jonathan Franks
> Austin Chapter Board Member
> National Federation of the Blind
> www.nfbaustin.org
>
> Hook the Cure Board Member
> Social Media Manager
> The University of Texas at Austin
> www.texashookthecure.weebly.co
>
> Diabetes Action Network (NFB)
> National Board Member
>
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