[nabs-l] question about braille

Thu Jul 31 02:51:11 UTC 2014

Hi, RJ and all,

I really like the points Lillie and Jonathan have pointed out, as they
are more along the lines as of what I would say as well.  Like
Jonathan, I hated braille when I first started learning it.  I was a
kid who had been taught to read print for two years, and although I
knew it was significantly harder for me to read than my it was for my
classmates, I figured at least I didn't look different.  I kicked and
screamed my way through learning the braille code, and about a year
after that I stopped fighting my TVIs and realized that I liked to
read.  Braille is not the devider between us and those who can read
print, it is the equalizer.  This is becoming even more true with the
signing of the Marakesh Treaty last year, and more and more
information becoming available in electronic braille.

Some others have made great points about braille and technology as
well.  Sure, you could use an IPAD and dictate everything, and use a
computer, but your spelling would be terrible.  I don't know about you
all, but I have enough problems with spelling as a braille-literate
person who just types slower than she thinks without throwing
illiteracy into the problem.  I wouldn't necessarily say it is easier
to edit with a braille display than it is to edit using a computer and
screenreader because myself and other people I know are proficient
editors in both mediums and it boils down to personal preference, but
if you don't know braille you are exposed to proper spelling and
grammar less frequently than your peers, and are therefore likely to
not catch errors at all.  You also are in a very bleak situation when
your IPad breaks, or when your scribe is sick and can't write for you;
not to mention the job prospects are a lot worse since you do not have
basic literacy skills.  For many blind people, braille literacy is the
thing which helps them earn a job since they have that other tool in
their arsenal.  Plus, without braille you can't even take full
advantage of the technology including BrailleNote and BrailleSense
notetakers, braille displays which can be connected to
computers/tablets and smart phones, and labels on equipment your
employer might put on to help you complete tasks.  You are also unable
to learn other codes for music, mathematics, advanced scientific
notation, etc.  Additionally, you lose the capability to just read a
book if you want to.  I have to say that I always have my notetaker
packed with books whenever I'm on a long car or bus trip simply
because bringing it along gives me something to do.  I can read in the
car like my sighted siblings do with their books and magazines, while
carrying on conversations or listening to the radio because I don't
have earbuds in my ears.

Ultimately, a sighted person makes use of literacy and technology, so
why shouldn't a blind person?  Sighted people clearly need both
skills, and we do too in order to live independent lives.  That is all
the reason I would need.  Hope this helps.

On 7/30/14, RJ Sandefur via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/matt.dierckens%40me.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dmanners%40jd16.law.harvard.edu
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/franks.jonathan13%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> 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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/joltingjacksandefur%40gmail.com
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarinet104%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Kaiti