[NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Wed Jun 9 19:07:40 UTC 2021

I suspect I will not be representative, but I actually find a flat stylus
to be more comfortable than the ones with a bulb-like handle or the
saddle-like handle. My hand also cramps up with the bulb-handle stylus.

I have checked with TSA and the slate and stylus is on their list of
approved materials. I have never had any questions about them.

_don [image: ]

On Wed, Jun 9, 2021 at 11:30 AM Kelsey Nicolay via NFB-Braille-Discussion <
nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hello all,
> I was taught how to use a slate and stylus when I was learning
> braille, but I found that my hand tended to cramp up, so I stopped
> using it. Not sure if it was a technique issue or if I was using the
> wrong type of stylus, but it was not pleasant. However, I am
> interested in trying to learn it again if I can find an instructor to
> work with.
>
> On 6/9/21, Debbie Gabe via NFB-Braille-Discussion
> <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > I have never had any TSA agent question my stylus going through airport
> > security -ever!. TSA agents have found my folding scissors that folded up
> > into a circle. Don't know how they recognized that one. But I always
> have a
> > slate and a couple of styluses in my carry on backpack.
> > Debbie
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org>
> On
> > Behalf Of Steve Jacobson via NFB-Braille-Discussion
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 3:23 AM
> > To: NFB Braille Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at outlook.com>
> > Subject: Re: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus
> >
> > Tony,
> >
> > Regarding labeling, I was not sure if you had tried the labeling options
> > using a slate or not.  In case you haven't, there are one line slates
> > specifically for use on labeling tape, and there are many slates that
> have
> > a
> > little slot at the beginning and end of the second line through which you
> > can thread labeling tape.  If you already know and have tried this, sorry
> > for stating the obvious.
> >
> > Regarding security at airports, I always carry a slate and stylus in my
> > computer bag.  When things were really tense, I did have trouble
> > occasionally, but I have not had any trouble now for years.  Since most
> > slates are metal, they will probably show up on the X-ray scanners, so I
> > usually put mine where it can easily be found in case a question is
> raised.
> > The stylus doesn't seem to raise much of a concern any more in my
> > experience.  Of course, this could vary if an alert level is raised.  I
> > have
> > gotten more questions about my braille display.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > From: kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) <kg6sxy at gmail.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 5:02 AM
> > To: NFB Braille Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at outlook.com>
> > Subject: Re: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus
> >
> > Hello Steve,
> >
> > So far the easiest tool I've found to braille with is a Fiskars Dual Tip
> > Embossing Stylus because of the spongy barrel:
> >
> https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YZ413I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o0
> > 5_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1<
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https
> > %3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com
> %2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000YZ413I%2Fref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_as
> >
> in_title_o05_s00%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf7bc6269494640d196c
> >
> 308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63758829717625805
> >
> 7%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haW
> >
> wiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=PM8fF6ue6%2BEJQhXwOVcT95jpNYYao3aZzn1VvWjt7BI%
> > 3D&reserved=0>
> >
> > I also found these clear label protectors they use for books a lot easier
> > to
> > use than plastic label tape and it appears to hold the embossed braille
> > pretty well:
> >
> https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B081LM97P5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o0
> > 4_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1<
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https
> > %3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com
> %2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB081LM97P5%2Fref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_as
> >
> in_title_o04_s00%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf7bc6269494640d196c
> >
> 308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63758829717626804
> >
> 3%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haW
> >
> wiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YzI3UwOKcMKceZO%2FtFvofJwE4WwNpUiHSV%2FdlSSbFY
> > Y%3D&reserved=0>
> >
> > I've been experimenting with different weights of paper too.  I've never
> > used official Braille Paper. I've tried post-it notes which fade pretty
> > quickly.  I have some light card stock index cards that have been laying
> > around for ages that work pretty well.  Junk mail is always in abundance
> > and
> > a lot of them work well when cut down to pocket size.  I used to use my
> > junk
> > mail for origami.  There's always way too much junk mail.
> >
> > I've seen a few of the ready-made labeling tools but I didn't like the
> > limitations unless you are willing to pay $800 for an electronic one
> with a
> > Perkins keyboard so you can use contracted braille.
> >
> > I've made voice recordings at times but they are not always the most
> > reliable.  I've returned home to find that the recording was
> unintelligible
> > because of the background noise so I feel more comfortable with a
> physical
> > note that I can quickly verify before the information evaporates into the
> > ether.
> >
> > All this experimenting is definitely giving me a lot more practice with a
> > slate and stylus which is great.
> >
> > Has anyone had any trouble getting through TSA with a slate and stylus?
> >
> > Take care,
> > Tony
> >
> > On Jun 8, 2021, at 11:34 PM, Steve Jacobson via NFB-Braille-Discussion
> > <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org<mailto:
> nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
> >> wrote:
> >
> > Tony,
> >
> > It sounds like you are already experimenting with different styli, and
> that
> > is great.  I have a stylus with a broader flatter top that I find useful,
> > but I have no idea where I got it.
> >
> > Another thing that you might find helpful, though, is to use a lighter
> > weight braille paper,  for writing quick notes, the use of the normal
> > weight
> > braille paper isn't that essential.  In a pinch, I have put two sheets of
> > printer paper together to give more weight, but even one sheet of printer
> > paper will hold dots for a while and work fine for temporary notes.  If
> you
> > use printer paper, you may notice that more dots break when embossing
> them,
> > but they are still readable.
> >
> > I would add my concern to that of others regarding sharpening a stylus.
> It
> > can result in more broken dots, but obviously some have tried it and been
> > happy with the results.
> >
> > I have used a slate and stylus a lot in my life but readily admit I use
> it
> > less now.  However, I have found it to be the most reliable and most
> > flexible way to write on labeling tape.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NFB-Braille-Discussion
> > <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:
> nfb-braille-discussion-bou
> > nces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) via
> NFB-Braille-Discussion
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 5:19 PM
> > To:
> > nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org<mailto:
> nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) <kg6sxy at gmail.com<mailto:kg6sxy at gmail.com>>
> > Subject: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I just joined this list today and didn't a little looking through the
> > archives but didn't see anything in the past few months about slate and
> > stylus use.
> >
> > Does anyone still use a slate and stylus that has found a comfortable
> > stylus
> > to use with arthritis or neuropathy?  I'm working on getting my brain to
> > properly flip braille for a slate but I find that the couple of styluses
> I
> > have are hard to use after a line or two.
> >
> > Take care,
> > Tony
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> 2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=XVgO25Jr5R4a0ruNHbPdE
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