[Rehab] Helping My Student Learn Hebrew Braille

Wed Feb 17 21:03:50 UTC 2021

Hi Lucy,

Your response is very thoughtful, and I definitely appreciate it. It appears that he and I were not doing a good enough job of articulating where he is in his learning process. Let me try that again.

He went to Hebrew school for 12 years and knows the language well, though he hasn’t used it much in a while. In his view, all he needs are the braille symbols in order to represent a language that he already knows but seldom uses now that he’s blind.

Over the past year, I have taught him the full UEB code and have him reading at about 10 to 20 words per minute. I want to support him in using braille for as many things as possible to help build his speed.

Do you have any good resources in mind?

Thanks so much!

Justin

Sent from my iPhone

Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury

Mobile: 808.797.8606
Email: 808salisbury at gmail.com<mailto:808salisbury at gmail.com>
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Salisbury
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-salisbury

On Feb 17, 2021, at 2:19 PM, Mallahan, Lucy, CFB <Lucy.Mallahan at state.nm.us<mailto:Lucy.Mallahan at state.nm.us>> wrote:

Hi, Justin,

It sounds like he is wanting to learn Hebrew, the language itself. Maybe suggest that he take a class in Hebrew. One was offered at the college I attended, but Hebrew is not a common offering. He might have better luck contacting a seminary or a JCC, Jewish Community center.  It seems like the JCC in Nashville offered classes in Hebrew, but that was a long time ago. I am not sure of what might be available now. He could request the course materials in braille. He would need to learn the braille symbols to match the print symbols, but he would be learning Hebrew from the beginning. He is just using braille to represent the print. Once he has learned Hebrew along with Hebrew braille, he should be able to read more of what he wants to read. Already being familiar with the language will help him as he learns to represent characters in a different format, and learning a language from the beginning will expose him to the foundation of the language starting with the characters used for reading and writing. I am not sure, but it seems like some of the notetakers would have Hebrew capabilities, which could help as he needs to backtranslate for a professor or teacher to check work. I also know that there are Judaism meetings on the National Convention agenda. Maybe someone from one of those meetings could be helpful in identifying resources. I am glad to hear that he is interested in learning more Hebrew. Best of luck to you both.

All the best,
Lucy

From: Justin Salisbury [mailto:PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 11:49 AM
To: Mallahan, Lucy, CFB <Lucy.Mallahan at state.nm.us<mailto:Lucy.Mallahan at state.nm.us>>
Cc: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List <rehab at nfbnet.org<mailto:rehab at nfbnet.org>>
Subject: [EXT] Re: Helping My Student Learn Hebrew Braille

Hi Lucy,

I sent him your question, to which he replied:

I know how to read Hebrew in print. I am not fluent in speaking or reading but could figure it out a little bit.
Sent from my iPhone

Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury

Mobile: 808.797.8606
Email: 808salisbury at gmail.com<mailto:808salisbury at gmail.com>
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Salisbury
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-salisbury

On Feb 17, 2021, at 12:12 PM, Mallahan, Lucy, CFB <Lucy.Mallahan at state.nm.us<mailto:Lucy.Mallahan at state.nm.us>> wrote:
Hi, Justin,

Does your student read Hebrew? Or, rather, did your student read Hebrew in print? Does your student know the Hebrew language, i.e. how to spell words and construct sentences?

Thanks,
Lucy

From: Rehab [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin Salisbury via Rehab
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 9:46 AM
To: rehab at nfbnet.org<mailto:rehab at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Justin Salisbury <PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu<mailto:PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu>>
Subject: [EXT] [Rehab] Helping My Student Learn Hebrew Braille

Hi everyone,

I have a braille student who is Jewish and wants to learn to read Hebrew braille. He is a bright guy and has an authentic desire to be able to read his religious texts in braille now that he is blind. I have no doubts about his ability, but I want to ask here for ideas on how to help him best. As a braille teacher, I never want him to go without braille reading opportunities.

He has already reached out to the Jewish Braille Institute and Jewish Heritage for the Blind. From what I can tell, he has been asking around for some kinds of resources in English braille (UEB or old-school English Literary Braille) that help teach Hebrew braille. He has not found something that suits his needs yet.

Does anyone here have ideas or experiences with this?

Thank you,

Justin

Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury
he/him/his

Phone: 808.797.8606
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu%3cmailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>>
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-salisbury
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Salisbury

"Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore."

Cesar Chavez

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