[blindkid] My Technology Journey

Marianne Denning marianne at denningweb.com
Mon Sep 21 19:11:02 UTC 2015


I will really date myself.  I had an OPTACON (optical to print tactil
converter) and wish there were still something like it out there.  It
used a camera that I ran across a page of print and each letter was
converted into a tactile image I could feel.  I love all of the
technology and have a long list of items but there are times when
nothing but the OPTACON will do what I need to do.

On 9/14/15, Jamie Allison via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> This is going to date me. I started first grade in 1979. I used a mixture of
> large and regular print, combined with a handful of dome magnifiers,
> monoculars, and other low-vision devices through school and college. After
> several years in a career with a taxing array of reading and writing tasks,
> along with some further decrease in visual acuity that was not expected, I
> realized that something was going to have to change. I had already learned
> Braille as a part of a TVI certification, so I started actually using it,
> along with JAWS for the computer. The first "real" piece of access
> technology I had was a Braille N Speak, which was cutting edge in its day.
> All of the students and staff that had one assigned to them thought they
> were the bee's knees! Compared to what's available today, it now seems so
> basic. I used a PAC mate with a 20 cell display through getting my masters
> degree. I've also been an iPhone user for five years or so and have several
> iOS devices that serve various purposes for me. I also have a bluetooth RBD
> and a BrailleNote Apex, which is used daily. I also have a Windows PC and
> the old display from the Pac Mate is now attached to it along with a home
> user version of JAWS. I also have a second generation Victor Stream, but
> used the NLS digital player before that. Today, there are many more choices
> for technology devices than there were in years' past. I tend to choose
> which one I use depending on what the task calls for.  Jamie Allison
> National Federation of the Blind - Cherokee Chapter President
> Lead Instructor, NFB BELL in SC
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back. To make a donation to the National
> Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund campaign, please
> visit www.nfb.org/ImaginingOurFuture.
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053




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