Although I was blind from before school, my mother had taught me the sighted alphabet and I knew it before I went to school. So in High School I heard of the Optacon and managed to use it, although I wasn't one of the elect to have been offered lessons. To this day using it is as vital to my independence as my guide-dog is. So if it can be preserved and/or any other beneficial device developed as a result of it, someone else may also have wings to fly in their own way. Kind regards Susan -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Wilna Turnbull Sent: 02 December 2009 11:29 AM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Use It is our duty to preserve the Optacon not only for selfish reasons such as maintenance of current appliance, but it is also our responsibility to prevent the skill of using an Optacon to die. Isn't it time to consider promoting the Optacon? What about persons losing their sight later in life? Regards Wilna -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Catherine Thomas Sent: 01 December 2009 11:41 AM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Optacon Use Dianne, Many of us are still opening new doors and blazing trails with the Optacon. The novelty still exists too. If we plan for the Optacon to have a future and to be available to another generation, it's important to focus on the present--what the Optacon does now and how we can make it do more. Over these years as we worked to preserve existing Optacons, we have recognized that the Optacon is more than just a specific device. The concept of reading actual print in real time whether it is on paper, on an appliance surface, or on a wall plaque is something that blind people can't afford to lose even if only a relatively small number of persons would give it the time and patience to become active users. Some of our surveys have come in with individuals using the Optacon for one or two tasks only. Whether we use the Optacon a little or a lot it's the existence of this choice that is important. Catherine ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ -Catherine Thomas braille@xxxxxxxxx / ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Please Note: This email and its contents are subject to our email legal notice which can be viewed at http://www.sars.gov.za/Email_Disclaimer.pdf to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. ********************************************************************** This email and all content are subject to the following disclaimer: http://content.momentum.co.za/content/legal/disclaimer_email.htm ********************************************************************** to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject.