RE: Searching for blind programmer to start a school for blind programmers
- From: "Ken Perry" <whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 18:54:07 -0400
I want to put this out here because I work for APH. I actually work in the
Education research department even though I am a programmer. This stuff you
guys are talking about is actually part of APH's mission in that making
educational products that do not exist is what they /we are here for. I
think part of the problem is no one has wrote it up as a need / product. I
have told them some of the things I would like to do but my wants are low on
the list but if let's say some of you went to the APH web page and made a
product suggestion of things like accessible xcode coding environment. It
would get our higher up's in talks with Apples higher ups and we the little
programmers would be called in to do the talking. We have already made
large changes to how Apples Braille works because we have roads into the
company and they do listen. The same goes for Programs to teach coding or
accessibility in coding. So it might be nice if some of you have product
ideas to go put them in. Remember a product doesn't have to be something
like an actual device. It can be a teaching tool for example we make one of
the only tactile Chemistry boards that show all the atomic weights even
though we are having to change it because of the new changes to atomic
weights. We also make things like physical education tools and syllabuses.
I am betting if there was enough people writing in about needing accessible
tools for programming there would be more drive for us to write things in
the office.
Ken
-----Original Message-----
From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of RicksPlace
Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2011 1:01 PM
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Searching for blind programmer to start a school for blind
programmers
Hi Andreas:
Since you are at Washington State School for the Blind you would seemingly
be in a position to make some real world comments on this thread.
First: I really discount the process of setting up an Acreddited University
level program without some massive resources.
Second, It would seem that a formal education is the best method for
learning to become a Professional Computer Programmer at any level.
That said, I see where there is a real need for a central repository where
students can find out about accessibility tools, techniques and resources.
In addition a central location where they can go to find Professional
Mentoring, Tutors and a list like this where they can ask and answer
questions in general.
In other words, a place where a new student taking their first class in
Programming can be sent to where they can ask initial questions, find
tutoring for particular Programming Related issues and find Experts in their
particular fields for mentoring.
Most Universities have Accessibility Representitives but the University
itself may not have the experienced blind individuals to provide this level
of help.
Combined, they, and us, would provide a massive amount of support to blind
students but so far as I know nobody has ever attempted to coordinate such a
centralized repository of tallent, resources and help for blind students.
Being at a specialized University for the Blind you might be in a position
to consider the potential process, difficulties and benefits of such a
program.
That said, it is what, in my opinion, would provide the biggest bang for the
buck as a NationWide project.
Have you heard of anyone working on something like this?
Get the right people and Universities involved in it and it could be a game
changer for Blind folks at Universities around the country.
Rick USA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andreas Stefik" <stefika@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Jamal Mazrui" <empower@xxxxxxxxx>; "Bill Cox" <waywardgeek@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2011 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: Searching for blind programmer to start a school for blind
programmers
> Looks like I'm coming late to this thread, and I'll admit I haven't
> read everyone's comments yet (I've been swamped submitting papers and
> with teaching duties).
>
> We would certainly be willing to let any such effort use any and all
> of our tools, or to advise bill or others in whatever way folks found
> helpful.
>
> Just in case people don't know as well, my lab has begun teaching
> programming at the Washington State School for the Blind this
> semester, using Sodbeans/Hop, etc, and teachers are writing to us that
> things are going great. So I'm personally highly encouraged that
> others want to get more blind folks involved in computer science
> education.
>
> Anyway, for what it's worth (maybe nothing), that's my two cents,
>
> Stefik
>
> P.S. If anyone cares, Sodbeans 2.0 is coming out in July. Linux
> support, a rewrite of our text-to-speech engine that will now also be
> available separately on sourceforge outside of Sodbeans for others to
> use, lots of little audio hints to turn those visual features into
> aural features, new changes to Hop which our studies are showing makes
> it easy to understand,new Hop language features like exceptions, a new
> auditory tutorial system that teaches how to use Sodbeans and
> programming, and a gadzooks of bug fixes. Anyway, lots of fun stuff
> happening.
>
> On Sat, Apr 9, 2011 at 7:19 AM, Jamal Mazrui <empower@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Andreas may also have some interesting perspective on this given his work
>> in
>> developing teaching tools and curriculum for programmers at schools for
>> the
>> blind.
>>
>> Jamal
>>
>> __________
>> View the list's information and change your settings at
>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>
>>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
__________
View the list's information and change your settings at
//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
__________
View the list's information and change your settings at
//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
Other related posts:
