[access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? - News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent

  • From: "Angel" <angel238@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 22 May 2014 16:10:53 -0400

When my daughter was four years old, (this is in the United States) I discovered she had to be able to read and to write her name by the time she began her formal schooling. This was also thirty-seven years ago too. As I was unable to teach her to print her name, nor was I able to teach to her her colors, I sent her to preschool to learn those things. Also, by the way, she is sighted. Then, I ask, why shouldn't a blind child have to be able to read and to write his name in Braille by the time he is five years old. Though in fairness, we learned to do these things when we were in first grade. But, it begins at that early level. That we blind people just aren't expected to learn at the same level as our sighted counterparts, and continues throughout life. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eleanor Martha Burke" <eleanormarthaburke@xxxxxxxxx> 

To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2014 10:47 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? - News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent 



Aren't they Norman?  I know where I went to school 4 year olds were
introduced to it.

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Norman Waddington
Sent: 22 May 2014 15:41
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? -
News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent

Clive,

Sighted kids usually are introduced to letters at say 4 years of age.  Why
should a blind child not be introduced to grade 1 Braille at the same age?

Norman.


-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Clive.Lever@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 22 May 2014 14:48
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? -
News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent

Hello Norman,
I remember studying at Enbridge Place, whilst my brother, 20 years younger was at primary school age. I rang the headmistress to arrange to visit him 
at a weekend. I asked whether I could bring something to help with his
learning, such as a Braille book, as I was passing the RNIB shop en route. 
She was horrified: "Braille? You don't teach a blind child of seven to
read Braille! They're not ready!". I told her I started learning at five
and was studying to be a computer programmer, and asked her where was her
evidence that no child would be ready to learn it at my brother's age? She 
reacted rather like a rabbit in the headlights."

Best,
Clive



Clive Lever
Diversity and Equality Officer
Kent County Council

Office: 01622 221163
Email: clive.lever@xxxxxxxxxxx


Kent County Council
Room G37
Sessions House
Maidstone, Kent.
ME14 1XQ




-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Norman Waddington
Sent: 22 May 2014 14:07
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? -
News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent

Jackie,

One of the problems is the fact that if something is not used it is not
used Braille Shorthand being a good example.  I can read it and write it
and I am prepared to teach it.  People tell me there is no demand these
days for Braille shorthand. Once I have gone the skill will be lost if it 
is not passed on to others to keep it going point made?

Another point is the fact that authorities decide when Braille should be
introduced to kids at school.  Surely the sooner the better.  If we get
power cuts what will they do then?  No analog skills are being taught as
far as I can see to a greater or lesser extent!

Norman.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Jackie Brown
> Sent: 21 May 2014 16:59
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of
> Braille? - News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent
>
> I just get really irritated over the misconceptions Braille and
> blindness cause.  I've read bits and pieces in the past with people
> forecasting the imminent demise of Braille.  Obviously demand will
> fade away if people stop using it, but I think we are a long way from
> that, digital age or not.
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Jackie Brown
> Twitter: @thebrownsplace
> Skype: Thejackmate
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Gordon Keen
> Sent: 21 May 2014 16:21
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of
> Braille? - News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent
>
> Hi
>
> Yes that was my take on the article as well, however I decided to post
> the article as I felt that some might want to visit the exhibition
> with a view to expressing their opinion once they had actually > attended. 
>
> Regards
>
> G
>
> From Bridgerule in glorious Devon, England.
>  .
>
> On 21 May 2014, at 15:44, Iain Lackie
> <ilackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > I wasn't aware that the journalist was dismissing braille. If
> > anything,
> the professor was concerned that blind people were being denied access
> to braille due to the rise of the use of other digital sources of
> information.
> I think it unfair to blame the journalist for expressing the fears of
> someone else. If braille is not taught, of course it will die out. I
> have to say that even as a braille user, I read much less braille than
> I used to.
> I
> don't read any less, however.
> >
> > Iain
> >
>
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