[access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? - News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent
- From: <vanja@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 18:23:46 +0100
I admit that I unfortunately use speech to read out such things as card
numbers phone numbers ETC. I do think it make it slightly slower and it
would be easier to have it written in braille. It makes it even harder when
outside, having to try using phone's speech while on a call though possible
is even more difficult. However, I have only my own laziness to blame. I do
still read braille, but haven't written any in years. Hell I don't even
remember where my brailer is.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
John Farley
Sent: 21 May 2014 18:20
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Does the digital age spell the end of Braille? -
News - Gadgets and Tech - The Independent
Sorry, I am a late contributor to this chain.
Here is a short history.
I went blind in my late teens some 4 decades ago.
At that time it was essential to learn braille in order to gain employment
in a professional capacity.
I then learnt computing techniques in the world of IT using braille as my
main media. This enable me to compete effectively in my chosen line of work
and move up the career ladder.
So, after a number of years I started to use windots, an application that
would produce braille on a refreshable display from DOS applications etc.
This worked well and the ability to get into other applications than I could
before was a great improvement.
As time went by I moved across to Window-eyes. At that time the braille
output was still my major working environment, although the speech was an
additional useful add-on.
Then came the world of e-mail where my ability to fully take part in the
communications streams was essential and worked well.
I now work in an environment where most of my work is with words and now
speech is my main tool. However, whenever I need precision my refreshable
braille display is always there. It is so very useful.
Another very simple, domestic use for it is in reading numbers. That is
normally either for phone numbers or debit / credit card information. It is
so much easier when on a phone to read the numbers off from braille rather
than slowly go through the 16 digits on speech output.
I guess that if I did not have the braille unit then I would have
transcribed these to braille on paper anyway.
How do non-braille users or even non-PC users manage such tasks?
So, unless there is some future change in that kind of application that I
cannot foresee I would say that braille usage will be around for a very long
time to come.
My two penny worth.
Regards, John
Contact on : (Home) j.farley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
or : (work) john.farley@xxxxxxxxx
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