[ebooktalk] Re: RNIB Braille library.
- From: "Elaine Harris \(Rivendell\)" <elaineharris@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 1 May 2013 20:19:11 +1000
Alison,
I love your idea of issuing people with new machinery and an audio manual
and telling them to get on with it.
When I did my computer training - not until 1999 - one of my technical
services' colleagues sat in on it and assisted; basically, he wanted to be
able to help once Peter from Quantum was no longer there.
Paul, from Tech. Services was a lovely man, possessed a quirky sense of
humour. He was fascinated by the way we use keystroke commands instead of
the ubiquitous mouse. Sadly, we never carried it out but we dreamed of a
computer training day during which we sent colleagues out for a long liquid
lunch; the idea was that when they returned there would be not a mouse in
sight and they we have to learn to do without. He grasped the concept
whereas many never do.
Sorry to be tardy in sending this; I began it over 24 hours ago but life
happens, as they say.
Elaine
-----Original Message-----
From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of CJ & AA MAY
Sent: Tuesday, 30 April 2013 7:45 PM
To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: RNIB Braille library.
Hello Voldi
And how would they cope if they were given a manual and a handful of
cassettes and told to just get on and self teach themselves to read and
write!
Alison
-----Original Message-----
From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Voldi Gailans
Sent: 30 April 2013 07:30
To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: RNIB Braille library.
Hi Alison,
How would print readers feel if it were decided that print wasn't worth
learning?
Best wishes,
Voldi
At 14:49 29/04/2013, you wrote:
>You are right - those who say there is no place for Braille today are
>either wsighted or those who just don't want the bother of learning it
>- or a combination of both!
>I'm appalled at how few Rehab. Workers have a working knowledge of
>Braille - even Grade 1. And I am concerned where the blind adult
>needing this skill will be able to receive appropriate tuition. Some
>Rehab. Workers just give them the Fingerprint books and tapes and tell
>them to get on learning it for themselves - I'd like to see them try!
>Alison
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>On Behalf Of David Russell
>Sent: 29 April 2013 14:37
>To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: RNIB Braille library.
>
>Alison
>
>I very much hope braille remains with us for as long as I am around.
>Okay I only read with braille for magazines, but where would we be if
>we could not write notes and messages in braille, and also labels for
>food tins or compact discs etc.
>
>I'm sure those who say teaching braille is too time consuming and
>therefore a waste of time and resources are not people without sight.
>I would love to read braille books again but I just do not have the
>space to store them. A nice little player with a few hundred books for
>me to choose from is so much more convenient.
>
>
>David
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>On Behalf Of CJ & AA MAY
>Sent: 29 April 2013 12:06
>To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: RNIB Braille library.
>
>I don't doubt that this topic has been discussed before, both here and
>elsewhere. I fully acknowledge why some people prefer to read their
>books in Braille or use synthetic speech. I have a sprinkling of books
>on my RNIB Waiting List read by synthetic speec, but I doubt it will
>ever be my first choice.
>I'm, saddened that Braille is less popular these days, most likely to
>the amount of audio that is available now, but due in part too because
>there are so few Rehab. Workers to teach Braille. My colleagues used to
>argue that teaching Braille was time-cnsuming and unnecessary as there
>were other options of accessing literature. I would be told upon
>joining an office that there was no Braille class in the area due to
>lack of demand. Without exception, within 6 months I'd have a Braille
>Class up and running with at least 6 participants! For me there will
>always be a place for Braille in my life but it won't be for reading books
anymore.
>Alison
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>On Behalf Of Voldi Gailans
>Sent: 29 April 2013 09:49
>To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: RNIB Braille library.
>
>Hi Alison,
>
>I think we may have had this discussion before, but I for one wouldn't
>want to be without braille. We are so lucky these days to have all the
>choice in books which we didn't used to have and it is true that audio
>is more portable, with an increased possible reading speed for most if
>not all of us. I've often read an audio book, particularly using
>synthetic speech, on fast speed and thought afterwards of how much I
>enjoyed the book, but that it rushed by so quickly and that I didn't
>spread out the pleasure over a longer period. I always remember having
>books read to me at school and often having to wait several days for
>the next exciting instalment. Now we can read when we like and have it
>all at once if we like. I find that braille enables me to absorb the
>text more slowly and enjoy the book more thoroughly. Of course, the
>audio is great for covering a lot of material and so that is good too.
>Slowing down the reading speed is better for concentration, but I tend to
have it fairly fast because I can.
>
>As I've got older I've become rather more fussy about readers and often
>find aspects of their reading a distraction, partly because I think
>there are more less good readers about these days and also because I'm
>more particular these days.
>
>I think that the pluses of synthetic speech are often under-valued by
>those who won't try it as a means of reading. The main advantage I
>find is that, once I have got used to the voice, I forget its
>idiosynchrasies and it always reads in the same way - the text is a
>stream of information rather than a performance and so the experience
>is mor like reading for myself than having someone else reading. I
>still enjoy good readers and there are plenty about of course, but I do
>increasingly find that my enjoyment of a book is marred by bad or sloppy
reading.
>
>We all have our preferences and there are good cases for them all, but
>my overriding consideration is not having to wait for a book to be made
>available, which is why I like to scan books and read them as texts.
>Having the choice of audio or braille is great - as book lovers we have
>never had it so good.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Voldi
>
>At 09:10 27/04/2013, you wrote:
> >I read very little Braille these days, just the odd magazine and have
> >discontinued my membership of the RNIB Braille Library. I think that
> >maybe as I've got older I have lost some sensitivity in my fingers as
> >I now struggle with older Braille books which have become squashed
> >and maybe I have become lazy too, as it is so much easier and faster
> >to read audio books. Also, as I travel such a lot, it is much more
> >convenient to carry an
> >MP3 player in my handbag, rather than a bulky Braille book.
> >Alison
> >with
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >[mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> >On Behalf Of Elaine Harris (Rivendell)
> >Sent: 26 April 2013 22:31
> >To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: [ebooktalk] RNIB Braille library.
> >
> >Alison,
> >
> >No, I borrow Braille from the RNIB library and we have come to an
> >agreement that they send them (still free-post) Airmail, otherwise
> >they take three to four months to get here. We have to pay to return
> >them airmail but still at a heavily discounted rate.
> >
> >I listen to some books and radio drama but only of the highest
> >quality, being a bit too fussy for my own good, perhaps. Also, I
> >suffer
> >(literally) from migraines so being able to read in silence is a boon.
> >I also read aloud to my fully-sighted husband; at the moment we are
> >working our way through an unauthorised biography of Michael Douglas.
> >Chris is a film buff so he knows many if not all of the films
> >discussed. It is a bit "magaziney" in style and, being unauthorised,
> >best to take parts of it with more than a few pinches of salt but it
> >makes us laugh, squirm and groan. (This one is from the Vision
> >Australia library. Details on request since they have an exchange
> >service with libraries across the globe, I understand.)
> >
> >(Oh, and you have visited parts of Australia I have yet to see.)
> >
> >Elaine
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >[mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> >On Behalf Of CJ & AA MAY
> >Sent: Saturday, 27 April 2013 2:55 AM
> >To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: [ebooktalk] Re: Answering introduction feedback.
> >
> >Elaine, when you say you belong to the RNIB Library, is that th
> >Talking book or Braille Library?
> >I have visited Perth (many times0, Melbourne, Sydney (where I spent 5
> >days in St. Vincent's Hospital), Cairnes, Kangaroo Island, Adelade
> >and Broom - but still have lots of places we want to visit.
> >We think him crazy, but my brother-in-law is migrating back to the UK
> >next month after 15 years in Aus.
> >Alison
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >[mailto:ebooktalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> >On Behalf Of Elaine Harris (Rivendell)
> >Sent: 26 April 2013 12:50
> >To: ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: [ebooktalk] Answering introduction feedback.
> >
> >Hello again,
> >
> >Thank you for all the wonderful responses and follow-up potted histories.
> >
> >Clare, I remember you very well and have heard much of you and Voldi
> >both from Sue Sharp and Trish.
> >
> >Alison: I think if I had known how much of "A stranger in a strange
> >land" I would feel, I may not have changed hemispheres. I still hear
> >expressions that are new to me and probably fail abysmally by
> >continuing to use British pronunciations and expressions, for which I
> >make no apology though it has got me into metaphorical hot water more
> >than
>a few times.
> >
> >We lived in Melbourne when first I came out here; I ran an RPH or
> >Radio for the Print-Handicapped station for a year but left before I
> >went nuts; everyone seemed to have an axe to grind, often on my head!
> >The basic principle with RPH stations is that newspapers, magazines
> >and other publications are read on air, or selections therefrom.
> >Sadly, the quality of reading varies widely and, this country being
> >so huge, the stations are generally only accessible in State capital
cities.
> >
> >After RPH, I freelanced for a while, including some television
>interviewing.
> >Waiting to go on set was tough as the studio floors are concrete and
> >Kati, my first Guide Dog, who emigrated with me, hated being cold and
> >used to cry until the floor-manager had the brilliant idea of
> >providing a
>rug for her.
> >
> >Then on to Canberra where I worked for a number of years. We are now
> >in more temperate north-west Tasmania, within sight, sound and smell
> >of the
>ocean.
> >
> >I borrow from the Vision Australia library, one in Auckland as well
> >as the RNIB. We know the postman quite well!
> >
> >Re talk of garden and/or gardening books, last year I read:
> >The Morville Hours: Katherine Swift. History, geography, geology,
> >gardens, horticulture, archaeology, astronomy, linguistics,
> >spirituality. Incredibly inspiring; not an easy read but an
> >educational, revealing, beautiful and lyrical one. A Tour De Force.
> >Based on the principle of the old "Book of Hours" in all its forms,
> >but
>instead of a monastic day, a garden year.
> >
> >I love the Ellis Peters Cadfael books as much for herb and plant lore
> >as for the mysteries.
> >I have always wanted a walled garden like the one in "The Secret
> >Garden", but my garden here is my therapy, though I am better at
> >weeding and pruning than planting.
> >
> >I first fell in love with descriptive writing with L. M. Montgomery's
> >Anne books, some of which I am re-reading for fun, inspiration and
>nostalgia.
> >
> >My other vice, apart from being besotted by our dogs, (and enjoying
> >doggy
> >books) is that I now keep a book diary, listing everything I read,
> >reject, or fail to finish. Like most people I used to plough through
> >a book because it seemed the right thing to do; now, if I find myself
> >putting off returning to a book, it is usually an indicator that
> >we're not
>getting on very well.
> >
> > Happy reading,
> >
> >Elaine
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