Re: Searching for blind programmer to start a school for blind programmers

  • From: "The Elf" <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 17:25:59 -0700

resources, there are two sites,  one formal and one informal, and here is where you find your assistance. 


http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
and
www.nonvisualdevelopment.org
kens got an answer to individual programming tools made accessible, and as far as formal schooling i went to a community collage and took the normal sighted classes and did just fine for the linited work i did in it, programming knowledge in a language was a requirement for my major, not my major itself, but once i sat down and had a discussion with my instructors, we worked together and figured out how i would accomplish what he required for me in the class and he learned what he would need to modify so i could comply.
thats it, add in a provided computer with jaws on it linked in to the network and va la, blind programming is us. 

regards,
elf
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Perry" <whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2011 3:54 PM
Subject: RE: Searching for blind programmer to start a school for blind programmers 



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

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