www.afb.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "amar jain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 9:50 AM Subject: Re: [AI] The story of Louis Braille's life, told in a lively style
> Respected Sir, > Thanks for such a good article, Can you please tell me the website? Is > it afb.net or is it the website of RNIB? Please let me know if I am > rong it is my guess only. Because I want to keep this site in my best > sites's folder because you coppied good things from this website and I > will be glad to see the updates. > With Best Regards, > > On 1/3/08, raju <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> The story of Louis Braille's life, told in a lively style >> >> >> >> Louis Braille >> >> >> >> www.afb.org >> >> >> >> >> >> Louis Braille (1809-1852) >> >> >> >> Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like >> constellations, >> spreading out over the page. What are they? Numbers, letters, words. Who >> made this code? None other than Louis Braille, a French 12-year-old, who >> was >> also blind. And his work changed the world of reading and writing, >> forever. >> >> >> >> Louis was from a small town called Coupvray, near Paris-he was born on >> January 4 in 1809. Louis became blind by accident, when he was 3 years >> old. >> Deep in his Dad's harness workshop, Louis tried to be like his Dad, but >> it >> went very wrong; he grabbed an awl, a sharp tool for making holes, and >> the >> tool slid and hurt his eye. The wound got infected, and the infection >> spread, and soon, Louis was blind in both eyes. >> >> All of a sudden, Louis needed a new way to learn. He stayed at his old >> school for two more years, but he couldn't learn everything just by >> listening. Things were looking up when Louis got a scholarship to the >> Royal >> Institution for Blind Youth in Paris, when he was 10. But even there, >> most >> of the teachers just talked at the students. The library had 14 huge >> books >> with raised letters that were very hard to read. Louis was impatient. >> >> Then in 1821, a former soldier named Charles Barbier visited the school. >> Barbier shared his invention called "night writing," a code of 12 raised >> dots that let soldiers share top-secret information on the battlefield >> without even having to speak. Unfortunately, the code was too hard for >> the >> soldiers, but not for 12-year-old Louis! >> >> Louis trimmed Barbier's 12 dots into 6, ironed out the system by the time >> he >> was 15, then published the first-ever braille book in 1829. But did he >> stop >> there? No way! In 1837, he added symbols for math and music. But since >> the >> public was skeptical, blind students had to study braille on their own. >> Even >> at the Royal Institution, where Louis taught after he graduated, braille >> wasn't taught until after his death. Braille began to spread worldwide in >> 1868, when a group of British men, now known as the Royal National >> Institute >> for the Blind, took up the cause. >> >> Now practically every country in the world uses braille. Braille books >> have >> double-sided pages, which saves a lot of space. Braille signs help blind >> people get around in public spaces. And, most important, blind people can >> communicate independently, without needing print. >> >> Louis proved that if you have the motivation, you can do incredible >> things. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Where Can I Find a Picture of Louis Braille? >> >> >> >> We hear this question a lot-why are there no photographs of Louis Braille >> on >> the Braille Bug site? >> >> >> >> We looked long and hard for a photograph of Louis Braille. But he died in >> 1852, and at that time photography had been around for only 13 years. It >> was >> still a relatively difficult and rare process. >> >> Also, Louis Braille's code for reading wasn't adopted by the school where >> he >> taught until eight years before he died. France didn't officially adopt >> Braille's system until two years after he died. It wasn't until 1890 that >> the code was adopted in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, >> Spain, >> and Scotland-and it took even longer to reach the United States. Louis >> Braille really became more famous after his death! >> >> Maybe people didn't think of taking a photo of him while he was alive >> because they didn't know how famous he would later become. But someone >> did >> think to take an old type of "photo" called a daguerreotype shortly after >> his death. Here is a >> >> portrait of Louis Braille >> >> that was based on the daguerreotype. You can see this image, as well as >> others, in a new biography from National Braille Press entitled Louis >> Braille: A Touch of Genius . As the author notes, "This is the visage of >> a >> dead man; in life, he kept his eyes open." >> >> The only other image we have of Louis Braille is a sculpted bust, which >> can >> be found at the school in Paris where he taught, the Royal Institution >> for >> Blind Youth. >> >> It's hard to remember in these days of digital cameras and instant >> pictures >> how young photography actually is. Sculpture has been around for >> thousands >> of years-photography for only 165 years! >> >> - The Braille Bug >> >> >> >> >> >> - >> >> >> >> What is Braille? >> >> >> >> What When you first look at something written in braille, all you see (or >> feel) is a jumble of dots! However, like any other code, braille is based >> on >> a logical system. Once you understand it, you'll be able to read and >> write >> braille easily. That's because braille is not a language, it's just >> another >> way to read and write English (or any other language, such as Japanese). >> Learn more in "Braille: Deciphering the Code" and check out the other >> links >> below. >> >> >> >> Braille: Deciphering the Code >> >> Trivia >> >> Braille Technology >> >> Printable Braille Alphabet Key >> >> >> >> braille alphabet card >> >> >> >> ...Overview of the Braille Bug Site... >> >> table with 2 columns and 44 rows >> >> >> >> Six tiny raised dots, ingeniously arranged by a fifteen-year-old boy >> nearly >> two hundred years ago, have brought literacy to thousands of people with >> visual disabilities worldwide. Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille >> code, was born on January 4, 1809, so January is celebrated as Braille >> Literacy Month. The Braille Bug web site for children was launched in >> January 2002 to commemorate the achievements of this remarkable young >> inventor. >> >> The information, activities, and games found on the Braille Bug web site >> are >> designed to teach children in grades 3 through 6 about braille. As they >> explore the site, children will be able to: >> >> list of 6 items >> >> . develop an appreciation for the efficiency and versatility of braille; >> >> . learn why and how Louis Braille invented the literary braille code; >> >> . understand the importance of braille for another famous blind person, >> Helen Keller; >> >> . learn to recognize braille letters and numbers; >> >> . describe different ways to read and write braille, including the use of >> technology; >> >> . use suggested resources to learn more about braille, blindness, and >> related topics. >> >> list end >> >> >> >> About Braille Literacy >> >> Braille enables people who are blind or visually impaired to develop >> literacy skills comparable to those of sighted people who read print. >> Those >> who know braille can perform tasks as varied as jotting down a phone >> number, >> writing a shopping list, solving a long division problem, reading a >> musical >> score, or composing a doctoral thesis. Sighted elementary students >> initially >> are fascinated by braille as a kind of "secret code." However, as they >> learn >> more about braille and its many uses, they expand their knowledge of >> people >> with disabilities and the accommodations they use to lead full and >> successful lives. >> >> Accessibility >> >> Children who are blind or visually impaired can enjoy the activities on >> the >> Braille Bug website right along with their sighted classmates. However, >> they >> will need special software and/or hardware on their computers. >> >> . Those with low vision have the option of >> >> changing the color of the site >> >> to increase contrast and make the text easier to see. They also may use >> screen magnification software to enlarge the text and pictures on the >> screen. >> >> . Those who do not learn visually may access information and participate >> in >> the games & activities by listening. To do this, they need to have a >> screen >> reader installed on their computer that will read everything that appears >> on >> the screen, including text, menus, icons, and alt tags. All the games and >> activities are designed to be completely accessible. However, the >> objectives >> for children who participate by listening are somewhat different from >> those >> for children who access the site visually. Although they will not be >> learning to recognize simulated braille letters and numbers, they will >> benefit from practice using their screen readers as they select menu >> items, >> listen to information, and play the games. Children with screen readers >> may >> access the games that have simulated braille characters by listening to >> the >> alt tags that give the dot numbers for each one. In this way, a player >> who >> is blind can work on the same questions with a classmate or friend who is >> sighted. This arrangement can promote the development of social >> interaction >> skills for both children. Children who would like more practice using >> their >> screen readers may also select the " >> >> Jumble Puzzle >> >> " game that provides clues in regular print letters and words, rather >> than >> in simulated braille. >> >> . Those who read braille may access the screen by using a refreshable >> braille display or by downloading and printing out a hard copy of the >> file >> on a braille embosser. Directions for creating a hard copy of any part of >> this website are found in another submenu item under " >> >> Parents and Teachers >> >> " entitled " >> >> How to Download Braille Files >> >> ." >> >> The Home Page >> >> The Braille Bug, a ladybug with the six dots of the braille cell on her >> back, welcomes children to the website on the home page. There are four >> menu >> items for them to choose from, in addition to the "Parents and Teachers" >> item: >> >> Change the Colors of the Site >> >> : Children have the option to change the color of the text and background >> based on their personal preferences for comfortable viewing. >> >> What is Braille? >> >> Five submenu items provide children with information about the Braille >> Code, tools used to read and write braille, and the life of Louis >> Braille. >> It is recommended that children read "Braille: Deciphering the Code" >> before >> attempting any of the games or activities under the next main menu item. >> >> list of 5 items >> >> . >> >> Braille: Deciphering the Code >> >> -An introduction to Louis Braille's systematic arrangement of dots in the >> braille cell to form letters, punctuation marks, and numbers. In this >> section children also learn about braille contractions and short-form >> words. >> These are special symbols or spellings that reduce the amount of space >> needed for writing words in braille. >> >> . >> >> Trivia >> >> -Interesting facts about braille >> >> . >> >> Braille Technology >> >> -A description of low- and high-tech tools used to read and write >> braille. >> >> . >> >> Printable Braille Alphabet >> >> -A copy of the braille alphabet that students can print out and use as a >> reference while playing the games, writing their own simulated braille >> messages, or decoding braille words and numbers they find in the >> environment. >> >> . >> >> Louis Braille >> >> -The story of Louis Braille's life told in a lively style. >> >> list end >> >> >> >> Games and Secret Messages: >> >> Children can explore a variety of interactive activities that challenge >> them >> to decode simulated braille letters, words, and numbers on the screen. >> All >> of the activities except the first one include a copy of the braille >> alphabet and numbers for reference. >> >> list of 7 items >> >> . >> >> See Your Name in Braille! >> >> -Type in any name or other word, and watch it appear on the screen in >> braille. >> >> . >> >> Trivia Mania >> >> -Decode braille words related to a specific category, such as "Insects." >> After a practice round, players earn points for correct answers. >> >> . >> >> Riddles >> >> -Read a riddle in print and decode the braille answer. >> >> . >> >> Braille Jumble >> >> -A more difficult version of Trivia Mania. The braille letters for each >> word >> in a specific category are scrambled. Players decode the letters, >> rearrange >> them, and type their response. After a practice round, points are awarded >> for each correct answer. >> >> . >> >> Jumble Puzzle >> >> -Games designed for use with a screen reader or refreshable braille >> display. >> >> . >> >> Countdown! >> >> -Decode the braille numbers, figure out the pattern (such as 2, 4, 6, 8), >> and type the next number in the sequence. After a practice level, players >> earn points for correct answers. >> >> . >> >> Secret Message >> >> -Send a coded message to a friend by clicking on the letters of the >> braille >> alphabet or typing in the text. When the message is sent via e-mail, the >> friend will receive instructions on how to see it in braille and decode >> the >> words. >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> list end >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Louis Braille >> >> : The story of Louis Braille's life, told in a lively style. >> >> Helen Keller Kids Museum Online >> >> : A fascinating timeline of Helen Keller's life and achievements. >> Includes >> photos, videos, letters, and more! >> >> We hope that the children who use this site will enjoy learning about >> braille and begin to understand its significance for people who are blind >> and visually impaired. During the coming year, the Braille Bug website >> will >> expand to include a Reading Club and Friends area. We welcome your >> comments >> and suggestions, which may be sent to >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> with >> the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> > > > -- > AMAR JAIN. > MOBILE:+91 99298 79006. > EMAILS:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. 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