Hello friends, I wish to download books from Bookshare. I could download the free ones though. Can anyone help me on this. regards, Rajasekhar Hyderabad
----- Original Message ----- From: "raju" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 11:54 AM Subject: Re: [AI] The story of Louis Braille's life, told in a lively style > 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. > > 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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