Absolutely well said, Payal! Rajesh
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of payal kapoor Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 4:19 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] your thoughts on braille hi subramani i agree with amit on the importance of braille in day to day dealings like sighted folks do with print. having enjoyed the ability to read print and later after losing my sight, learning braille, i an only say that nothing can replace the pleasure of actually reading something for yourself . that information absorbed is primary information and not based on the understanding and perception of someone else who might read or narrate to you. for instance, an audio book can do a certain job of creating an impact, but you would agree that the voice reading would create a certain image in your mind thus creating a distraction, but when reading on your own, the images created are entirely your own and your own private world of whatever you choose it to be. this i can say because i love to read and nothing can give me that pleasure other than reading braille. in terms of writing too, just as children are almost forgetting to learn to write in their formative years thanks to technology, vc children too, idf exposed only to technology would be left bereft of the ability to write thus losing out on an important component in their lives. this does definitely not negate the need for technology to keep in sync with the rest of mainstream society. regards payal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Subramani L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:02 AM Subject: [AI] your thoughts on braille > Folks: > > Appologies for the lengthy mail. > > A couple of weeks from now 'Sahana', a trust in Bangalore is holding its > workshop to emphasise the importance of using Braille by the visually > challenged, despite widespread availability of technology. I thought > this could be a right occasion to write (in my newspaper) about how > Braille teaching/learning and its wider use is fairing against the > increasing number of accessible technology/devices. In this regard I > would like you all to share your opinions or personal experience on > Braille learning or use in your daily lives. Giving a few pointer below > for you all to think. I request you to contribute to this topic with > relevant and thought provoking messages, both for and against Braille. > > -The trustee Mr Varadarajan with whom I spoke, doesn't dismiss the > prominent role technology is playing in making the VC employable and > compete with others in the mainstream. But, he feels in the excitement > created by computer/technology, promotion and retention of Braille as > the primary medium of reading/writing for the VCs has been ignored or > given second preference at best. Who is responsible for this? Do you > think trainers neglect Braille or do you think the urgency they need to > show in getting employment for the VCs justifies any neglect they may > show towards Braille? > > -Though people like Mr Varadarajan have been stressing the importance of > learning Braille, the wide ranging application of technology has > virtually eliminated the need for the VCs to go through the pains of > learning, or, writing in Braille. This, in many ways, is comparable to > the so-called art of letter writing which is almost extinct thanks to > PCs, laptops and mobilephones. So, do you think it is pratcial for the > VCs to adopt to technology at the expense of Braille? > -Of course, the fact remains that Braille is still relevant for 90 or > more percent of VCs who have virtually no access to computer. But, given > that NGOs and training institutes have started to address the access > problem and, hopefully, in a few years time almost all VCs will have > access, do you think Braille can be consigned safely to the museum? > -There are also attempts to incorporate Braille in technologies with the > advent of refreshable Braille systems, Braille keyboards and output > devices. Given that this would still restrict communication only between > the VCs and will not fully help interaction with others in the > mainstream, can we still look Braille as the most relevant medium for > us? (Please feel free to contribute your own views independent of these > points) > > Regards, > > Subramani > 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 Notice: The information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. 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