Hi Adding to the thread, a Braille keyboard does not exclude us from the mainstream, in the other hand it is inclusive in scope, for the keyboard output gets into the common bus and is accessible to all. Basically the Braille keyboard requires just 6 keys and about 10 keys to use it more efficiently. Even then it can actually be a small device.
The status of Braille is somewhat like the morse code, on the decline but still kicking lively, driven by passion. Harish. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Amit Bhatt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:09 PM Subject: Re: [AI] your thoughts on braille > Dear Subramani, > > You have chosen a very relevant topic for your News paper and I am also > thankful to Mr. Varadarajan from the core of my heart for his positive views > on usage of Braille at present time. > Well Braille has lot of values for a Visually Challenged person but I would > like to say something on 2 3 points in favor of this script. Only the thing > witch goes against Braille is that the Books are so bulky to keep and carry > in the bag for long period, Braille is however as important for us as the > printed books are important for sighted people. > I am personally not persuade by the statement saying that advance > technology and Computer has made the Braille slightly inconsequential in > use. > It is just matter of your thoughts and views that how important you feel > Braille is in your life. The Computer technology is also there for sighted > people. Never the less, they have not decreased the status and use of print > for their reading/writing. > Beside my above cited views, I would like to share my experience and > recommendations on the following points. > 1.. If you have a long hour program to present on Radio/TV then you'll > surely require material to be written on Brail and the broadcaster needs to > be perfect in reading Brail. In this particular area, Brail is far better > than using Computer since it would not be possible to listen from Computer > and present the program simultaneously. One cannot remember each and every > script to say on Radio. At least we have to make proper points of the script > and for that purpose Brail is the best option to my mind. > Earlier I used to broadcast my reports on sports events in Hindi through All > India Radio where I did record some interviews through recorder but I inured > to note down the score and the name of players on Brail only. Regardless to > say that it is not an idea to listen the score first and then speak on Radio > where you have to speak with fluency and without any unnecessary gap. > > 2.. I will never recommend reading or listening language subjects like > English and Hindi through audio books or Computer since this medium will not > help us in enhancing our spellings, reading/writing skills, punctuation and > other writing arts. To learn the correct spellings and writing arts, brail > is an only option for a Visually Challenged person. > Warm regards, > > Amit Bhatt > > (MIS Analyst - Operation) > > Far Horizon Tours Pvt. Ltd. India > > www.farhorizonindia.com > > Voice: +91-129-409-8000, Ext. 093 | Fax: +91-129-409-8098 > > Direct: +91-986-820-1812 > > "Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is a progress, working > together is a success: > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Subramani L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> > Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:32 PM > 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 > 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
