WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:03.510
There may be lots of room
for braille in your life,
2
00:00:03.510 --> 00:00:06.090
even if you don't use it to read books.
3
00:00:06.090 --> 00:00:10.020
In this episode, braille
support manager Danette Johnson,
4
00:00:10.020 --> 00:00:11.790
along with Hadley members, Jeff
5
00:00:11.790 --> 00:00:14.970
and Audrey, join us to
discuss learning braille
6
00:00:14.970 --> 00:00:16.500
for everyday use.
7
00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:19.978
I'm Ricky Enger, and this is
Hadley Presents.
8
00:00:19.978 --> 00:00:23.735
Made possible by Hadley's donors, whose
support brings you
9
00:00:23.735 --> 00:00:26.550
expert perspectives on vision loss.
10
00:00:26.550 --> 00:00:29.130
Welcome to the show everyone. Hello.
11
00:00:29.130 --> 00:00:31.290
Hi. It's great to be
here. Great to be here.
12
00:00:31.290 --> 00:00:33.960
It is amazing to have you all
13
00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:37.680
and wow, do we ever have
a lot to talk about?
14
00:00:37.680 --> 00:00:42.180
I've been looking forward to
doing this podcast all day.
15
00:00:42.180 --> 00:00:46.770
So before we jump into talking
about braille, which is one
16
00:00:46.770 --> 00:00:51.480
of my favorite things, I wanna
just take a moment to kind
17
00:00:51.480 --> 00:00:54.870
of let everyone introduce themselves so
18
00:00:54.870 --> 00:00:58.260
that we all can put a name with a voice.
19
00:00:58.260 --> 00:01:00.120
So Danette, let's start with you.
20
00:01:00.120 --> 00:01:01.920
Tell us a bit about who you are
21
00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:03.510
and what you do here at Hadley.
22
00:01:03.510 --> 00:01:06.180
Yeah, great. As mentioned,
my name is Danette Johnson
23
00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:07.620
and I'm the braille specialist
24
00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:10.170
and braille support
manager here at Hadley.
25
00:01:10.170 --> 00:01:12.090
And I have the pleasure of speaking
26
00:01:12.090 --> 00:01:16.020
to our members about braille
and answering questions
27
00:01:16.020 --> 00:01:17.940
and sharing tips and strategies
28
00:01:17.940 --> 00:01:19.860
for learning and reading Braille.
29
00:01:19.860 --> 00:01:22.050
I also had the privilege
of helping to develop
30
00:01:22.050 --> 00:01:24.150
and write our braille
programs here at Hadley.
31
00:01:24.150 --> 00:01:27.690
So I'm really glad to be here
and talking about it today.
32
00:01:27.690 --> 00:01:30.720
Awesome. So Audrey, you are next.
33
00:01:30.720 --> 00:01:32.160
Tell us a bit about yourself
34
00:01:32.160 --> 00:01:34.680
and if you like, you can touch kind
35
00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:37.050
of on your vision loss as well.
36
00:01:37.050 --> 00:01:40.140
I lost my vision three
years ago in an accident.
37
00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:42.420
It was a gradual loss.
38
00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:44.850
It took me two years to finally admit
39
00:01:44.850 --> 00:01:48.510
that I really was losing my
vision and I needed help.
40
00:01:48.510 --> 00:01:51.210
And so I started reaching out in every way
41
00:01:51.210 --> 00:01:52.470
that I could find.
42
00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:57.431
And learning braille became
very important because
43
00:01:57.431 --> 00:01:59.534
I love to travel.
44
00:01:59.534 --> 00:02:02.715
And I realized, that if I'm traveling by myself
45
00:02:02.715 --> 00:02:04.648
and sometimes I do.
46
00:02:04.648 --> 00:02:07.050
I would need to be able to
47
00:02:07.050 --> 00:02:10.530
read elevator and read the room numbers.
48
00:02:10.530 --> 00:02:14.640
And so it became very important
to me to learn braille.
49
00:02:14.640 --> 00:02:18.060
I've struggled a lot called Danette a lot,
50
00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:20.760
and if it wasn't for
Danette for encouragement,
51
00:02:20.760 --> 00:02:23.370
I probably would've quit.
52
00:02:23.370 --> 00:02:26.850
But I've kind of adapted
my own way to learn
53
00:02:26.850 --> 00:02:29.520
and I'm succeeding.
54
00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:33.390
I love it. And you have
jumped just right into
55
00:02:33.390 --> 00:02:36.480
that practical way that braille is going
56
00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:38.760
to fit into your life.
57
00:02:38.760 --> 00:02:41.430
That's perfect. Jeff,
tell us a bit about you
58
00:02:41.430 --> 00:02:43.680
and kind of your vision loss journey
59
00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:46.350
and how you got started learning braille.
60
00:02:46.350 --> 00:02:47.640
So my name is Jeff.
61
00:02:47.640 --> 00:02:51.360
I live in Oregon and my vision
loss journey started two
62
00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.310
years ago when I was 49.
63
00:02:53.310 --> 00:02:55.050
I was brought to the emergency room
64
00:02:55.050 --> 00:02:58.840
with 20/20 vision while
currently experiencing covid.
65
00:02:58.840 --> 00:03:01.240
And I went in because I was having severe
66
00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:03.220
and debilitating headaches
that were getting worse
67
00:03:03.220 --> 00:03:05.140
by the hour. After a scan
68
00:03:05.140 --> 00:03:06.790
and an examination, it was determined
69
00:03:06.790 --> 00:03:09.160
that I was having a stroke as well.
70
00:03:09.160 --> 00:03:11.500
So I woke up five and a half weeks later
71
00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:15.700
after a coma in another
hospital with my wife explaining
72
00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:17.710
to me that I'm now blind.
73
00:03:17.710 --> 00:03:21.400
And for me, I didn't experience
the five weeks, it was just,
74
00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:23.410
I went in with 20/20 and I woke up blind.
75
00:03:23.410 --> 00:03:25.150
So it was a whole new world
76
00:03:25.150 --> 00:03:28.660
and there's a long story
between the Oregon Commission
77
00:03:28.660 --> 00:03:30.580
for the Blind reaching out to me
78
00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:33.970
and them setting me up with
Hadley. A Hadley account.
79
00:03:33.970 --> 00:03:36.070
And when I was first
home from the hospital,
80
00:03:36.070 --> 00:03:39.160
I just spent all my times
listening to all the workshops
81
00:03:39.160 --> 00:03:43.210
and I kept thinking I'm too
old to learn Braille 49.
82
00:03:43.210 --> 00:03:45.610
And, Hadley actually said, well,
83
00:03:45.610 --> 00:03:47.320
you're not too old to learn braille.
84
00:03:47.320 --> 00:03:49.450
People learn it much older than you.
85
00:03:49.450 --> 00:03:51.370
I took that to heart and I started doing
86
00:03:51.370 --> 00:03:52.480
all the workshops of braille.
87
00:03:52.480 --> 00:03:56.110
And it turns out for me
personally, it was a lot of fun
88
00:03:56.110 --> 00:03:58.720
because to me it was like a puzzle game
89
00:03:58.720 --> 00:04:02.475
and it it, it also gave me
something to do because,
90
00:04:02.475 --> 00:04:04.480
'cause I, I was very limited in
91
00:04:04.480 --> 00:04:05.920
what I could do when I first went blind.
92
00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:08.530
So that's my story.
93
00:04:08.530 --> 00:04:11.470
Well there you go. It,
it's so good that each
94
00:04:11.470 --> 00:04:15.760
of you came into this with kind
95
00:04:15.760 --> 00:04:20.350
of a thing that motivated you to start.
96
00:04:20.350 --> 00:04:23.620
So Danette, I'm curious, we've said
97
00:04:23.620 --> 00:04:26.715
that our program here is called
98
00:04:26.715 --> 00:04:28.990
Braille for Everyday Use.
99
00:04:28.990 --> 00:04:32.800
So that almost implies that,
I mean you would think,
100
00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:35.620
well if I'm gonna learn braille, you know,
101
00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:39.280
am I gonna use it every day If
I'm reading, I guess I would.
102
00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:44.200
Is there something different
about Braille for Everyday Use
103
00:04:44.200 --> 00:04:48.340
that would maybe set it apart
from some traditional programs
104
00:04:48.340 --> 00:04:49.720
and ways to learn braille?
105
00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:53.230
What did we design this to be?
106
00:04:53.230 --> 00:04:54.910
Well, you're exactly right Ricky.
107
00:04:54.910 --> 00:04:56.590
We named it Braille for Everyday Use
108
00:04:56.590 --> 00:04:59.980
because that's really what we
focus on from the beginning.
109
00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:04.240
A lot of times programs throw
a lot of symbols at you,
110
00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:06.160
a large amount at one time
111
00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:10.150
because the end goal may be
is to read braille books.
112
00:05:10.150 --> 00:05:13.180
But we wanted to take a look
at braille in another way.
113
00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:16.120
How can I use braille from the start?
114
00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:17.710
From the very first letter,
115
00:05:17.710 --> 00:05:19.990
from the very first symbol that I use.
116
00:05:19.990 --> 00:05:22.270
I want this to be a practical thing,
117
00:05:22.270 --> 00:05:24.430
otherwise I might not stick with this.
118
00:05:24.430 --> 00:05:27.010
It's too big, it's too overwhelming.
119
00:05:27.010 --> 00:05:31.210
And we found that focusing on
how you can use it immediately
120
00:05:31.210 --> 00:05:35.380
and simply would be just, you
know, adding another tool to
121
00:05:35.380 --> 00:05:38.140
that toolbox to help you thrive.
122
00:05:38.140 --> 00:05:41.710
So yeah, our program, braille
for everyday use is designed
123
00:05:41.710 --> 00:05:45.697
to introduce braille in this
easily digestible way that
124
00:05:45.697 --> 00:05:48.280
isn't overwhelming and focuses on these
125
00:05:48.280 --> 00:05:49.990
practical uses of braille.
126
00:05:49.990 --> 00:05:53.617
We discuss braille using braille, the very first letter.
127
00:05:53.617 --> 00:05:55.913
For things like, labeling everything around your home,
128
00:05:55.913 --> 00:05:57.470
such as your pantry items.
129
00:05:57.470 --> 00:06:01.130
Your electrical panels
so you know which switches
130
00:06:01.130 --> 00:06:03.290
to flip, your pet food containers
131
00:06:03.290 --> 00:06:05.240
or for example, just using one
132
00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:08.180
or two letters like putting
the letter A on your aspirin
133
00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:11.000
bottle and the letter T
on your Tylenol bottle
134
00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:12.800
to be able to tell those apart.
135
00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:16.400
So very practical simple uses for braille.
136
00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:19.100
And then we talk about things
like reading the elevator
137
00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:20.780
buttons as Audrey mentioned
138
00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:22.940
and restroom signs so you know
139
00:06:22.940 --> 00:06:24.740
that you're going in the
right restroom when you're out
140
00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:27.800
for dinner, just everyday
kind of things like that.
141
00:06:28.925 --> 00:06:31.430
Absolutely. Yeah,
we only introduce like three
142
00:06:31.430 --> 00:06:33.260
or four letters or symbols at a time.
143
00:06:33.260 --> 00:06:34.730
So you get plenty of practice
144
00:06:34.730 --> 00:06:38.300
and it doesn't feel overwhelming
before we add more letters.
145
00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:41.540
We even provide those little
stickers with the letters
146
00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:43.340
so you can use them immediately
147
00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:46.040
and sticker them on things
around your home to help.
148
00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:48.620
And I think that that too is
a little bit different than
149
00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:52.250
some other programs just
introducing a few things at a time
150
00:06:52.250 --> 00:06:54.500
to make it, you know, digestible
151
00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:56.720
and you make you feel
confident and comfortable
152
00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:58.100
and then it feels like braille is
153
00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:59.870
purposeful from the get go.
154
00:06:59.870 --> 00:07:01.460
Yeah, it makes a lot of sense
155
00:07:01.460 --> 00:07:05.870
because even if you learn
the braille alphabet,
156
00:07:05.870 --> 00:07:08.660
if you're learning the
alphabet just sort of
157
00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:12.590
for its own sake, maybe you
haven't thought about, well
158
00:07:12.590 --> 00:07:13.670
where is this going
159
00:07:13.670 --> 00:07:17.390
to fit in my daily life
other than say reading books.
160
00:07:17.390 --> 00:07:19.760
But this is a very practical approach.
161
00:07:19.760 --> 00:07:24.440
And Audrey, this was your
actual motivation to start.
162
00:07:24.440 --> 00:07:27.980
So this elevator buttons
and things like that.
163
00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:32.720
Do you remember when you
started, you had this in mind,
164
00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:36.980
you wanted to to use it to, to read signs,
165
00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:39.590
to read hotel room numbers.
166
00:07:39.590 --> 00:07:43.790
Do you remember the first
time that it really,
167
00:07:43.790 --> 00:07:44.900
really clicked
168
00:07:44.900 --> 00:07:49.900
or you found a specific
motivation to keep going?
169
00:07:49.910 --> 00:07:53.645
Do you remember a moment where
it kind of clicked for you?
170
00:07:53.645 --> 00:07:55.370
I do. I remember
171
00:07:55.370 --> 00:07:59.570
that I realized when you
were talking about labeling,
172
00:07:59.570 --> 00:08:04.520
how I could make my life
easier by learning braille
173
00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:06.740
and labeling things in my home
174
00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:09.680
that I really didn't know what they were.
175
00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:12.170
I'm 75 years old.
176
00:08:12.170 --> 00:08:16.730
So when you say that braille
can be learned at any age,
177
00:08:16.730 --> 00:08:21.500
I wanna say yes because it may not be
178
00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:24.170
as easy for a 75-year-old as it's
179
00:08:24.170 --> 00:08:26.340
for a 49-year-old year old.
180
00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:31.130
But I haven't lost my ability
to learn because of my age or
181
00:08:31.130 --> 00:08:32.600
because of my blindness.
182
00:08:33.650 --> 00:08:37.340
I still have capabilities
183
00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:41.240
and realizing that
184
00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:45.140
braille could make my life easier in
185
00:08:45.140 --> 00:08:48.680
so many more ways has kept me going.
186
00:08:48.680 --> 00:08:50.180
So well said.
187
00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:53.510
We hear it a lot, I'm too old
188
00:08:54.380 --> 00:08:57.240
or this, this is going to be too hard.
189
00:08:57.240 --> 00:09:00.090
But you're so right, you
haven't lost your capability
190
00:09:00.090 --> 00:09:03.780
and you haven't lost that
willingness, that zest
191
00:09:03.780 --> 00:09:05.340
for learning.
192
00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:08.640
And so you came in excited for one reason
193
00:09:08.640 --> 00:09:11.160
and now you're finding other reasons too,
194
00:09:11.160 --> 00:09:15.840
labeling things in your house
so it's fitting in your life,
195
00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:17.400
which is wonderful.
196
00:09:17.400 --> 00:09:18.750
Jeff, what about you?
197
00:09:18.750 --> 00:09:23.400
Can you remember a moment
where it went from,
198
00:09:23.400 --> 00:09:27.930
I am learning this, it's kind
of a puzzle, I'm having fun
199
00:09:27.930 --> 00:09:32.100
to, oh I can actually see this
200
00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.270
being useful.
201
00:09:33.270 --> 00:09:36.180
Did you have a a, a
practical thing that you sort
202
00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:37.890
of started with?
203
00:09:37.890 --> 00:09:41.880
I actually do, oddly
enough for me, my first use
204
00:09:41.880 --> 00:09:44.400
for Braille practically was I wanted
205
00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:46.170
to actually write in braille
206
00:09:46.170 --> 00:09:48.420
because part of the medical issue I had
207
00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:51.510
that caused my blindness
also made my fingers numb
208
00:09:51.510 --> 00:09:53.190
neuropathy at the fingertips.
209
00:09:53.190 --> 00:09:55.650
So I was having a more
difficult time advancing reading
210
00:09:55.650 --> 00:09:57.090
it, but I did wanna write it.
211
00:09:57.090 --> 00:10:00.030
And the practical use
for that at the time was,
212
00:10:00.030 --> 00:10:03.900
it was Christmas time and I
wanted to say a little something
213
00:10:03.900 --> 00:10:07.050
to a young niece that I
have who's 11 years old
214
00:10:07.050 --> 00:10:08.700
because I had had a difficult year
215
00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:10.560
and she was worried for me
216
00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:12.480
and I just wanted a way to connect
217
00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:15.690
and I wanted to say,
Hey look, I can do this.
218
00:10:15.690 --> 00:10:18.960
I can write in braille, you may
not understand what this is,
219
00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:21.480
but let me explain to you, I'll
write your name in braille,
220
00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:23.100
I'll write your school name in braille.
221
00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:25.110
And it was just a way
for me to kind of connect
222
00:10:25.110 --> 00:10:27.690
and say, I'm learning new things
223
00:10:27.690 --> 00:10:31.110
so when you feel like you
don't wanna learn in school
224
00:10:31.110 --> 00:10:32.250
or it's difficult
225
00:10:32.250 --> 00:10:34.200
or something like that, just know
226
00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:36.450
that at my age I'm still doing it.
227
00:10:36.450 --> 00:10:39.960
You can too. And I wrote
her a little like Merry
228
00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:42.000
Christmas and everything else there.
229
00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.280
And that was the first practical use I had
230
00:10:44.280 --> 00:10:45.720
for it in that sense.
231
00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:49.290
Other practical uses, yes
there's elevator buttons
232
00:10:49.290 --> 00:10:51.915
and there was also
labeling around the house.
233
00:10:51.915 --> 00:10:55.200
I, I got a hold of a braille
label maker once I advanced
234
00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:57.810
enough through the Hadley workshops
235
00:10:57.810 --> 00:11:00.510
and I started labeling
everything I could think of.
236
00:11:01.710 --> 00:11:06.600
Those were very practical
early on as well as being able
237
00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:09.360
to read braille on certain devices
238
00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:11.640
and paperwork that was
being sent to me now
239
00:11:11.640 --> 00:11:15.540
by various blind organizations
like Talking books
240
00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:16.680
for the Blind and such.
241
00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:20.250
So that was practical for me
too, is trying to understand
242
00:11:20.250 --> 00:11:21.660
what I was just sent.
243
00:11:21.660 --> 00:11:24.840
That's awesome. And Audrey, for you,
244
00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:29.610
how is Braille fitting into your life now?
245
00:11:29.610 --> 00:11:32.310
So you've, you've progressed a bit
246
00:11:32.310 --> 00:11:36.570
and you've mentioned
labeling things in your home.
247
00:11:36.570 --> 00:11:40.050
Have you had a chance to practice kind of
248
00:11:40.050 --> 00:11:43.110
what you came into this
for, reading those signs
249
00:11:43.110 --> 00:11:44.580
as you're out and about?
250
00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:46.817
Where's Braille fitting in now for you?
251
00:11:46.817 --> 00:11:48.947
It's actually fitting in well.
252
00:11:48.947 --> 00:11:51.660
Yes, I've had a
chance to read the signs
253
00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:55.420
outside my home and my
home and in my home,
254
00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:59.050
I do practice my braille every day,
255
00:11:59.050 --> 00:12:02.290
but I do it at different
times during the day
256
00:12:02.290 --> 00:12:05.440
because I have a very busy life
257
00:12:06.640 --> 00:12:09.610
and so I fit braille in where it fits,
258
00:12:09.610 --> 00:12:14.610
but I make sure to do it
because it has become a love.
259
00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:18.430
I'm actually reading words and phrases
260
00:12:18.430 --> 00:12:21.190
and thank you Danette
for sending those to me.
261
00:12:21.190 --> 00:12:26.110
That has been, I wanna say my
connection, it's really kind
262
00:12:26.110 --> 00:12:30.550
of spurred me on and
encouraged me to keep going
263
00:12:30.550 --> 00:12:32.080
and keep learning.
264
00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:34.780
I still struggle with some of the letters,
265
00:12:34.780 --> 00:12:37.960
but I have learned how to, in a word
266
00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:41.680
feel each individual letter.
267
00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:43.900
And so I'm spelling the letters out
268
00:12:43.900 --> 00:12:46.570
as I'm reading the words as well.
269
00:12:46.570 --> 00:12:49.090
I think my older mind is
probably a little, a little,
270
00:12:49.090 --> 00:12:52.150
but that's, that's not a problem.
271
00:12:52.150 --> 00:12:53.920
I'm just gonna keep going.
272
00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:58.600
I love it. Jeff, you have
mentioned a couple of ways
273
00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:01.930
that braille is fitting
into your life too.
274
00:13:01.930 --> 00:13:06.400
And for you, you mentioned
writing, so braille
275
00:13:06.400 --> 00:13:10.000
and technology I think has been
276
00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.650
a nice fit for you.
277
00:13:11.650 --> 00:13:13.480
Can you talk about that, how,
278
00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:15.550
where Braille is fitting
in your life in terms
279
00:13:15.550 --> 00:13:17.680
of using it with technology?
280
00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:19.270
Yes, I can actually,
281
00:13:19.270 --> 00:13:21.550
when I first started
using a slate and stylus,
282
00:13:21.550 --> 00:13:23.350
that was a big push for me in braille
283
00:13:23.350 --> 00:13:26.410
because that was my first
experience writing braille.
284
00:13:26.410 --> 00:13:29.830
And that actually helped a
lot with the learning process
285
00:13:29.830 --> 00:13:33.430
of braille I, 'cause I'd
have to learn every letter
286
00:13:33.430 --> 00:13:36.100
and also learn how to write it backwards.
287
00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:38.320
And it really helped cement
what the letters were
288
00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:40.060
and I was really excited for that
289
00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:41.860
because it was so helpful for me.
290
00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:45.640
And then nowadays I use
technology as well as a slate
291
00:13:45.640 --> 00:13:47.980
and stylus for certain types of practice.
292
00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:51.190
But with technology I use an Apple iPhone
293
00:13:51.190 --> 00:13:53.890
and it has a feature called
Braille Screen input.
294
00:13:53.890 --> 00:13:56.800
And I think Samsung has a similar version
295
00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:58.450
and braille screen input.
296
00:13:58.450 --> 00:14:00.820
It allows you to use a touch screen,
297
00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:03.700
not an actual physical braille keyboard
298
00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:05.020
or any other physical keyboard,
299
00:14:05.020 --> 00:14:07.630
but a touch screen in braille mode.
300
00:14:07.630 --> 00:14:09.730
It just maps where your fingers are
301
00:14:09.730 --> 00:14:12.490
and you can reset the
mapping whenever you want.
302
00:14:12.490 --> 00:14:15.520
But it allows you to
type the braille symbols
303
00:14:15.520 --> 00:14:19.360
and it will then translate
it into written text
304
00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:21.130
that a sighted person will see.
305
00:14:21.130 --> 00:14:25.180
So for example, I use braille
screen input every single day
306
00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:27.490
to not only write very quick texts,
307
00:14:27.490 --> 00:14:30.130
especially if I'm in mixed
company, I don't want
308
00:14:30.130 --> 00:14:32.710
to interrupt a discussion
that's happening somewhere else,
309
00:14:32.710 --> 00:14:34.420
like at a meeting that I have
310
00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:37.990
for a blind support group
locally, I don't necessarily want
311
00:14:37.990 --> 00:14:40.270
to cut in, but this will allow me
312
00:14:40.270 --> 00:14:43.810
to type on screen on my phone.
313
00:14:43.810 --> 00:14:46.630
Yeah. Instead of dictating
that out loud, right.
314
00:14:46.630 --> 00:14:48.040
Instead of dictating it.
315
00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:52.280
And I do actually use hearing
aids, so I, it pumps the, the,
316
00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:54.770
the sound of the letters
through my hearing aids.
317
00:14:54.770 --> 00:14:57.800
But otherwise you could use earbuds
318
00:14:57.800 --> 00:14:59.990
or headphones if you want
to keep it silent because
319
00:14:59.990 --> 00:15:02.360
otherwise people will hear A, B...
320
00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.360
Right.
321
00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:04.520
But that, that is a good thing.
322
00:15:04.520 --> 00:15:06.710
I love the ability to do that.
323
00:15:06.710 --> 00:15:10.130
'cause one thing I have
difficulty doing is taking
324
00:15:10.130 --> 00:15:11.330
notes during these meetings.
325
00:15:11.330 --> 00:15:14.390
If someone's getting very,
giving very useful information
326
00:15:14.390 --> 00:15:15.560
for the blind and such,
327
00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:18.050
and this is a quick way for me to do it.
328
00:15:18.050 --> 00:15:19.940
And contracted braille especially is quick
329
00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.650
because it shortens everything.
330
00:15:21.650 --> 00:15:24.888
I just, I really thoroughly
enjoy that.
331
00:15:24.888 --> 00:15:28.100
As well as taking notes, sending texts,
332
00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:30.380
writing brief emails and stuff.
333
00:15:30.380 --> 00:15:31.640
I really love that aspect
334
00:15:31.640 --> 00:15:34.220
and I have found it extremely
useful in that regard as far
335
00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:37.130
as writing in both ways goes. Yes.
336
00:15:37.130 --> 00:15:38.420
Yeah, that's really great.
337
00:15:38.420 --> 00:15:42.890
It's a way to enter
your stuff without kind
338
00:15:42.890 --> 00:15:45.020
of fiddling around with the touchscreen.
339
00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:48.800
And even if you can
still see the touchscreen
340
00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:53.000
to some degree, a lot of people
find this a much quicker and
341
00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:55.520
and more private way as you
mentioned, without having
342
00:15:55.520 --> 00:15:58.850
to dictate things or squint
down at the screen if you're
343
00:15:58.850 --> 00:16:02.570
trying to use your vision,
learning that quick method
344
00:16:02.570 --> 00:16:04.130
of input.
345
00:16:04.130 --> 00:16:07.970
So Danette, Audrey already touched on this
346
00:16:07.970 --> 00:16:09.560
to some degree, kind
347
00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:14.450
of talking about getting
those practice things sent out
348
00:16:14.450 --> 00:16:17.840
and ways to practice
349
00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:21.890
or to keep you going
when things are getting a
350
00:16:21.890 --> 00:16:23.210
little bit hard.
351
00:16:24.050 --> 00:16:27.560
It is overwhelming when you're
first learning something.
352
00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.420
So and and I think it's easy
353
00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:33.560
to get discouraged if you don't
have someone in your corner.
354
00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:38.540
So what kind of support
do we offer at Hadley
355
00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:41.660
so that people are not
just doing this alone?
356
00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:43.370
Yes, you're absolutely right Ricky.
357
00:16:43.370 --> 00:16:45.020
And we have a couple of different ways
358
00:16:45.020 --> 00:16:46.520
that people can get connected
359
00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:49.130
and get that support so they
don't feel they're alone.
360
00:16:49.130 --> 00:16:50.240
We really don't want anyone
361
00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:53.360
to think they're out on their
own on this braille journey.
362
00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.120
And so we have braille specialists here
363
00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.410
to answer your questions.
364
00:16:57.410 --> 00:17:00.590
As I mentioned, at any time you can call,
365
00:17:00.590 --> 00:17:03.710
you can email from something as simple as
366
00:17:03.710 --> 00:17:05.390
what was the answer on this page?
367
00:17:05.390 --> 00:17:09.020
I missed it. Or I'm not sure
I'm holding out my hands right
368
00:17:09.020 --> 00:17:10.940
or I'm not feeling these correctly,
369
00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:12.560
or I can't identify this letter.
370
00:17:12.560 --> 00:17:15.860
So call and ask questions
and we can discuss tips
371
00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:18.530
and strategies to help you be successful.
372
00:17:18.530 --> 00:17:21.320
And then we also have a
monthly discussion group on the
373
00:17:21.320 --> 00:17:24.680
first Thursday of every month
called Embracing Braille
374
00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:27.380
and people can join by Zoom or by phone.
375
00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:30.320
And in that group we discuss
a braille related topic each
376
00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:32.570
month and members can share their own tips
377
00:17:32.570 --> 00:17:35.120
and strategies as well
as that's a good chance
378
00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:37.580
to ask questions of other
people who are going
379
00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:40.970
through the same thing or have
been through the same process
380
00:17:40.970 --> 00:17:43.340
and have been in your
position and learning braille.
381
00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:45.500
Yeah, I always think
that's so helpful, just
382
00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:49.890
that community aspect of
encouraging each other
383
00:17:49.890 --> 00:17:51.660
or a new person comes in
384
00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:54.240
and they're feeling like I'm
never gonna learn all this,
385
00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:59.010
and then three months later,
they are the person jumping
386
00:17:59.010 --> 00:18:02.760
in with a suggestion, Hey,
here's what helped me.
387
00:18:02.760 --> 00:18:06.780
I always love watching that in action.
388
00:18:06.780 --> 00:18:08.820
So as we're wrapping up,
389
00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:12.270
I'm just wondering if someone is out there
390
00:18:12.270 --> 00:18:14.310
and they're listening
391
00:18:14.310 --> 00:18:17.940
and they're like, wow,
Audrey's doing great,
392
00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.140
Jeff's doing great,
393
00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:21.120
and I'm sure Danette
is really encouraging,
394
00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:24.180
but I just don't know if I can do this.
395
00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:26.280
I don't know if this is for me.
396
00:18:26.280 --> 00:18:30.450
So as we're wrapping up,
what's something that each
397
00:18:30.450 --> 00:18:35.340
of you would say to that person
who's sort of on the fence?
398
00:18:35.340 --> 00:18:37.920
So Audrey, we'll start with you.
399
00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:41.070
I have a mentor who is learning braille
400
00:18:41.070 --> 00:18:43.140
and so on our mentor call,
401
00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:47.580
sometimes we will talk about
our difficulties with braille
402
00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.840
or our successes with braille.
403
00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:52.770
That has also been very helpful for me.
404
00:18:52.770 --> 00:18:57.570
I have two people who in my
life who have taught braille
405
00:18:57.570 --> 00:18:59.850
and I can ask them questions.
406
00:18:59.850 --> 00:19:03.780
I want you to know Danette
is a wonderful source.
407
00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:08.910
The specialists at Hadley
are very encouraging.
408
00:19:08.910 --> 00:19:12.120
I wouldn't want someone to not
think that they can't do it
409
00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:15.420
because of their inability to learn.
410
00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:18.900
You can go as quickly or
as slowly as you want to,
411
00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:21.720
and you can go through
those lessons as many times
412
00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:25.320
as you wish and really learn the letters.
413
00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:27.570
I've had to go through
some of those lessons
414
00:19:27.570 --> 00:19:30.330
and probably will go
back and do them again
415
00:19:30.330 --> 00:19:35.130
because I wanna make sure
that I know the letters
416
00:19:35.130 --> 00:19:36.630
and I just wanna encourage people
417
00:19:36.630 --> 00:19:40.200
who wanna learn braille, You can do it.
418
00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:42.720
Thank you so much, Audrey. I love it.
419
00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.160
Okay, Jeff, you're up.
420
00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.080
What would you say to
someone who's saying,
421
00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:47.460
I don't know if this is for me.
422
00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:49.020
I don't know if I can.
423
00:19:49.020 --> 00:19:51.060
Yeah, I was that person.
424
00:19:51.060 --> 00:19:52.200
I didn't think I could
425
00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:55.020
because I mentioned a little earlier,
426
00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:57.660
my fingertips were numb
because of neuropathy
427
00:19:57.660 --> 00:20:01.620
after my stroke, I just didn't
think it'd be even possible.
428
00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:05.550
But I started slowly gaining a
little sensitivity in certain
429
00:20:05.550 --> 00:20:08.850
fingers and it turns out
that now I have one finger
430
00:20:08.850 --> 00:20:11.880
that is pretty much my
primary braille reader.
431
00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:14.160
It's the middle finger on my right hand.
432
00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:17.310
That's how I read all my
braille. It's very effective.
433
00:20:17.310 --> 00:20:19.380
I'm sure it would be more
effective if all my fingers
434
00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.120
worked, but that's the one I've got.
435
00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:23.130
And I'm reading braille.
436
00:20:23.130 --> 00:20:25.560
I'm very slow at reading
contracted braille,
437
00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:29.280
but I'm adequate at reading
standard Braille at the moment
438
00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:31.980
because of the practice that
I've really been putting in.
439
00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:36.570
And I faced a limitation
and discouraged me early on,
440
00:20:36.570 --> 00:20:38.130
but I found another way around it
441
00:20:38.130 --> 00:20:40.710
where even if I can't
read it, I would like
442
00:20:40.710 --> 00:20:41.760
to communicate it
443
00:20:41.760 --> 00:20:45.750
because I'm also trying to
think of vocational things
444
00:20:45.750 --> 00:20:48.760
that I can do, like translating
things to braille maybe
445
00:20:48.760 --> 00:20:50.710
for the blind and such.
446
00:20:50.710 --> 00:20:52.480
Well, it turns out
447
00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:55.210
that I can actually
read it adequately now,
448
00:20:55.210 --> 00:20:58.480
and I'm really glad that I took the time,
449
00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:01.360
even though I had the limitation
early on of reading it
450
00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:03.160
because of physical reasons.
451
00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:06.280
I'm really glad it took the
time to learn it anyway,
452
00:21:06.280 --> 00:21:07.360
to actually produce it
453
00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:11.110
because now I can do
both. That I think as well
454
00:21:11.110 --> 00:21:14.020
as there are many practical
uses for it that I have had.
455
00:21:14.020 --> 00:21:17.230
And one little story that
I like to tell is I was
456
00:21:17.230 --> 00:21:20.140
so happy the first time
I learned the symbol
457
00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.610
for the apostrophe.
458
00:21:21.610 --> 00:21:25.120
Why? Because I have family from the south
459
00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:27.820
and they like to use the word y'all.
460
00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:32.740
Well now I can properly
write the word y'all, where
461
00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:36.640
before if I was writing
something like that,
462
00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:38.110
I wouldn't be able to spell it correctly.
463
00:21:38.110 --> 00:21:39.400
And the reason that's important is
464
00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:41.680
because if I'm writing a text message
465
00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:44.260
and braille screen input,
they see it on their screen,
466
00:21:44.260 --> 00:21:47.920
a standard text, and I
can input it correctly
467
00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.180
and they'll get it correctly.
468
00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.620
So they know that at least they
469
00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.700
know how to spell the word y'all.
470
00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:56.320
You get to communicate in
exactly the way you want.
471
00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:59.410
Yes, thank you. I even
know braille symbols
472
00:21:59.410 --> 00:22:01.510
where I'll just type the happy face
473
00:22:01.510 --> 00:22:03.130
colon, right parenthesis.
474
00:22:03.130 --> 00:22:07.600
There you go. Danette, you
talk to people every day.
475
00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:12.220
So I know, you know, just
some of that discouragement
476
00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.540
that people can have
477
00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:16.240
or some of the reasons they
think about not doing it.
478
00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.190
So what would your thoughts be
479
00:22:18.190 --> 00:22:22.150
of the person who's not quite
ready to pick up the phone?
480
00:22:22.150 --> 00:22:24.340
Well, I want people to just consider
481
00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:27.640
that braille can be just
another tool in their toolbox
482
00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.740
and they're never too old to learn.
483
00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:33.520
And whether they wanna just
learn enough to mark the buttons
484
00:22:33.520 --> 00:22:35.290
or dials on their washing machine,
485
00:22:35.290 --> 00:22:37.953
or if they wanna hold and read a book again.
486
00:22:37.953 --> 00:22:39.460
Braille can be for everyone.
487
00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.710
There's so many different uses for it
488
00:22:41.710 --> 00:22:43.150
and we're here to help.
489
00:22:43.150 --> 00:22:47.200
Awesome. And if you're
wondering then how to get started
490
00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:50.470
with braille, the process is really easy.
491
00:22:50.470 --> 00:22:51.850
You can just give us a call,
492
00:22:51.850 --> 00:22:56.850
800-323-4238,
493
00:22:57.370 --> 00:23:01.840
and we will get you set
up with getting started.
494
00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:04.030
The way it will work is you'll get
495
00:23:04.030 --> 00:23:06.580
your first Braille workbook
496
00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:10.150
and along with that you'll
be listening to some audio
497
00:23:10.150 --> 00:23:13.690
that's going to tell you, what
am I supposed to be doing
498
00:23:13.690 --> 00:23:15.820
with this Braille workbook.
499
00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:20.530
And I hope that you will be
encouraged if this is something
500
00:23:20.530 --> 00:23:22.210
that you've considered before
501
00:23:22.210 --> 00:23:25.240
or maybe it's something you
thought you really couldn't do
502
00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:27.370
and it just wasn't on your radar,
503
00:23:27.370 --> 00:23:31.240
perhaps this discussion
has changed your mind.
504
00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.410
So give us a call.
505
00:23:32.410 --> 00:23:34.330
We'd love to have you learning
506
00:23:34.330 --> 00:23:38.980
to read Braille joining us in
our braille discussion group
507
00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:42.730
and we're very encouraging if
things are looking a little
508
00:23:42.730 --> 00:23:45.410
overwhelming, so give us a call.
509
00:23:45.410 --> 00:23:48.920
Thank you so much to all
of you for joining us.
510
00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:51.710
It's, we had a very full virtual room,
511
00:23:51.710 --> 00:23:54.770
but it's been a delightful
time. Thank you all.
512
00:23:54.770 --> 00:23:56.990
Thank you, Ricky. Thank you. Thank you.
513
00:23:57.830 --> 00:23:59.930
If this conversation helps you, it's
514
00:23:59.930 --> 00:24:01.760
because someone made sure it was here
515
00:24:01.760 --> 00:24:03.230
right when you needed it.
516
00:24:03.230 --> 00:24:06.680
Thank you to Hadley's donors
and thanks for listening.
517
00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:11.030
Got something to say?
518
00:24:11.030 --> 00:24:14.480
Share your thoughts about this
episode of Hadley Presents,
519
00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:17.090
or make suggestions for future episodes.
520
00:24:17.090 --> 00:24:18.800
We'd love to hear from you.
521
00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:23.780
Send us an email at
podcast@hadleyhelps.org.
522
00:24:23.780 --> 00:24:26.372
That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T
523
00:24:26.372 --> 00:24:29.330
@hadleyhelps.org.
524
00:24:30.260 --> 00:24:32.030
Or leave us a message at
525
00:24:32.030 --> 00:24:37.030
847-784-2870.
526
00:24:37.190 --> 00:24:38.150
Thanks for listening.