by Polly Abbott, CVRT
On January 4, 2019, the United Nations observed the first official World Braille Day to raise awareness of braille. January 4 marks the birthday of Louis Braille, the creator of the code that brings access to the written word for people with vision loss. This code provides access to information, is a method of […] Read More »
Tags: Braille, braille games, learning braille
by David Flament
I have been fielding a lot of calls about notetakers lately. These are expensive devices, so I encourage you to do your research before purchasing. You can start here with information and links to reviews for three of the major notetaking devices on the market, BrailleNote Touch, BrailleSense Polaris and ElBraille. BrailleNote Touch […] Read More »
Tags: Braille, braille notetakers, notetakers
by Polly Abbott, CVRT
There has been a lot of buzz lately about the ELIA alphabet. The ELIA alphabet shapes are based on the Roman alphabet but contained within “frames” of different shapes (circle, open circle, square, pointy-top with a square bottom). Within the frames are details such as a dot or a line which characterize that particular letter. […] Read More »
Tags: Braille, ELIA
by Polly Abbott, CVRT
Somebody told you it was something you should learn… Your eye doctor suggested it in the same breath as his/her diagnosis. Well-meaning friends and family members think braille is an accessory that goes with your white cane. You feel you should prepare for additional vision loss… “I need to learn this now because I […] Read More »
Tags: Braille
by Tony Colon, Second Sense braille tutor
As never before, advances in technology have made it possible for the visually impaired and blind to take advantage of such items as computers, iPhones and the like. You can accomplish so many tasks without the assistance of a sighted person. It is without a doubt, a great time to be alive. So, when I […] Read More »
Tags: Braille
by Kathy Austin, CVA
Finding a job that pays a living wage (or more) when you have vision loss can be tough, but things are looking up. Rates of employment for people with vision loss have been steadily increasing from 27% in 1997 to 37% in 2007. What are some factors that can improve the outcome for someone to […] Read More »
Tags: #NDEAM, blindness, Braille, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation
by Polly Abbott, Director of Services at Second Sense
CNIB 2013 National Braille Conference I recently returned from the CNIB National Braille Conference in Toronto. The conference is entirely devoted to braille: production, transcription, instruction and how it all intermingles with the new developments in technology. The morning keynote was given by Peter Osborne, Head of International Development, RNIB (Royal National Institute for Blind People). […] Read More »
Tags: Braille, Independence, UEB, Vision loss