Skip to main content
Second Sense - Beyond Vision Loss

Archive: January 2019

Hands holding a set of brailled Uno cards

Making Braille Work for You

January 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment

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 on the Go: A Review of Braille Notetakers

October 15, 2018 | 1 Comment

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: , ,
The Roman alphabet, ELIA and braille.

A New Tactile Alphabet:  Reinventing the Wheel—AGAIN!

May 31, 2018 | Leave a Comment

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: ,
A braille calendar, braille clothing labels, braille playing cards and a jar of nutmeg with a large print and braille label

Why Are You Learning Braille?

March 15, 2017 | Leave a Comment

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:
Tony and Shawn practicing reading braille in their study group

Why do You Need Braille? Let’s Count the Ways!

January 4, 2016 | 2 Comments

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:
Graph showing employment rates for people with vision loss rising from 27% in 1997 to 37% in 2007.

Employment with Vision Loss: What are the Chances?

October 8, 2015 | Leave a Comment

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: , , , ,
Loretta proofs her braille at the braillerwriter

Are You Ready for Unified English Braille?

November 20, 2013 | Leave a Comment

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: , , ,