Learning Braille as a child
My Life In The Light Of Braille
Author: Rilind Dragoshi, Moncton NB
Braille has helped me greatly in my life. Ever since I was young, it has helped me. From the time when I was just learning to read and write to the days when I began writing long stories and reading large novels, braille has played a great part in my development. It was the first thing that I understood when it came to blindness. Even before I understood the importance of my cane and even the fact that I was blind, I understood that I couldn't write with a pencil or read print and instead needed to read these raised dots that are known as braille.
I came to Canada from Kosovo, a country in southeast Europe. My family and I moved to Canada after the war started in Kosovo in 1999. Had I always lived in Kosovo, I would have had to go to a boarding school for the blind that was located two hours away from the city in which I lived. I would have been able to come home twice a month, once every second weekend. Also, I definitely wouldn't have had the opportunity to use the technology I use here in Canada.
After arriving in Canada in May of 1999, I only had to wait four months until I started school. School was a new place for me, because I had just started Kindergarten in that year. I was working hard to learn English during that time, because I only knew how to speak Albanian. I also needed to know how to read and write. My first Itinerant teacher, Jim Parsons immediately started teaching me many things including how to use the Braille code. It took around three years, but after that period of time I had managed to learn how to read and write very well in addition to learning how to speak English.
When I had just started school, I enjoyed many small books by means of braille. This continued to expand, as I got older. I eventually enhanced my reading skills and therefore read larger and more exciting books. I also wrote many good stories because of the fact that I could write braille. As I grow even more in my knowledge of braille, I have developed the skill of using braille in my imagination. One example of a time when I used this skill was when I watched the second Harry Potter Movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets. In the scene of the movie where Harry Potter was communicating with Tom Riddle through text appearing as answers to his questions on the diary that was previously Tom Riddle's, I could picture myself as Harry Potter placing my hands on the diary. I could then picture myself asking the questions Harry Potter asked and then being able to read the text that came as Tom Riddle's reply to the questions in braille on the diary cover.
As a 14 year old, I have learned how to use assistive technology. I use a laptop with JAWS for Windows 7.1 as well as a Braille Note M Power. In spite of all the technology I currently use all the time in my daily life, I know that in order to use computer technology, you obviously also need to know how to read and write. Since I am blind, the only way I could learn these two skills were by means of learning how to read and to write braille.
Despite the fact that I use so much technology today in addition to braille, I always look forward to the times when I open up a new book that is braille and not electronic. A couple of months ago, I remember receiving a brailled book from Los Angeles, California. I remember opening it and reading the story in raised braille dots. Even though technology is something I use a lot, I still enjoy reading a braille book.
Even though I use a computer with a synthesizer today and may use even more advanced devices in the future due to technological advancements, I will never forget my first advancement in technology; learning how to use a brailler and how to read and write the Braille code. As I think of the tremendous importance of the Braille Code in my life, I realize that it would not have been there for me and millions of other visually impaired individuals in the world, if it wasn't for an individual from Coupvray, France who was born on January 4th, 1809; Louis Braille.
I Love Knowing Braille
Author: Carm Powers, Moncton NB
I love knowing Braille! Having Braille makes it not so scary, knowing that I may someday lose all of my vision. In the late 1970’s I tried to learn Braille while working on a Canada Works project. I was around thirty years old at the time. I had begun to lose my vision in 1970. At that time I tried to learn it with my eyes instead of my fingers. I guess I just wasn’t ready.
I was told I would eventually lose my vision completely because of macular degeneration. So I started again a few years ago.
I thought it would be hard, seeing as how I was older, and things don’t get easier as you get older. But it was the opposite with me. I found it quite easy and I progressed quickly. I have one story about learning to write Braille with a slate and stylus. You sort of have to think of Braille backwards when you write that way. This other lady and I were learning together from Lynn at the CNIB I turned my head backwards and tried to see in my mind how the Braille would look if I looked at it from that position. Everyone laughed so hard at me. We still laugh about it all the time.
I want to read well enough so that I can read books to my grandchildren. Right now I can’t read quite fast enough to keep their attention, so I have to practice more. They have a French Braille teacher at the CNIB and I am going to start learning French Braille so I can read French to the grandchildren as well.
I can still read print—large, large print using magnifiers. The print gets larger as my vision gets worse. There is something I have done to make it easy for me to learn. I like to make the dots on paper so I can see them. To help myself learn the contractions I have set up my lessons in WordPerfect. I use Control W and go into the section where they give you the symbols for different languages. Then I construct the Braille cell on the screen and make the dots for the contraction beside it. Then I write the contraction in forty-point type beside that. Lynn suggested this to another student, but it was all Greek to him. But to me it was so easy!
I think a lot of public buildings should have more Braille on elevators and on signs. When I go to see the doctor, there’s no Braille on the elevator, and that’s a medical clinic. I always hope there will be somebody else in the elevator. One day I got on with my white cane and another man got on and asked me to press 4. So I asked him to press 4 for me. I tell my doctor that my blood pressure wouldn’t be so high if he would get Braille on his elevator. I wouldn’t have so much stress. I tell him that if he gets braille on his elevator, he should check with the CNIB to make sure it’s done right.
A lifetime with Braille as primary asset
Author: Penny Leclair, Ottawa
Braille has always been a part of my life; though things have changed in how I access Braille. As a child I used Braille to learn to read and write, so it was an automatic way to keep information and read information. My hearing declined so that I no longer could listen to books; I embraced Braille even more as I depended on the dots to provide most of the news and reading enjoyment. I have always considered a system that uses Braille to file information to be most practical. Before computer technology, all my recipes were stored in three-ring binders, and my appointments were stored on hard paper. Now, of course, computers perform the filing function, but knowing and using Braille is still important.
I think the most creative way I devised to use Braille was when I labeled a
skeleton with letters that corresponded to a list of names of bones of the
body. I studied anatomy, and learned 212 bones of the body by labeling a
skeleton with Braille letters, taped to each bone, along with sheets of
paper that explained each label in more detail. I doubt I could have learned
the body as well, if I had not used Braille in the system of displaying
information that was totally meaningful to me.
As technology improves our lives, it does not diminish the value of knowing
and using Braille. I use a communication method called British Two Hand manual, because I am
Deaf-Blind. This system is based on touching parts of the hand where each
location stands for a letter of the alphabet. I use Contractions of Grade 2
Braille to short form words, making it faster to receive information.
Utilizing contractions of the Braille code has made a big difference in how
accurately I can receive information at a reasonable speed. One thing I know
about myself and Braille is that we will remain linked for ever.
Getting an education can be a challenge when you have "special" needs. For
me, back in the late 1990's, it was a serious challenge to locate qualified
Intervenors. An intervenor ( a person who uses tactile sign language to help
Deaf-Blind people to communicate with others, or if enough hearing might
repeat at close range what is said.) When I began attending classes at
Algonquin College in Ottawa, I had to help train interested people to be
intervenors. To start off I used to show them Braille contractions to short
form words. I would email to them, using short formed words, actually taken
from using the grade 2 Braille code. They learned the British Two Hand
Manual, and practiced, this using short forms. It took many hours to have
them progress to a fast speed, so we started by using a laptop computer, and
a Braille display. I would pack all three pieces of equipment, my personal
equipment, into a brief case, and travel from class to class. I would sit
next to the person using the keyboard of the laptop, typing into a word
processing program. I would connect my Braille display to the laptop, and
read as the intervenor typed, using Braille contractions. All this was done
without any of us having any experience about how to! It was a challenge for
us to maintain speed, but this system was fully dependent on Braille. We
moved from using a laptop to using the sign language, as the new intervenors
became more automatic with the use of Braille contractions and the Two Hand
Manual alphabet.
Today the intervenors use the Braille forms of words when they write personal notes for themselves, finding it a very convenient way to produce accurate notes in writing.
The strange thing is that if I indicated someone would have to learn Braille contractions, they would be intimidated, so I stopped telling the new intervenor they were learning Braille short forms. Only after they become proficient, do I explain to them that they are using contractions of the Braille code! Braille is perceived is being extremely difficult to master. It really is not harder than learning any logical system of writing or communicating.
I Was Looking For A Teaching Job
Author: Joey Baird, Pocologan NB
Braille has had an enormous influence on my life. My first introduction to Braille was watching a friend of my mum’s as she read recipes and books in Braille. I was amazed that she could make sense out of the dots! Her delicious meals were evidence that she could!
After being at home bringing up children, I was looking for a teaching job. There was a vacancy at APSEA and an itinerant teacher that I knew was telling me about the job, which sounded interesting – except that I would have to learn Braille. She said I would have no problem; I applied.
Learning Braille was like climbing a mountain. I began on the grassy slopes. The letters came easily but the rules were steeper terrain. I was learning on my own, by correspondence, and I thought that the examination would consist of a Perkins Brailler and some Braille paper in a big gym – with an exam, the contents of which I would have to know. There were so many rules – and I did not have any idea of the WHY of the rules! I climbed, and the mountain got steeper and craggy.
My husband, Gordon, was supportive. He cleared two hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings when he did the homework with our children while I closeted myself with Braille. (I worked a lot of weekends too!) I was loosing confidence; the mountain was very difficult – like a sheer rock face - and I could see no way to finish climbing to the top. Then I heard about the Braille program through Nebraska State University. I signed up and it was like a safety rope from above to help me climb. The people there were always positive and encouraging and again, progress was made. Finally I completed the course and was ready to challenge the CNIB exam. I was allowed to use my text to look up things! By this time I knew by heart many rules – and I understood WHY many of the rules were needed – after all, there are only six dots! I completed the exam, and then used the book to check that I was correct.
The day that I received news that I had passed the CNIB Braille Examination was wonderful. I was feeling I was at the top of the mountain and I could see the other side – but there was yet another part of the mountain to climb. Nemeth Code came next, but I had learned how to cope: I applied to Nebraska State University where the people there, again, gave so much encouragement and confidence that I climbed easily to the top of the mountain. A later course in Nemeth Code from Judi Johnston at APSEA came easily to me. Lately, I have helped teachers’ assistants with English Literary Braille and Nemeth Code they have taken from Hadley. Hadley courses seem to be excellent and the books they provide are nicely laid out and easy to consult.
I love to teach Braille! It is a challenge at times to keep it fun – but what a joyful challenge! There is such a thrill to see a student make sense of the Braille and to begin to use it. I am pleased to be able to tell my students the “why” of the rules, to help him or her make sense of them. There are now many methods and materials available to help teachers of Braille. How nice to see a child able to curl up and enjoy a Braille book.
I have enjoyed many creative students. I now am able to do some Braille Art that we have played with and worked out. For example, we can make Christmas trees and candy canes on cards!
Strides have been made in providing our students with tactile diagrams. More time is needed to teach the interpretation of tactile drawings and diagrams. Many are based on the interpretation of a sighted person, without thought to the experiences of the kinaesthetic learner.
I am pleased to find Braille appearing in elevators and on signs in our daily environment. I am delighted to know that I was a part of helping students learn Braille so they could enjoy reading and writing in their lives.
I must also mention that through all of my teaching and training at APSEA, I received strong encouragement from many people, especially Dr. Ann MacCuspie, who is still working to improve the lives of students who are blind or visually impaired. Ann is inspirational!
When I am teaching Braille to students there are lots of little fun innuendoes to help. The children, also, often come up with their own ideas to help them to classify and remember letters. For example, the letter “g” uses the top four dots that feel like a little square and the letter “g” stands for the number seven. I tell my students that my husband’s name is Gordon, which starts with “g” and that he has seven children – and he is a little square! I also tell them that they should never forget “j” - that “j” is the most important letter in the alphabet because it starts my name, Joey. However, that has backfired with students teasing me that “j” also stands for zero!
We always think of ‘K’ as “kangaroo k” – with a space in the middle for the baby kangaroo. An “l” does not have a space because it does not have a baby in a pouch – “l” is more like a little line…The Braille alphabet is a fertile place for imaginations to flourish!
Me Read Braille?
Author: Beverley Berger, Nobleton, ON
Me? Read braille? Are you crazy, braille is for blind people and I am not blind, I just can't see! Those were my initial comments when a long-suffering Orientation and Mobility instructor suggested the idea to me. The instructor, whose name is Rosie, quietly reiterated that I should give it some more thought. Never! I was determined to be the most unblind, totally blind woman in Canada! Several years passed as I came to terms with carrying the darkness with me. Typically I was angry, bitter, frustrated and very stubborn. The transition, at 30 years of age, from being a "sightie" to a "blindie" was painful. I was, however, a wife, a mother and responsible for a large house. My determination to retain my preblindness way of life created an unhappy, stressful atmosphere in my home. One of the greatest challengers of my stubborness was my young daughter. At 4 years of age, Stephanie could not comprehend why it was that Mom could no longer tackle the household chores as before. She was particularly annoyed about cookies. Prior to my vision loss, the cookie jar was always full - always. And when the jar contained only crumbs, well Stephanie was shocked. Why can't you make chocolate chip cookies like before she challenged.
Not wanting to disappoint my girl and to prove to everyone [including myself] that I could easily produce several dozen fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies I tried. This venture into "baking blind" was an exercise in frustration to say the least. I managed some creative measuring manoeuvres for the dry ingredients, the electric mixer took care of the butter, sugar and eggs. I was progressing quite well until it came time to segregate baking powder and baking soda and salt. And the cinnamon, which jar held the cinnamon? It was at that point when I discovered that I would be obliged to do a "sniff/taste routine" each time I wanted to bake - not just cookies but anything! My mind scrolled back to Rosie's soft voice, "Bev it would be really helpful for you to learn braille".
I look back now and after 25 years I can see the wisdom of Rosie. She understood that I would find a need for the dreaded braille and I did. In learning braille I found it was the simplest, most efficient way for me to label pantry items. The "sniff/taste routine" is long gone for braille allows me to literally find my baking needs at my fingertips! Humble thanks to Rosie, Stephanie and Louis Braille. Cookies anyone?
Braille Can Change An Entire Life
Author: Laetitia Mfamobani Vancouver, BC
In general, people know Braille just as a method of writing used by blind people. That’s true, but in my opinion, Braille is more than a simple writing method. Braille can change an entire life. It can make someone happy.
This was my case. I was born in Gabon (Africa). At age 12 I lost my sight and stopped my studies for five years. I was so sad and had no hope.
In 1996, a famous lady started a foundation for handicapped children and teenagers. I went there to learn Braille. After some weeks, I was able to restart my studies. At this moment I thought, hope is possible now. In 2000, I got my high school diploma (BPC) and 2003 my college diploma in math and philosophy (Baccalauriat). My good grades permited me to obtain a scholarship to study in Sherbrooke University (Quebec Canada(. I got a Bachelor degree in political sciences one year ago.
Now, I’m learning English at Vancouver Community College. When I finish, I will go back to University to take a Master’s degree.
Braille transformed my life. Sixteen years ago, nobody could imagine that my life would have been what it is today. Braille has been very useful for me.
I Wanted To Be Independent
Author: Khadija Mohamedbhai, Brantford ON
I have been using Braille since 1997. I use it for a lot of things, recipes, phone numbers, notes when doing presentations, making short notes for myself when I am out with friends and family, just about anything you would want to write down with a pen and paper. I am currently studying to be a rehabilitation teacher. I am attending Mohawk College. My practicum will begin in April 2008 and I will be finished and ready to look for a job in August 2008.
I grew up in Tanzania. I learned Braille by correspondence from the Hadley School for the Blind. It took a long time, about a year, because the lessons had to travel back and forth between Tanzania and the United states by mail. I was 17 years old and had finished high school. I had struggled to use print with my poor eyesight. We didn’t have much technology in Tanzania. We borrowed a Perkins Brailler from a primary school for blind children.
I wanted to be independent. The CNIB in Edmonton accepted me as an international student and so I came to Canada. I lived with family friends and adapted to the Canadian life style in a very short time. I completed a diploma in office administration at nor quest College in Edmonton so that I could meet the entry requirements for Mohawk College.
In my opinion, Braille is very important for any blind person because these days a lot of public places are implementing the use of Braille for example, in the elevators, bank machines, washroom signs, restaurant menus etc. I learned to use a slate and stylus in Edmonton and I find it very convenient. I don’t carry my laptop with me everywhere I go but I do carry slate and stylus in my purse every where I go. I also use JAWS and Openbook, but I still need Braille. As a Rehabilitation Instructor, one of my duties will include teaching Braille. I am looking forward to teaching my clients and share the joy of independence with the use of Braille.
Out Of Despair
Author: Edna L. Perry Winnipeg, MB
Nearly 20 years ago, I became blind. The news that I would not be able to read the printed word again was traumatic for me. I was lost. At every turn in life I ran into the blank world of not being able to understand what was going on around me. What should I do?
My life up to this moment had been crowded with the visual. I was a Priest in the Anglican Church of Canada with the responsibility of a rural parish. How could I possibly keep up my obligations?
I had also been a School Principal, teaching Speed Reading to a separate group. I thought my life was shattered! What could I possibly do? I was offered braille by the Winnipeg CNIB. A wonderful teacher came out to my house every Friday. At last I had something to wrap my brain around. I was so thankful!
I was so fortunate in the fact that my husband supported me in all my ups and downs. We have three supportive sons and daughters-in-laws.
Braille became my waking and nighttime thoughts. My 5 year old Grandson spent Sunday afternoons with me. He was very quick to pick up on the fundamentals of the dot system. He was always one step ahead of me. When we came to the story of Louis Braille, he was as impressed as I was to learn how that very courageous young man not only overcame his handicap, but made the lives of others more meaningful and productive.
Braille saved my sanity! It also gave me a purpose in life. I have tried to keep Louis Braille's wonderful example of courage and creativeness at the forefront of my vision.
I broke my right wrist and three years later broke my left one. This affected the sensitivity of my fingers. So my grasp of the braille reading, was slowly lost. I was blessed with the gift of another great teacher, who came out faithfully each week, this time to teach me the use of the computer. Braille, however, has been the true tool that saved my sanity when I needed that light to pull me out of despair.
Thank you Louis Braille! Looking at the future, I can not see that my use of braille will be prominent in my life. The electronic age offers so many other shortcuts. The impact of braille however for so many of us will not be lost. The support of that fine organization, CNIB, has been a beacon of light to so many.
I label MyFood
Author: Eunice Smitht, London, ON
I learned Braille so that I could identify foods. I thought I should know what I was getting out of my freezer, and what was in the cans I was opening. I had thawed a package of beef and found that it was ham. I had opened green beans and found that they were pork and beans. My family thought maybe I shouldn’t be living alone but I had been a widow for twenty-six years. I decided I was going to survive somehow.
I lost my sight two years ago. The process took 24 hours. It was the optic nerve. It was very frustrating because my vision had been perfect. I was terrified to use my stove. I was frustrated because I would be trying to focus on a bus sign and people wouldn’t understand what I was looking at. That was before I started using a white cane. I have had to accept things. It was hard to accept help cleaning my house. I used to be Head of Environment and I wanted it to be clean.
I have great family support. My family went with me to Braille lessons with Mary Ann. If my daughter couldn’t go, her partner went. Both of them learned Braille an so did my granddaughter. I am not a great reader. I read a letter and then go back over it again to make sure of what it is. But I label my foods. My stove, microwave and TV controls are labelled as well.
Now Mary Ann is teaching me computers. I never typed before, so I have to learn the keyboard. I am just getting to know the position of all the numbers. I am learning email too. I’m not good at sending yet, but I can reply to anybody who sends an email to me.
The Importance Of Braille
Author: Thomas Woodward, Milton ON
I am a person who has made my mistakes in life and am now paying for those mistakes. I am 32 years old, and for years I took advantage of the sight I had. At 16 years old I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up being shot in the through my left eye. My life fell to pieces, I got into trouble with the law for stealing and fraud. In 2005 I developed a rare disorder called sympathetic ophthalmia, which has cost me my total sight. In January 2007 my past caught up with me and I was arrested and charged with fraud and sentenced to ten months in jail. I was sent from there to London where I received an additional two years. To where I am now, Maple Hurst, Milton Ontario, I was transferred to now await trial in Kitchener for charges I am actually not guilty of, defrauding of $700. So as I sat in jail I learned to read Braille and to use m white cane and to develop some skills and techniques to independent living. But I found there is nothing to do with my time here as I am not allowed Braille books. The jail says they are a security problem because of how they are bound and because I am a blind person and not allowed my cane n the living units I am kept isolated in the infirmary unit. So with no radio, television books or even a cell partner to talk to I sit and do nothing all day. I am allowed out for a shower and a 20-minute period in the yard by myself. CNIB did get them to approve a slate and stylus for me to write, and I can and I can receive Braille as long as the pages are not bound together. So I pass my time writing to Paul, Bob and Sharlene in Calgary. I always loved reading and passed a lot of time doing so. Now I have learned to read Braille, at least I will still have that joy in my life. So Braille has become part of my everyday life, and I love it. I think of all the important things that I need Braille for and realize that without Braille blind people everywhere would be forced to rely on other people to do a lot of things for us. A simple task like getting an elevator, using a microwave, or keeping track of phone numbers are but a few things I rely on Braille for as well as labelling things so I know what is what. Louis Braille, in his search for continued wisdom and freedom, has given all who choose to learn Braille to be self-supportive and have their independence. So I make a toast to Louis Braille, a man who, though his struggles, created the blind revolution, granting all those who choose to learn Braille a continued chance for independence, employment and joy, as well as to stand proud and say, “I can do this.” Allowing us to have hope and faith and to continue in our lifelong search for knowledge and wisdom. Next time you go to use your microwave, close your eyes and try to use it, or when you get on an elevator, likewise, try to use that. Sight is something we all who ever had it have taken great advantage of, and paid no attention or thought to what we would do without it. Take me, I knew my sight was going and I panicked. I resorted to my old ways and stole money and defrauded money from people because all I could think was, “What will I do for money once my vision is gone, and what about all the things I will never get to se?” So I stole and I travelled and I saw some stuff that I am truly grateful for. But what I didn’t think was how much more there was for me to see after. Through Braille I have learned to see the world and I have learned that without my sight I see more acutely the things in life that matter, such as family, friends, employment and just sitting alone enjoying a good book in the warm sun. So the next time you see a blind person, or you use an elevator, remember the importance of Braille. Through reading, wisdom is achieved. Without Braille, that knowledge would be impossible to achieve.
So if you live in an apartment building, look in the elevator and on the mailboxes for Braille. If it is not there, stand up and say to the others, “Let’s get this done so we may all use these.” Do the same at work.
If you have a desire to learn, and want to achieve wisdom, take a Braille course and learn our language, because it is a language created and developed by love and true passion.
