In addition to the points you make, there are other factors that can
bring litteracy down and that is poor teaching and lack of competant
instruction. A person can and many have learned to be just as effective
with other forms of communications as someone who uses braille. The
unemployment rate among the blind has remained at its current high since
long before technology took its tole.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Obrien" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 11:45 AM
Subject: A boost for Braille
There may be several problems with the Newsweek article on
braille
literacy.
First, doesn't the 10 percent braille reading figure apply to the total
universe of blind persons in the United States?
Second, how much of the lack of braille literacy in the population of
blind
children and youth is the result of cognitive issues, resulting from the
condition that also caused their blindness? For many blind children
born
today, blindness is there least important concern, do to other severe
disabilities.
Third, just because one prefers a media other than braille as a primary
means of receiving information doesn't mean that person is a poor
braille
user. Over all, I generally use cassette tape and computer media with
speech output to read the vast majority of my information. However, if
I
need to read something aloud, or identify an item, such as an envelope,
or
if I want to efficiently read my financial records or digest math or
certain
technical material, I use braille. If I wasn't a decent braille reader,
I
would have found it difficult or impossible to be employed effectively.
Mike
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