You certainly can write very fast with a slate especially if you use regular
notebook paper.  I used to use two sheets of notebook paper and of course
since its not as heavy as braille paper, you can write very fast.  


 
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Terri Pannett
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 5:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: braille writer

Dear Kevin,

You said, "I'm a bit faster than some who write fast with a pen, if that
makes any sense."

If a sighted person is writing long-hand with a pen or pencil and doesn't
use any abbreviations, then it could be possible.  But if the sighted person
is writing shorthand with a pencil or pen, then it isn't possible because I
know sighted people who were able to write shorthand 200 words per minute
with a pencil or pen.

I would like to know your secret for being able to write so fast with a
slate.  I have never tested myself, but I think my speed, at best, was 10
words a minute.  I couldn't write as fast as sighted kids who used pencils. 
Maybe with practice I could have learned to do it, but I'm not sure. 
Logically, it takes more time for a blind person to write a character on a
slate than a sighted person using a pencil because each dot must be punched
by hand whereas a sighted person uses strokes to write with.  For example, a
braille q uses 5 dots but a hand-written q might take a couple strokes.

That's why I couldn't keep up with a slate.  Can you imagine taking verbatim
dictation of a passage in Spanish using a slate and stylus writing grade 1
braille?  I knew I couldn't do it and that's why the high school kids HAD to
put up with my brailler.  I was not allowed to use a tape recorder.

If you were able to keep up with a slate and stylus, more power to you.  But
if you couldn't, then I can see why people would get frustrated with you.


Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.