[optacon-l] Re: An Interesting Message
- From: JBliss Judy <judy@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:13:55 -0800
Dear Listers,
I don't know how many subscribers you have in England, but it's unfortunate
that this gentleman, who founded such a great charity, didn't know of the List
and activities since the discontinuation of the Optacon. I'm sure he'll be
delighted that he may be able to get his Optacons up and running,and to have
this new avenue of communication open to him.
Judy Adams
----- Original Message ---------------
Subject: [optacon-l] An Interesting Message
From: Catherine Thomas <braille@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:12:21 -0500 (EST)
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Good morning, Listers,
>As you know, I am very careful to keep confidential all information as to
>who writes to us privately via my email address. If someone chooses to
>communicate and join the list it's strictly up to them. In this case I'm
>making an exception for the following reasons. The message below is from a
>person who was a very active Optacon user, both for himself and in
>teaching others. I really would like to know how such a person came to be
>so totally misled as to the fate of the Optacon. Also, some of you may
>know this man and wish to lend your support and your contacts. You will
>see by the message the importance of our outreach. Here it is.
>From b.payne234@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Thu Jan 15 06:21:47 2009
>Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:22:04 -0000
>From: brian payne <b.payne234@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: braille@xxxxxxxxx
>Subject: THE OPTACON
>
>dEAR Friends,
>
>I began using the Optacon in 1973 and became a teacher of this device in 1978
>after visiting the US schools and establishments involved with teaching both
>children and adults. I then began teaching in my spare time and used the
>Optacon in my work, mainly to read specifications and reports involved with my
>job. I used the machine until TSI ceased development and sales.
>
>I founded a national charity in England to supply machines to blind adults and
>children and managed to teach a significant number of people to read with the
>device. I was disappointed when development stopped because, in spite of OCR
>devices, there is still a significant need for the Optacon to read documents,
>diagrams and locate signature blocks.
>
>I still have a couple of machines but do not currently use them because the
>batteries are flat. I believe the cost of using these machines has increased
>significantly now and this makes it difficult to continue to keep the product
>in working condition. I am, however, very interested to learn that you are
>reviving the interest in the Optacon and would support this effort in any way
>I could. Unfortunately, the charity Electronic Aids for the Blind (EAB) no
>longer exists so I am no longer in a position to raise funds. I do, however,
>possess considerable skills in using and teaching the use of the Optacon and
>would be pleased to her from you about your plans and what is happening at
>present, and where.
>
>Yours sincerely,
>
>Brian Payne
>
>29 Oleander Close
>Orpington
>Kent
>BR6 7TQ
>England.
>
>Tel: 01689 862332
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-Catherine Thomas
>braille@xxxxxxxxx /
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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