Re: Modern Optacon
- From: dg140@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Charles Pond)
- To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 14:51:28 -0500 (EST)
Who is the list owner for the pb-l list, and what is the owner's address?
Thanks,
Charles
---
>Mike, I'm intrigued by your assertion that numerous blind people could
>never adequately master the use of the Optacon. I wasn't aware of that. I
>happened to be introduced to the Optacon back in elementary school in the
>late 70's; and though I remember having trouble with it in the beginning, I
>grew to be able to read relatively quickly with it. Could it be that the
>age at which a person learns the Optacon impacts their ability to use
>it? I would suspect so, as I know it's harder to gain proficiency in
>Braille the older you are.
>
>And that's something else I've been mulling over, too. I recognize a
>number of names on this list from the PBD-L list and can't help but wonder
>if there's any correlation between the ability to read Braille and the
>ability to use the Optacon. Please, someone, tell me if I'm totally off-base.
>
>Oh, and btw, my spatial abilities are not very good. I tend to have a lot
>of trouble with mobility.
>Rachel
>At 10:23 AM 11/18/2004, you wrote:
>>Olga:
>>
>>If we are to ever have a new Optacon, we must avoid the hype with which
>>TeleSensory surrounded it. In particular, we must face the fact that, for
>>largely unknown reasons, numerous blind persons found it impossible to learn
>>to use the Optacon. In saying this, I don't think I could be accused of
>>being an Optacon detractor; I've used an Optacon since 1979 and it was my
>>eight-hours-a-day companion on the job until 1984. I dread the day when mine
>>dies. But I think we must be realistic and acknowledge that some -- nay,
>>quite a few -- blind persons had the Devil's own time learning to use the
>>Optacon.
>>
>>As I say, I have never seen scientifically-valid research (if one can even
>>have such with a small population such as that of the blind). However, one
>>clue may be gleaned from anecdotal evidence of one former Optacon instructor
>>of my acquaintance. She observed that those who travelld well generally
>>learned the Optacon easily; those who did not travel well had a much tougher
>>time learning to use the Optacon.
>>
>>I think that we must acknowledge that not only must we come up with the
>>capital to produce and market a new Optacon but we will have to overcome
>>this training problem or else the Optacon will be just another expensive
>>technology.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Ollie" <sinisorsa@xxxxxxxxxx>
>>To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 6:41 AM
>>Subject: Re: Modern Optacon
>>
>>
>> > Beth, I was born blind, and I read Braille all my life - until I learned
>> > the Optacon!
>> > I assure you, it can be done! And there's nothing like feeling the "real
>> > thing", the real shape of characters and symbols under your finger!!!
>> > It narrows the gap, even from a psychological point of view, between us
>> > and
>> > sighted people.
>> > At leas, that's my personal experience.
>> > Chers,
>> > Olga
>> >
>> >
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>> >
>>
>>
>>To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
>>
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>
>
>To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
>
>optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the
>quotes) in the message subject.
>
>Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to:
>
>optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes)
>in the message subject.
>
>
>
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
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