Re: Modern Optacon
- From: "Clinton Miller" <clinton.miller@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 18:01:10 -0500
Way to go, Rachel. I love it when someone throws a wrench in the works!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rachel" <rachel720@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: Modern Optacon
> 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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> >
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>
> To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
>
> optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the
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>
> Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message
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>
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
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