Re: Modern Optacon
- From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 07:23:46 -0800
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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