Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Carla.Campbell
From: Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Braille
Message-ID: <9595@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 17 Jan 90 02:07:55 GMT
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Index Number: 6249

 
 GS> Before long Allen knew the three dementional letters and the 
 GS> brail letter that matched it. So by the time he started back to 
 GS> school h idea what braille letters were.  We did this against 
 GS> the advice of Allen's educators because in thier view the three 
 GS> dementional letters would only confuse him. And he was not 
 GS> ready to learn braille.  Around JUNE there was a siminar for 
 GS> the BLIND sponcered by the SCHOOL for the BLIND  of RUSTON La. 
 GS> The speakers were all blind...I had also envited ALLEN'S 
 GS> teacher.....It deffinately had the desired effect... Now at the 
 GS> age of five Allen is reading stories in braille and is using 
 GS> his cane to manuver around school, within the school grounds 
 GS> only.  I whish there were more childrens books in braille. I 
 GS> was shoc call The National Light House For The Blind and was 
 GS> told there books or tapes available for children.  I would say 
 GS> that keeping the faith has brought us a long way and will take 
 GS> us as for as the imagination will allow.

That's marvelous news!  I'm very glad to hear Allen is progressing so
well, and even more pleased to hear of your ingenious ways of helping
him along in spite of the ol' system's reluctance.  YOu do, indeed, show
imagination, and I suspect that will take you quite far!

I know that Barbara has already given you ideas of places to contact for
Braille books, but if you are also interested in taped books, the
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
provides a great many children's titles on cassette.  If you are not
already in contact with your regional library, try calling the state
library in your state's capital and asking for the Department for the
Blind & Phycially Handicapped or "Talking Books Library" and find out
what you need to do to sign up.  While I think the Braille is wonderful
for Allen's continued progress in reading and writing, a few books in
recorded format can suppliment Braille reading and accustom him to
getting written information from several types of source.

Best of luck. Allen sounds like a great kid and he has great parents.
He's lucky to have the type of support you're providing and more power
to you all!

... Happiness is a warm modem.

--
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