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From: Al.Hoffman@p0.f143.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Al Hoffman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: cursors
Message-ID: <13436@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 12 Aug 90 03:59:57 GMT
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Index Number: 9761

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi:

I live in Alexandria and work for the Internal Revenue Service.

I attended the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton Iowa,
from approximately 1968-77, and learned braille, mobility skills,
sports skills, but the school was rapidly becoming a dumping ground
for the multi-handicapped.  I say dumping ground because in many
cases thats just what seemed to be happening.  The rehab staff
there didn't appear to be able to accomplish much with many of the
students, while I as a ten year old could get the "co-residents"
with many varied disabilities and problems to accomplish lots.

Example:  One student about age 9 had a brain tumor, and was
rapidly osing his sight, he also had a severe stuttering problem,
which the teachers could not resolve to anybodies satisfaction.
However, I could simply ask him to "slow down dude," and if he
didn't, I'd simply repeat the request, and after a few tries, he'd
slow-down, and could remain at the slow rate for longer periods
than he ever could with the teachers.  Unfortunately he passed away
several months later, as did many of the students there.

I learned a lot of "life" there, seeing friends pass away at age
6-13 is a real "eye-opener," as you probablly understand.  I think
blind schools are good for basics, but very poor for social
skills--unless they are propperly operated, so that the students
living at the school are integrated with sighted society, not as a
separate entity, but just a part.  Its a difficult task, but its
not impossible.

Anyway, back to the subject line:

I have used Verbal Dos (and the newere versions), Flipper, and
others.  I think you'll like Flipper more than VB, but try out
Vocal Eyes, as well--Doug seems more interested in his costumers to
me, and I don't use either program.

If you want to talk about schools, computing, whatever, you can
call me voice at 703-765-9294, or data at 703-768-2751, or work
voice at 202-535-4720.  No, just because I work for IRS I don't
take money from everybody!  ha ha ha.

Oh, send me a wish list you can think of that your school would
like to accomplish, or start, or whatever--I'm interested in
educational opportunities for the blind at all levels since I went
through a lot of educational experiences so far.

--
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