Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!synoptics!swbatl!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!5.18!Walter.Siren From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: For what it is worth Message-ID: <15697@bunker.UUCP> Date: 16 Nov 90 16:19:39 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/5.18 - Pontchippi, New Orleans LA Lines: 39 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 11790 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] > is blind could not write. I first thought that if my friend wanted, I could > teach them the rudiments of handwriting. I did not consider the problem of > having no idea of what things looked like. I just took for granted that > everyone could think of a shape and then picture it in their mind. They could, but the problem is not being able to picture a shape, it is not knowint what shape it is in. Forinstance, I know what a circle looks like, but I might not know what an 8 looks like, that it is two circles on top of one another. > assist a totally blind person to write. I also want to know if that is a > worthwhile project. Is it helpful for a person who is blind to know how to > write? Thanks for the signature guide idea. Henry Don't give it up. > WK> You have got me thinking on this one! You are right about WK> the loops causing problems, I would imagine that the teacher would have WK> to select a cursive handwriting style that minimized loops. If I were WK> going to try to teach conceptualization, I think that I would still use WK> the template idea to help initialize the shapes. I would think about WK> placing the template over a clay or plasticine tablet and use a stylus WK> so that the results could be immediately "seen" by the student being WK> able to get a tactile impression of the shape they just created. That could be done with a raised line drawing kit that is sold by the AFB. Also in teaching them, try not to use a fancy hand writing. That is a problem, that some people trying to teach one with a fancy hand writing. So keep it simple, and still understandable. Walter -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!5.18!Walter.Siren Internet: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org