Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!tymix!tardis!oliveb!bunker!wtm
From: covici@ccs.covici.com (John Covici)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Braille Transcription Poletics
Message-ID: <15938@handicap.news>
Date: 3 Jun 91 04:03:22 GMT
Sender: news@bunker.isc-br.com
Reply-To: covici@ccs.covici.com (John Covici)
Organization: Covici Computer Systems
Lines: 31
Approved: wtm@hnews.fidonet.org
Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 15938

Gary.Petraccaro@f90.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Petraccaro) writes:

> -> In a message to Mary Otten <05-14-91 22:57> Susan Goldfield wrote:

> -> SG> Mary, you have an excellent point in reference to the
> -> SG> advantages of using braille. I can't mention any names, but
> -> SG> I know someone who is in high school and can't spell.
> 
>      Fyi, I'm hearing stories just like yours about sighted students.  This
> one can't be laid solely at braille's doorstep.  In partial agreement with
> you as far as the value of braille and being able to spell, even so.  The
> reason I say partial has to do with braille's use of contractions which I
> feel may also contribute to not being able to spell.  Braille has several
> words which can be represented by only a couple letters.  You can forget
> how to spell those.  Well, I can <grin>.

I think the rules of Braille need to be changed, for just that
reason.  I was at a conference of the Braille Research & Literacy
Foundation last September where it was pointed out that an 11-year
old child has to learn several different Braille codes to do his
every day school work.  This is certainly rediculous.

It's also true that even the sighted world is becoming more
illiterate every year.

         John

         John Covici
          covici@ccs.covici.com