News and issues on the disabled 18 Nov 2024
Azmi Anuar
Contents
1. The Times of India - Countries agree on inclusive education for blind people
2. CBC Canada - I had coke-bottle glasses as a kid. My low vision has affected how I see the world, too
3. The Sun US Edition - Blind ex-Home Secretary David Blunkett, 77, badly injured after falling into gap on platform at tube station
4. The Latin Times USA - Florida Health Care Nurse Stole Over $140,000 from Elderly Blind Patient, Spent Money On Her Pet: Sheriff
5. Trinidad & Tobago Guardian - Empowering blind and visually impaired men in T&T
6. Traverse City Record-Eagle USA - UNIQUE VISION Young, blind painter sees life as one of service to customers
7. Swindon Advertiser UK - Blind man left injured after Regent Street e-bike crash
8. Wandsworth Council UK - Road Safety and Engineering Team walk blind through Wandsworth
9. North Edinburgh News UK - Blind volunteer
10. Pittsburgh Union Progress USA - Pittsburgh Regional Transit offers smartphone app to help visually impaired riders
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1. The Times of India - Countries agree on inclusive education for blind people16 Nov 2024
Ahmedabad: The first world conference by the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) hosted in India concluded in the city on Saturday. The organisers said that the primary message that resonated throughout the discussions over three days was the importance of education for persons with visual impairment.
Sixty-two countries participated in the seminar.
On the final day, Dr Bhushan Punani, general secretary of the Blind People's Association (BPA), was conferred the ICEVI International Leadership Award for his contribution to the field. He became the first recipient from India to receive the award.
"Education is the first step towards inclusion and assimilation, and over the days, the country representatives realised that several of the countries faced similar issues where education is not right-based, not inclusive, and not using technology as much as it should. Today, assistive technologies are available but not affordable for all. Parents and civil service organisations (CSOs) should also be made an integral part of the discussion," said an organiser.
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2. CBC Canada - I had coke-bottle glasses as a kid. My low vision has affected how I see the world, too16 Nov 2024
As far as I can tell, the world perceives vision loss in black and white terms. You are either sighted or blind; you can either see or not see.
Movies often depict people with vision loss as fully blind replete with dark glasses and a white cane.
What about those of us who have partial vision and are able to navigate without the accoutrements of blindness? That said, I do have a white cane for identification purposes when travelling.
Growing up in white bread Newfoundland — homemade white bread that is — I was the only brown child in a class of white faces. To be fair, as a child of South Asian immigrants, this alone wasn't just my experience. It was also that of my brothers and our South Asian friends. But the difference is they could see normally. I was the odd one out with my coke-bottle glasses and subsequent lack of self-awareness.
Having low vision carries the added weight of social awkwardness, which is a handicap in itself. We learn that eye contact with others is the first point of engagement. Not so in my case.
One recent Saturday, I found myself strolling through a fall fair. A man approached me.
"Hi Tara, I saw your daughter by the book stand," he said to me.
"And you are?" I asked, studying the well-dressed older man for clues, but none came to mind.
"You can't tell by my voice?" he chuckles after taking a leisurely sip of his coffee. "We met at church a while ago."
I felt like saying, "How self-important are you?" as my indignation rose.
"Excuse me?" I said instead, "Who do you think you are, Louis Armstrong?"
Now he tells me his name. But, it was too late. The damage was done. We could have had a nice conversation if he introduced himself in the first place, instead of playing games.
What people don't realize is that some voices are similar to others and no one should assume their particular voice sounds are unique.
As a customer
As I sauntered through the bake stalls, I assume the vendor addresses me when she asks "What would you like to buy?"
I opened my mouth to speak but am cut short when the woman beside me gives her order.
I suppose what happened was that the vendor looked at the other customer when she posed her question.
When I'm in a cluster of three or more, unless someone directs a question specific to me, I don't know whom they are addressing. It happens all the time. Once that customer decided to buy out half the stall, the vendor approached me. I chose a chocolate cupcake.
"Those chocolate cupcakes are my best sellers," the vendor says with a smile in her voice.
Now that I know for sure she is speaking to me, I can engage in friendly chit-chat.
With cupcake in hand, I head to a stall selling colorful afghans. There is one green and yellow one that catches my eye. As an aside, people are surprised to learn that my colour perception is as good as any full-sighted person. Apparently my congenital cataracts don't mess around with that.
"Is this afghan for sale?" I ask the vendor when she finishes serving the man ahead of me.
No response.
I repeat my question.
"No mama, she shook her head," my daughter said as she came up behind me.
I turned away, annoyed.
"If she's not going to use her words, then she's not making any sale to me."
How can I discern a response when people nod or shake their head?
A snapshot
This is a snapshot of day to day life.
When I had a book signing some time ago, a friend of my mother's asked me who picks out my clothes for me. I sensed her sizing up my pink blazer and black pants with a handbag and shoes to match. Was I too matchy-matchy for her taste?
Taken aback, I said, "I do?"
"Oh, you're so well put-together. I would never have thought," she replied.
"Thought what?" I asked, enjoying her discomfort as she simmered in her preconceived bias.
"I didn't think you had the vision to know. Can you sign my book, please?"
This friend of my mother's first met me when I was an awkward kid.
Now she's meeting me as the self-confident author I am.
I've traded my old identity as the kid with the coke-bottle glasses to assume the identity of the woman who knows her own value — and wears it well.
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3. The Sun US Edition - Blind ex-Home Secretary David Blunkett, 77, badly injured after falling into gap on platform at tube station16 Nov 2024
It was a terrifying moment, and one I will never forget.
Even now I am not 100 per cent sure exactly what happened. I still have flashbacks - it all happened in what seemed like a second.
The day had been ordinary, I had met my friend and was off to watch Sheffield Wednesday play at Brentford.
We were in Westminster tube station and it was rush hour. My friend led the way, as was agreed, so that my dog, Barley, could follow (as he has been trained to do). I instructed Barley to “hop up”, which is the command whenever he needs to go ahead.
But as I took a step to get onto the tube train I suddenly felt both my feet disappearing down the gap.
In an instant my body had been propelled forward into the carriage and I was face down on the floor. My legs had somehow been scraped out of the gap and into the carriage.
I didn’t fully know what had happened. I felt enormous pain in both my legs; they were bruised and grazed.
Looking back, I must have lost my footing because “the gap” between the tube and platform was so large, and fallen - but then was forced onto the tube anyway by the crowd behind me.
As I sat in excruciating pain I was really worried. I recently had a heart attack while in Italy and ended up in intensive care.
I am now on blood thinners, and as pointed out in my excellent follow-up procedures with the NHS, any bleeding or bruising is dangerous.
I managed to see a doctor at the football ground who advised me to go to A&E first thing in the morning.
I first attended St Thomas’, where I was lucky, as I arrived at a point where staff were not completely beleaguered. X-rays confirmed extraordinary bruising but not a broken leg.
Both legs hurt like hell, and one needed draining, but I would be OK.
Thank goodness I was able to follow up at a specialist unit in my home city of Sheffield, with expert treatment of long-term injuries of this kind and avoiding the dangerous consequences of infection.
But I am angry about what happened to me.
Whenever you step into a tube station in London you hear the tannoy warn people to “mind the gap”. But too often there are no staff members to actually help you if - like me - cannot see.
The day of my accident the staff member who was meant to be attending the platform had been called away because someone had been attacked.
Clearly, it is vital that there should always be someone on hand, especially during rush hour.
Some of our platforms are death traps. The gap between the walkway and train is huge and they are unsafe for everyone, but particularly for blind people.
Evidently, Transport for London do not have the money to widen all platforms.
But where the gaps are greatest, priority should be given to creative action to “fill the gap”. It is crucial to stop others having to have the painful and lasting experience which I suffered.
I do not easily get scared. I have been navigating Britain’s streets and stations with my guide dog for decades.
But that day I was spooked.
How many others have fallen and been seriously injured because of the gap?
How many injuries have not been reported, and how many even more serious than mine have been properly followed up to prevent real tragedies in the future?
I will shortly meet Transport for London to demand answers and urgent review into the safety of our busiest tube stations, for the sake of us all.
It is not good enough to simply say “mind the gap” and not give any help. We need action now to avoid preventable injury or worse.
By Lord Blunkett
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4. The Latin Times USA - Florida Health Care Nurse Stole Over $140,000 from Elderly Blind Patient, Spent Money On Her Pet: Sheriff16 Nov 2024
"Taking advantage of an elderly man who entrusted her with his life savings while also paying her a good salary is inexcusable and unforgivable," Sheriff Grady Judd told WFLA. "This woman's actions are despicable."
Carrie Hutchinson was hired in 2020 to care for the 77-year-old victim's late wife and later became his personal assistant, earning $6,000 monthly. Despite the hefty pay, detectives say she used the victim's funds for her own personal purchases, including over 270 Amazon orders, airline tickets for herself and friends, pet expenses, and photography classes.
One charge allegedly included $1,588 for Allegiant Airlines tickets for her and four friends to travel to Maine. She also spent $4,774 in Amazon orders between April 2021 and July 2024, officials said. She even used the victim's credit cards for pet supplies and "Pop On Veneers," according to investigators.
The victim discovered the missing money in July after consulting a retired financial officer. Confronted after a cruise trip, Hutchinson allegedly admitted to "borrowing" the money but said she couldn't repay it after being fired, said law enforcement officials.
Hutchinson has been charged with the criminal use of personal ID, exploitation of the elderly, and grand theft of $100,000 or more.
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5. Trinidad & Tobago Guardian - Empowering blind and visually impaired men in T&T16 Nov 2024
International Men’s Day, celebrated on November 19, highlights the positive contributions of men in society while also drawing attention to the specific challenges we face. This year, we have an opportunity to raise awareness about the struggles and successes of men who are blind, visually impaired, or low vision in particular.
As a nation, T&T is renowned for our vibrant culture and diversity; we can therefore take active steps to promote the rights and opportunities of men who are blind, visually impaired, or low vision, thus building a society that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Men who are blind in T&T face a unique set of challenges in areas such as employment, education, accessibility, and social inclusion.
Addressing these issues requires a collective effort from Government, communities, and individuals to create a supportive environment where we can strive. Accessibility is one of the biggest hurdles for men who are blind in T&T. This includes both physical and digital accessibility. The country can start by improving infrastructure to make public spaces more navigable for those of us with visual impairments.
Braille signage in public buildings, accessible pedestrian crossings with audible signals, and the use of tactile paving are examples of infrastructural modifications that will help us navigate our environment safely. Additionally, Government should prioritise accessibility features in public transportation. Specialised services like those that guide individuals from the bus terminal to their destination can be invaluable to those of us who use public transportation. By enhancing the mobility of men who are blind, it encourages our independence and participation in everyday social and economic activities.
Employment is an area in which many men who are blind face discrimination or lack of opportunities. Misconceptions about our abilities prevent employers from recognising the skills and talents we bring to the workplace. Workplace diversity and inclusion must be encouraged and supported. Tax incentives for companies that hire persons with visual impairments, as well as providing these employees with assistive technology such as screen readers and magnification software, is one of the ways to encourage such inclusivity in the workplace.
Additionally, Government and civil society must collaborate to create mentoring programmes aimed at building skills and confidence in men who are blind, visually impaired, or low vision. By pairing men who are blind with mentors in similar career fields, valuable insights and friendship networking opportunities that could lead to long-term employment are possible. Furthermore, by promoting success stories of men who are blind in the workplace, societal attitudes can be shifted and demonstrate that blindness in no way limits someone’s capacity to contribute meaningfully in the workplace.
Access to education is crucial for the personal and professional growth of men who are blind. T&T’s education system should focus on providing adequate resources and support for visually impaired students from an early age. This includes access to braille textbooks, screen reading software, and other assistive technologies in schools and universities. Training teachers to better support students with visual impairments will also make a big difference in the quality of education these students receive.
Higher education institutions should also consider implementing scholarship programmes specifically for students’ visual impairments, helping to reduce the financial burden and open doors for further education. When men who are blind are given equal access to education, they are more likely to reach their full potential, achieve independence, and contribute positively to society. Men who are blind often experience unique mental and physical health challenges due to isolation, societal stigma, and mobility constraints.
Our national healthcare system can play a role in supporting the well-being of these men by offering accessible mental health services, peer support programmes and counselling tailored to the visually impaired. When communities actively embrace individuals who are blind, they create a society where all men can strive regardless of their abilities. Building awareness around the mental health needs of men who are blind can help break down stigmas and provide essential support. Health services that are sensitive to the needs of individuals, such as accessible medical facilities, could also ensure that men who are blind receive equitable care.
In addition, public awareness campaigns can educate the general population about visual impairments, helping to foster empathy and understanding, which contributes to a more inclusive society. Social inclusion is fundamental for the well-being and dignity of men who are blind. Too often, individuals with visual impairments are isolated due to a lack of understanding and empathy from the public.
T&T can promote inclusion by launching public awareness campaigns that educate citizens about blindness and the importance of inclusivity. International Men’s Day is an ideal occasion to highlight the achievements and resilience of men who are blind, inspiring others and combating stereotypes. Community organisations, NGOs and advocacy groups can also facilitate workshops and events that bring together both sighted and visually impaired individuals. These events can help to foster mutual understanding and respect, creating opportunities for all. Promoting the rights of men who are blind also requires legal protections.
T&T must, as a matter of urgency, pass “disability rights” legislation to ensure that men who are blind are protected from discrimination in education, employment, and public accommodations. Advocating for ratification and full implementation of all international treaties will also demonstrate our country’s commitment to upholding human rights for all people with disabilities.
Moreover, the Government must continue its support for the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association in our work since we play a crucial role in representing the interests of our community, lobbying for necessary policy changes, and providing resources and support to individuals and their families.
This year, as we celebrate “International Men’s Day,” let us renew our commitment to promoting the rights of men who are blind, visually impaired, or low vision by improving accessibility, enhancing employment opportunities, supporting education, promoting health, fostering social inclusion, and strengthening advocacy. We can build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive T&T where all men have the opportunity to succeed. As we celebrate all men’s achievements and contributions, let us also recognise those of us who are blind, visually impaired, or low vision so that we may be valued, respected, and empowered to lead fulfilling lives. Happy International Men’s Day.
This column is supplied in conjunction with the T&T Blind Welfare Association Headquarters: 118 Duke Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Email: ttbw...@gmail.com; Phone: (868) 624-4675; WhatsApp: (868) 395-3086.
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6. Traverse City Record-Eagle USA - UNIQUE VISION Young, blind painter sees life as one of service to customers16 Nov 2024
TRAVERSE CITY – Mike Sincic of Williamsburg was 13 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Surgery took 9½ hours and saved his life, but it severed the optic nerve in his brain. So Sincic was faced with the reality of living the rest of his life blind. The impact of that loss was incalculable. He had to learn a whole new way to live.
As he began to work with an art therapist in high school, he discovered that whole new way of living through water colors. So he began to find a way to transfer the visions in his head to a process that put water colors on paper.
And it worked.
For the past 24 years of his life, Sincic has been selling watercolor paintings of landscapes from Northern Michigan and beyond through his business, Michael’s Unique Visions.
He’s developed a meticulous system of organizing his paints and brushes as well as innovative strategies to continue to make art while legally blind.
“After I lost my vision, I worked with an art therapist and we did a project using watercolors and I enjoyed the feel of them,” Sincic said. “I bought a set of basic watercolor paints and kind of started to create my own techniques with marking sections of paper off with pipe cleaners and masking tape.”
Sincic doesn’t tell galleries he’s blind when he first calls, so they will appreciate his artwork’s merit on its own.
But this approach didn’t work when he applied for jobs. He was often rejected without an interview.
“Finding jobs in general, it’s always been tough,” Sincic said. “I ran into a lot of people that just flat-out told me over the phone that they were not going to hire me because I was blind, without even interviewing me. And that kind of bothers me a lot. ... I have to kind of keep telling myself that, keep moving on.”
So, just as Sincic has had to overcome a slew of challenges to pursue his passion for art, he’s also faced adversity finding work as a blind person. Beyond the financial aspects, Sincic said he perseveres because he wants to make a contribution to society.
“I enjoy working because I feel part of society,” Sincic said. “Just being part of a team and feeling good about yourself, that you’re helping that team out, and that you’re doing your part.”
Previously, he worked as a phone operator for American Waste, now known as Green for Life, in Kalkaska, but when the company switched to an automated phone system, he had to look for a new job.
Dan O’Connor, customer relations manager for Williams Chevrolet in Traverse City, said when the company had a job opening, he hired Sincic for his superior qualifications and past experience.
“I was preparing for the interviews, and I was going down through all the resumes,” O’Connor said. “And then I looked at the bottom and it said that he had spent some time at a school for the blind, and I’m like, ‘This guy’s blind!’ I had no idea.”
Sincic now works there as a business development consultant in customer retention. Most recently, he was recognized by the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons with an Excellence Award for his work at Williams Chevrolet.
O’Connor said he is continually impressed by Sincic’s efficiency with their software as well as the responses he receives from customers.
Sincic often has customers ask to meet him face-to-face after commenting on how much they enjoyed speaking with him.
“He is one of the most independent and confident people that I know,” O’Connor said. “He’s been great for our customers, and at the end of the day, that’s why we’re all in this retail environment.”
Sincic is part of a vocational rehabilitation program, and his case worker Susan Root nominated him for the award. Four vocational rehabilitation customers in the state of Michigan are recognized each year for their achievements in independent living and employment goals.
“I didn’t know she had at first,” Sincic said. “It goes through a jury process, and they get to choose four people a year that go above and beyond to make their lives more independent in whatever areas they’re focusing on whether it’s work, schooling, housing. ... My caseworker was excited at what I was doing and was amazed at my hard work.”
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons — part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity — gave the awards in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. Sincic traveled to attend the ceremony in Kalamazoo along with O’Connor.
Both said they were humbled by the experience, but in very different ways.
“It was incredible,” Sincic said. “I usually try not to boast myself ... I’m just honored to have received it, and honored to be a part of the family here at Williams.”
For O’Connor, “It was very humbling for a sighted person to be there in this room with people with this disability that have just absolutely blown the lid off of anything that they were trying to accomplish.”
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7. Swindon Advertiser UK - Blind man left injured after Regent Street e-bike crash15 Nov 2024
A partially-blind man was left injured on the ground after a collision with two e-bikes in Swindon town centre.
The crash, which took place at around 1.30pm on Friday, November 1, saw two e-bikes riding through Regent Street in Swindon collide with a partially-sighted man using a cane.
The man, who has not been identified, was knocked to the ground and sustained minor injuries during the fall which left his cane broken.
Due to the central location of the crash which took place around midday, it is likely that there were onlookers nearby.
Police are now searching for the two e-bike cyclists responsible, and are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch.
The crash took place on a busy street in broad daylight (Image: Newsquest) "We are appealing for witnesses to an incident in Regent Street Swindon in which a man was knocked down by two cyclists on e-bikes," said a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police.
"Anyone who saw the incident or knows who is responsible is asked to call 101 quoting log 54240129150.
"You can also leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
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8. Wandsworth Council UK - Road Safety and Engineering Team walk blind through Wandsworth15 Nov 2024
The aim of the walk, hosted by South West London Sight Loss Council (SLC), was to enable the engineers to experience issues facing blind and partially sighted people, including street obstacles, uneven pavements, overgrown foliage, and bollards.
Sight Loss Councils, funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are regional groups led by blind and partially sighted people. Together, they work with organisations to ensure what they do is accessible and inclusive.
Councillor Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council said: “Experiencing the streets from the perspective of someone with sight loss underscores the need for thoughtful, inclusive design in our public spaces. In Wandsworth, we are committed to making the borough accessible for everyone, and supporting residents with disabilities is a vital part of this mission.
“This sim spec walk with the Sight Loss Council is a powerful way to understand the daily challenges faced by our blind and partially sighted community, and it will continue to inform the way we plan, design, and adapt our streets to ensure they are truly safe and accessible for all.”
South West London SLC members also attended and took the opportunity to share their own personal experiences of the problems that they face on a daily basis, as blind and partially sighted pedestrians.
Haren Thillainathan, SW London SLC volunteer pictured in the image above with his guide dog Addie, said:
“I’m pleased that staff from Wandsworth Council’s engineering department have embraced the opportunity to participate in this sim spec walk. I hope it gives them greater insight into how blind and partially sighted residents interact with the built environment, and how we can be impacted by street and highway design.
“This builds on a great track record of collaboration over the last year, where Wandsworth Council has responded to feedback from South West London SLC on how design of key projects - such as Burntwood Lane - can be enhanced to improve their safety and accessibility for blind and partially sighted people. This is very gratifying.”
Harry Meade, SW London SLC volunteer also pictured above, added:
“As a Wandsworth resident and member of South West London Sight Loss Council, I am delighted that we have been able to build an excellent working relationship with members of Wandsworth Council within the safer Streets environment.
“We have conducted site visits to discuss future street layout plans and been able to feed in our thoughts as BPS residents. The sim spec walk aims to increase the understanding of Wandsworth Council about the needs of those living with sight loss. We look forward to working with the council on future projects to continue to increase the accessibility of Wandsworth’s streets.”
To support all residents, but particularly those who are blind or living with sight loss, we have cracked down on irresponsible e-bike parking, and are installing designated parking bays across the borough.
Our 'Decade of Renewal' is a 10-year programme of improvements that will tackle the deteriorating condition of both our roads and pavements. It includes relaying pavements to create smoother and more accessible routes, as well as removing street clutter, to make our pavements safer and easier to navigate.
This aligns with our 'Future Streets' strategy, which outlines a new far-reaching package of cleaner, greener and safer active travel choices for residents.
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9. North Edinburgh News UK - Blind volunteer15 Nov 2024
Frenchman Louis Braille was in his teens in the mid-1820s when he began developing the six-dot tactile code that enables millions of blind and partially sighted people around the world to access the power of literacy. Two centuries on from its invention, braille is as vital as ever to those in the blind and partially sighted community.
Braille is a code based on ‘cells’ of six dots, which are arranged in two columns of three. Variations of the six dots represent the letters of the alphabet, words, numbers, and even music notation. Braille characters are designed to be read by touch rather than visually.
Sue Marshall (80) from Edinburgh, taught braille as a volunteer with national charity RNIB Scotland for many years. Sue has keratoconus, a condition which affects the corneas of the eye.
“I was partially sighted until the age of 17 then I became totally blind,” she says. Her husband, Alan Dudley, who was born blind, learned braille from the age of six. They both advocate for the practical uses of braille in everyday life.
“When I learned braille in 1962, there wasn’t an alternative.” Sue says. “Nowadays there’s technology, which is compatible with braille, but I find it easier and quicker to use as is.”
Alan adds, “I’m more likely to read with the braille display on my phone or computer- it just pairs up and it means you can read emails, read a digital screen, and write in braille too. Of course there’s often audio for reading things aloud, but braille’s advantage is being able to write things down quickly.”
Sue first learned braille by writing backwards: “You had to write on the back of the paper – you were writing mirrored, so that when you flipped it over, it was raised up and you could feel and read it the correct way.”
Alan adds, “It wasn’t until the mechanical braillers, like the Perkins Brailler came in that you could write braille in the way you read it- that really changed things.”
RNIB estimates that seven per cent of people who are registered blind or partially sighted use braille. While some will read braille books and magazines, many more will use braille in small daily doses- to identify medication, food labels, bank statements, and much more.
“I could get my phone out and use it to read the label on this bottle of oil,” Sue says. “But I’ve just put braille onto a sticky label and when I’m cooking, I can read it straight away.
“It’s really easy. Or when I need to find a stamp, I’ve organised them in this photo album where each pocket has a braille label to tell me if the stamps in it are first or second class.”
“I’ve got braille labels on my clothes,” adds Alan. “I can tell what they are by touch, but I’ve added braille on the labels to tell me what colour the item is.”
Sue and Alan also use braille in their celebrations. “M&S started doing their Christmas food catalogue in braille.” they say.
“We always send out birthday cards and Christmas cards in braille, even to our sighted friends, because it’s that extra personal touch, and we love receiving them when they’re in braille too.”
For the couple, braille brings privacy and independence.
“When they brought out braille on medications, it made a massive difference,” says Alan. “Even something as simple as paracetamol, when you can read the instructions yourself, the strength and the dose, it means you’re not relying on anyone else.
“Bank statements in braille too, that was another one that offered a lot of privacy when they started doing those.”
For those wanting to learn braille, Sue advises, “Use it or lose it. You’ve got to have that willingness to learn, and just keep using it in everyday life. You don’t have to be reading volumes of books, but just use it. It’s like learning a language, if you don’t keep it up, you’ll forget it.”
Since it published its first braille book in 1871, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) now has more than 11,000 braille titles for adults and children, which it sends out to anyone with sight loss free of charge.
The charity also has products available for using braille in everyday life from labels to tactile maps and Scrabble tiles.
And what would the French teenager who developed the code think now? “I would hope he would be very pleased!” laughs Sue. Alan adds, “You’d think he would be amazed at how it was produced- mechanical machines and how quickly you can get a braille book printed.
“You’d hope Braille would be proud of how much it’s contributed to so many people’s lives. He may not have realised the scale of what he’d done and how it would affect us 200 years later.”
Steph Thomson (37) lives in Eskbank, near Edinburgh, started learning braille with Sue when she began to struggle with her sight and reading books. Steph volunteers at a nursery and was having issues reading with the children.
“Sue is fabulous, she has mentored me and has personally sacrificed so much in supporting me to study braille,” says Steph. “I am so lucky to have her support, and so grateful to her for giving me her time. I now get to incorporate braille into reading with the kids at work.
“Learning braille is not easy, it takes lots of practice and I sometimes get confused with the contractions. But reading braille is a skill and life is a learning journey so why not with braille? If technology fails you, it can provide another option and it’s fun! Having a skill that others don’t have is a nice place to be.
“Braille has a future, even with the advances in technology. Home videos didn’t spell the end of cinema, and eBooks didn’t spell the end for paperbacks, so my hope is braille continues to have its place for people who see the value in it.”
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10. Pittsburgh Union Progress USA - Pittsburgh Regional Transit offers smartphone app to help visually impaired riders15 Nov 2024
Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced Thursday it has teamed up with a widely used visual interpreting service to help visually impaired riders navigate its system easier.
The free service is provided by Aira, a California-based company that can have online helpers tap into the camera system on a visually impaired rider’s smartphone. While riders point the camera, interpreters can help them find their way around by identifying bus stops and reading signs for them.
The agency will pay $10,000 a year to allow riders to use Aira, which is widely available at universities, airports, museums, stores, entertainment venues and transit agencies across the country. The partnership was announced on World Usability Day.
“We’ve had visually impaired people use the transit system for many years and this is certainly one extra tool that we have made available,” PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph said. “We hope people with use it and find it helpful.”
The Aira app is available to riders for free and can be downloaded in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. PRT said the system “strengthens the agency’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.”
“Pittsburgh Regional Transit is committed to building a transit system that meets the needs of all our riders, and Aira’s support is a crucial part of making this vision a reality,” CEO Katharine Eagan Kelleman said in a news release. “Providing free access to on-demand visual interpreters enables our blind and low-vision riders to travel with greater autonomy and dignity.”
Tom Burgunder, a new PRT board member who is visually impaired and president of the Golden Triangle Council of the Blind, said in an interview he has used the Aira system in other cities and found it helpful.
“I used it to get around the airport in Houston,” he said. “It’s a little hit-and-miss because it’s only as good as the person on the other end. It was better than nothing, but it’s not as good as having another person right there to guide you along.”
Burgunder said visually impaired riders use a lot of workarounds on transit, such as using a GPS system to identify streets so they know when their stop is approaching.
“There have been huge technological advances that have helped us tremendously, but they also help everybody else so we never really catch up to them,” he said.
Aira also has a program that offers American Sign Language for hearing-impaired people via another smartphone app.
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This Google Group news service has been made possible by courtesy of the Society of the Blind in Malaysia