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I think most everyone has a notion about Braille and what it is. It's raised bumps or dots in specific patterns that people who can't see use to read. If you are a proficient Braille user, you have a skill set that most people who can't see don't have. Does that surprise you? You're not alone. The belief is common enough that I am often offered a Braille menu when I go to a restaurant, and even my bank and the gas company send me a Braille version of my current account monthly. I have never requested this service. They just assume that, since I can't see, I know Braille well enough to read Braille documents. That is definitely not true for me. I can use Braille well enough to do quite a lot though, and you can likely learn enough Braille to make some things in your day-to-day world easier and more convenient. If you are motivated to learn to be a proficient Braille user, please go for it. Your new skill set will serve you well. If you are responsible for a school-age youngster who can't see or who is likely to lose his or her vision, make learning Braille a priority for the young person. But if you are older and simply not up to the journey to Braille proficiency, I do have a suggestion for you. Take a few hours to learn a little Braille. The Hadley School is an easy way to get started: https://hadley.edu or Call 800-323-4238. Just tell them that you want to learn a little Braille. They will take it from there, and sooner than you may think, you will be labeling things and making quick notes for this and that. The helpful folks at Hadley will register you in their starter Braille class, help you get everything you need to succeed and then set up a few classes that you complete at home. And it's free. Can it get any easier than that? I can't read a book or even a page of Braille, but I can read the Braille labels on my medication from the pharmacy, the card I carry with me that has the number and other info for my credit card, the labels I've made for stuff around the house and notes I make when talking to a group or when I want to remember a number or other little piece of information. Knowing more Braille might be useful; but even with the little I know, it definitely comes in handy most every day. Here's the deal. Just like a little exercise is better than no exercise, and a little patience is better than no patience, and a little independence is better than no independence, a little Braille is way better than no Braille. Start with Hadley or someone else who can teach you and then give it fifteen minutes a day for four weeks. If after that, you still think it's a waste of your time, you're probably right. Until then though, give learning a little Braille a chance.
I think most everyone has a notion about Braille and what it is. It's raised bumps or dots in specific patterns that people who can't see use to read. If you are a proficient Braille user, you have a skill set that most people who can't see don't have. Does that surprise you? You're not alone. The belief is common enough that I am often offered a Braille menu when I go to a restaurant, and even my bank and the gas company send me a Braille version of my current account monthly. I have never requested this service. They just assume that, since I can't see, I know Braille well enough to read Braille documents. That is definitely not true for me. I can use Braille well enough to do quite a lot though, and you can likely learn enough Braille to make some things in your day-to-day world easier and more convenient. If you are motivated to learn to be a proficient Braille user, please go for it. Your new skill set will serve you well. If you are responsible for a school-age youngster who can't see or who is likely to lose his or her vision, make learning Braille a priority for the young person. But if you are older and simply not up to the journey to Braille proficiency, I do have a suggestion for you. Take a few hours to learn a little Braille. The Hadley School is an easy way to get started: https://hadley.edu or Call 800-323-4238. Just tell them that you want to learn a little Braille. They will take it from there, and sooner than you may think, you will be labeling things and making quick notes for this and that. The helpful folks at Hadley will register you in their starter Braille class, help you get everything you need to succeed and then set up a few classes that you complete at home. And it's free. Can it get any easier than that? I can't read a book or even a page of Braille, but I can read the Braille labels on my medication from the pharmacy, the card I carry with me that has the number and other info for my credit card, the labels I've made for stuff around the house and notes I make when talking to a group or when I want to remember a number or other little piece of information. Knowing more Braille might be useful; but even with the little I know, it definitely comes in handy most every day. Here's the deal. Just like a little exercise is better than no exercise, and a little patience is better than no patience, and a little independence is better than no independence, a little Braille is way better than no Braille. Start with Hadley or someone else who can teach you and then give it fifteen minutes a day for four weeks. If after that, you still think it's a waste of your time, you're probably right. Until then though, give learning a little Braille a chance.
I think most everyone has a notion about Braille and what it is. It's raised bumps or dots in specific patterns that people who can't see use to read. If you are a proficient Braille user, you have a skill set that most people who can't see don't have. Does that surprise you? You're not alone. The belief is common enough that I am often offered a Braille menu when I go to a restaurant, and even my bank and the gas company send me a Braille version of my current account monthly. I have never requested this service. They just assume that, since I can't see, I know Braille well enough to read Braille documents. That is definitely not true for me. I can use Braille well enough to do quite a lot though, and you can likely learn enough Braille to make some things in your day-to-day world easier and more convenient. If you are motivated to learn to be a proficient Braille user, please go for it. Your new skill set will serve you well. If you are responsible for a school-age youngster who can't see or who is likely to lose his or her vision, make learning Braille a priority for the young person. But if you are older and simply not up to the journey to Braille proficiency, I do have a suggestion for you. Take a few hours to learn a little Braille. The Hadley School is an easy way to get started: https://hadley.edu or Call 800-323-4238. Just tell them that you want to learn a little Braille. They will take it from there, and sooner than you may think, you will be labeling things and making quick notes for this and that. The helpful folks at Hadley will register you in their starter Braille class, help you get everything you need to succeed and then set up a few classes that you complete at home. And it's free. Can it get any easier than that? I can't read a book or even a page of Braille, but I can read the Braille labels on my medication from the pharmacy, the card I carry with me that has the number and other info for my credit card, the labels I've made for stuff around the house and notes I make when talking to a group or when I want to remember a number or other little piece of information. Knowing more Braille might be useful; but even with the little I know, it definitely comes in handy most every day. Here's the deal. Just like a little exercise is better than no exercise, and a little patience is better than no patience, and a little independence is better than no independence, a little Braille is way better than no Braille. Start with Hadley or someone else who can teach you and then give it fifteen minutes a day for four weeks. If after that, you still think it's a waste of your time, you're probably right. Until then though, give learning a little Braille a chance.
Hadley School updates and happiness.
On this episode of the #iACast, Michael, Aleeha, Chelsea and Scott discuss the applications of Braille in their lives. Before we got to the main topic, we discussed the recent news that Sprint and T-Mobile will be merging pending DOJ approval. During our discussion of Braille, we discussed several resources, including iAccessibility's own PocketBraille app for iOS, which will soon be receiving a major update to include Braille contractions. We also discuss the Hadley Braille course, offered by the Hadley School for the Blind, the National Reading Media Assessment for students, and our training program, which offers courses in Braille. We also discussed the transition to UEB, and how it is important to keep one's skills up. Some of the Braille displays mentioned in this episode were the Focus 40, Braile Edge, Brailliant BI 32, Orbit Reader 20, and NeoBraille. here are our picks for the week. Aleeha: Woven Words Scott: Weather Informant Chelsea: Math Robot Michael: Glitch Dash Don't forget to send any comments to feedback@iaccessibility.net or to our Twitter @iaccessibility1.
On this episode of the #iACast, Michael, Aleeha, Chelsea and Scott discuss the applications of Braille in their lives. Before we got to the main topic, we discussed the recent news that Sprint and T-Mobile will be merging pending DOJ approval. During our discussion of Braille, we discussed several resources, including iAccessibility's own PocketBraille app for iOS, which will soon be receiving a major update to include Braille contractions. We also discuss the Hadley Braille course, offered by the Hadley School for the Blind, the National Reading Media Assessment for students, and our training program, which offers courses in Braille. We also discussed the transition to UEB, and how it is important to keep one's skills up. Some of the Braille displays mentioned in this episode were the Focus 40, Braile Edge, Brailliant BI 32, Orbit Reader 20, and NeoBraille. here are our picks for the week. Aleeha: Woven Words Scott: Weather Informant Chelsea: Math Robot Michael: Glitch Dash Don't forget to send any comments to feedback@iaccessibility.net or to our Twitter @iaccessibility1.
Job Insights Extra Meet Ivan Delgado: Being Your Own Boss Is Hard Work and Worth It All (Transcript Provided) Welcome to Job Insights Extra, part of the Job Insights Podcast with Serina Gilbert and Jeff Thompson, a podcast focused on the world of employment, career pathways and gainful and meaningful employment. The Job Insights Extra podcasts are success stories, interviews and demos that enhance the experience of reaching that career you want. On this Job Insights Extra we talk to Ivan Delgado, a Business Enterprise Program Operator from Las Vegas. How he got his start into the BEP and what being a business owner has done for him. We hope you enjoy and if you have any questions for Ivan, you can send him an email. If you are interested in becoming your own boss and want to run your own business, contact your state services, your Devision of Vocational Rehabilitation and see what opportunities they have for you. Full Transcript Below Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store. Transcript [Music] Jeff: Welcome to a job insights extra where we will be talking to business enterprise program operator Ivan Delgado. [Music] He's from Las Vegas and that's where the Blind Abilities team went to get this interview at the Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America Sagebrush convention. What is the business enterprise program? It is a operation part of the Randolph Sheppard act that allows you to own an operate your own business. Check out your State Services, your DVR, and find out more about the business enterprise program. [Music] Job Insights is a podcast that is helping you find careers and gainful employment through innovations and opportunities and you can find the Job Insights podcast on Blindabilities.com, part of the Blind Abilities network, and as part of the Job Insights podcast, we will be bringing you the job insights extra, consisting of interviews, demonstrations, and news surrounding employment, careers, and jobs, with hosts, Serina Gilbert, and myself Jeff Thompson, and you can contact us by email at jobinsights@blindabilities.com. Leave us some feedback, or suggest some topics that we cover. You can also follow us on Twitter at JobInsightsVIP. Right now, please welcome Ivan Delgado. Welcome to Blind Abilities, I'm Jeff Thompson, and I am at the Sagebrush convention in Las Vegas and I ran into a fairly new vendor here amongst the senior vendors. I'm talking to Ivan Delgado. How are you dong? Ivan: Alright man, how about yourself? Jeff: Good, good, just enjoying the convention and all of the busy lights and stuff, and noises I should say out there. Ivan: Nice city huh? Jeff: Yeah, and you're from Vegas? Ivan: Yeah man, welcome to Las Vegas, if anybody is listening, come and enjoy Vegas, we love your guy's money. [laughter] Jeff: I noticed that! [laughter] So what got you interested the business enterprise program? Ivan: So about 3 or 4 years ago man, finishing up, not finishing, taking a break from college for certain reasons, whether it was lack of assistive technology or books not being ready for me, I decided to take a break and my lady actually told me about this program. She had a few friends that have done it in California and other states, and she told me, you like to boss me around so you might as well boss people around and try to make money. Yep, a couple years later man, I have been fortunate enough to finally get my own site and I started, originally I started the program. I got my BEP license about 2 years ago. My first site opened February 1st of last year, we just had our one year anniversary, before that we had vending machines at the location I am in. We just, it took a while for the location, the actual location to open up. Jeff: Is there training involved when you first join? Ivan: Yeah, when I first joined, now it's a lot different man, but when I first joined it was pretty intense, what I think is intense man. It was, I want to say 9 months man, and don't quote me on that. Classes started in March and the first three months were strictly just books and learning bi-laws, and how to do PNL's, and marketing, it was pretty awesome man, for someone like me that, you know never had a business, don't have an idea, i was just used to working 9 to 5s. It was very helpful. We did a couple of course through Hadley, Hadley School for the Blind online. We did that and then we did a couple of ServSafe tests here, customer service exams that we had to get. I am fortunate and I could brag about it man, because again, I am blessed man, and I think I am one of the only vendors here in Nevada that does his own profit and loss statement. You have vendors that are paying 200 to 300 dollars to, for people to input simple numbers and again, thanks to those classes, thanks to those three months of actually putting in work man, and understanding PNL's, and little Bi-laws, and stuff like that is definitely helpful man. Jeff: You are your own accountant. Ivan: Yes sir, thank God man! Jeff: You gotta keep the profits up right? Ivan: Right right, that is one way of doing it man, saving money man, all you gotta know is how to work. We know how to work man, it doesn't matter if you are disabled or not man, it's ambition, as humans we hunger for that ambition man. We have it, it is just a matter of if we want it or not man, and a lot of the times we don't want it man, and that sucks, but we are our own worst enemies and our own best friends man, and only we can get what we want man. Jeff: So what suggestions would you have for someone who is interested in getting into the business enterprise program? Ivan: A lot of patience. A lot of patience, hard work. Here in Nevada the process is a little longer due to the lack of operators we have, you know we kind of have to prove ourselves and that is fair I think. But a lot of patience and , just because you're disabled doesn't mean that stuff is going to be handed to us, especially here in the business world man, we have just as much of a responsibility as anybody else. Just keep your head up and be strong. That's it, just stay positive and stuff could be worse and if we are here and you are listening to this podcast, obviously we have gotten this far and the sky is the limit after here. Jeff: So what does Sagebrush bring to you? Ivan: A lot of a lot of information. A lot of people like Mr. Jeff, sorry if, I am bad at names, I think that's your name [laughter] Jeff, but yeah, this man, that working, as a blind community we have to become close man and I'm, the best example man, I don't go out a lot and I don't network but it hasn't changed man, I don't believe in NFB's, and NCB's, and ACB's, I wish there was only one. I don't see for this separation between organizations when really we're all just one, and that's blind. We're all blind so I would love for us to stick together and become one. I think if we become one a lot of people would be aware of both our disabilities, of our business and the Randolph Sheppard Act, again if we advocate be strong, stay positive and network, go out to these kinds of meetings, kind of conferences, I think this could very well be accomplished. There is a lot of older gentleman and ladies that are in the program and it's time for younger generations to step up and I think this is the time. Jeff: There is a lot of wealth of information, they have been in it, they have seen it change, and that is the bigger thing that things have changed and now here you are paving your way, you know, you're two years in, pretty soon you'll probably be leading the show here. Ivan: Absolutely, and those are the plans man, and absolutely, we always have to be grateful to the people that have, that started this man you know, and we've gotten a long ways man, I mean from selling newspapers at Post Offices to you know, having places at Hoover Dam's or at airports, you know that's a huge accomplishment, and that couldn't have been done without the people that you know, are moving on or retiring now. And that is a huge gratitude to you guys, we thank you. Jeff: Well, Ivan Delgado thank you very much for taking your time away from the karaoke. You gonna sing out there? Ivan: No we already did man, I need two more shots, I think these last two shots were on you. [laughter] Jeff: Do you have an email? Ivan: Yeah man, that's ivan.delvilla@gmail.com. Jeff: Alright, well thank you very much for taking the time and just speaking on Blind Abilities. Ivan: Yes sir, have a good day! [Music] Jeff: So if you are interested in the business enterprise program, becoming your own business owner, entrepreneur, check it out with your division of vocational rehab, your State Services for the Blind and see what they can do for you. If you want to find out first hand from Ivan what it is like to be 2 years in, in the business enterprise program, shoot him an email, check it out. Links are in the show notes. So we hope you enjoyed this Job Insights extra, thanks for listening, and until next time, bye bye. [Music] [Multiple voices] When we share what we see through each other's eyes, we can then begin to bridge the Gap between the limited expectations and the realities of Blind Abilities. For more podcast with the blindness perspective, check us out on the web at www.blindabilities.com, on Twitter at BlindAbilities, download our app from the app store, Blind Abilities, that's two words, or send us an email at info@blindabilities.com, thanks for listening.
Tonight's special guest is Emily Wallace (aka Tina Smith), a returning NAASCA family member who's an abuse survivor, motivational speaker and inspirational author. She's back to speak of her autobiography "Scarred for Life," an inspirational book which illustrates all of the struggles that Emily faced during her childhood. And it's quite a story! One day in 1980, Emily returned home from her every day learning environment, to find a house filled with nothing but emptiness. Her whole nuclear family (her mother and her siblings) were gone without a forwarding address. This was the same day that Emily endured emotional distrust and experienced her childhood being snatched away from her within moments. "Scarred for Life" narrates Emily's story, along with her thoughts, feelings, and emotions as she tried to succeed surviving on the streets. She tells of sleeping in vacant houses and under porches and experiencing child molestation by her older two brothers. She shares the stories of those who tried to help her and those who would not. Honest and shocking, "Scarred for Life" provides insight into the actual life of a little homeless girl and the horrors one can experience when living on the streets. Today, Emily is a mother of six, and wife of 20 years. She is an author and motivational speaker, who speaks to children about child abuse and bullying. She is currently working on her high school diploma at Hadley School for the Blind.
1543 Distance Learning at The Hadley School (Oct. 21, 2015) Show Notes Just because the Hadley School is located near Chicago, doesn’t mean you have to be there to take advantage of their many and varied educational programs. In fact, they are all available as distance learning. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Doug … Continue reading 1543 Distance Learning at The Hadley School (Oct. 21, 2015) →
The hadley School: Much More Than Just Seminars
By listener request, Colleen speaks about The Hadley School for the Blind and her experience learning Braille through their free courses. She also touches on what this special code is and how one would read it. Tune in to hear the basics, benefits, and bumps! Reference Links: The Hadley School for the Blind Braille Translator […]
Tonight's special guest is Emily Wallace (aka Tina Smith) abuse survivor and motivational speaker, inspirational author and expert seeking high representation for her unforgettable autobiography "Scarred for Life," an inspirational book which illustrates all of the struggles that Emily faced during her childhood. One day in 1980, Emily returned home from her every day learning environment, to find a house filled with nothing but emptiness. Her whole nuclear family (her mother and her siblings) were gone without a forwarding address. This was the same day that Emily endured emotional distrust and experienced her childhood being snatched away from her within moments. Scarred for Life narrates Emily's story, along with her thoughts, feelings, and emotions as she tried to succeed surviving on the streets. She tells of sleeping in vacant houses and under porches and experiencing child molestation by her older two brothers. She shares the stories of those who tried to help her and those who would not. Honest and shocking, Scarred for Life provides insight into the actual life of a little homeless girl and the horrors one can experience when living on the streets. Today, Emily is a mother of six, and wife of 20 years. She is an author and motivational speaker, who speaks to children about child abuse and bullying. She is currently working on her high school diploma at Hadley School for the Blind.
We bring you a wide variety of information on MainMenu this week including several interviews from the recent AFB Leadership Conference, and three presentations from David Woodbridge. David Woodbridge of our MainMenu staff starts out this week with a demonstration of using audio description on Netflix. MainMenu co-producer of MainMenu interviews a representative of Audio Eye about their new software to improve your access to the web. Next we hear a demonstration of one of the new features in the upcoming Keysoft 9.5 software release for the BrailleNote Apex from Humanware. Jeff Bishop interviews a representative from Verizon about Vela Sense for Verizon smartphones. David Woodbridge demonstrates the Apple Watch Companion App for your iOS device. Jeff Bishop finds out what is new at the American Printinghouse For the Blind. David Woodbridge shows us how to password protect a folder on our Mac. Jeff Bishop interviews a representative from Ambutech about the latest new products and upgrades in their fine line of canes. And, Jeff Bishop interviews a representative from the Hadley School for the Blind about their new course on UEB. What a lineup of valuable information. And, you will hear it all on MainNenu this week.
Main Menu is pleased to bring you the final episode of our exhibit hall coverage from the 2014 ACB Convention. In this show, we will hear the latest news, special pricing, and more from Abisee, National Braille Press, Irie AT, Hidow, and the Hadley School for the Blind. After the conclusion of exhibit hall interviews, Chase Crispin speaks with Jeff Bishop about the convention and changes in technology to wrap up our coverage of the 2014 conference and convention of the American Council of the Blind. We hope you have enjoyed our convention coverage, and please contact us with your feedback!
This session will present the methods used by The Hadley School for the Blind to provide usable e-learning and its alternatives to students who are blind or visually impaired. The presentation will describe how a student navigates through the courseware and how an instructors and staff members support their learning. Lastly, Hadley will share the results of the e-Hadley project by program. Michael Rydel brings both an academic and corporate training background to his work of providing usable distance education to students with visual disabilities. He began his career as an automation trainer and manager with two IBM value added dealers. After becoming the Corporate Training Manager at Kemper Insurance, he implemented e-learning solutions for over 8,000 employees. Over the years, he also taught as an adjunct faculty member with the English department at Loyola University Chicago. For the past three years, he has served as the Dean of Curricular Affairs at Hadley while the school has implemented its new e-Hadley program. Michael has a Bachelors of Arts from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters of Arts from Indiana University in English Literature. He also has an Online Teaching Certificate from UCLA. Andre Lukatsky is the Director of Computer Services at The Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, IL. Andre has been with Hadley since 1999 and the head of the Computer Services Department since 2001. Before coming to Hadley, he had been working as a Network Administrator at Solex Academy in Wheeling, IL. Andre has extensive experience working with various aspects of computer technology—from hardware support to programming to web development. He has been working with access technology since 1999, creating accessible desktop applications, writing custom scripts for screen readers to enhance accessibility for blind users, and developing accessible web content templates. Andre has a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL.