New Braille Tech

We've been given a new braille display to learn to use. It's the Focus 40 Blue Braille Display from Freedom Scientific...

It's an amazing little machine! So, I've been learning how to navigate it to better support my student who is learning to use it with his new laptop.

I've created a large laminated mapping picture of the braille display and added braille labels to help learning the function of each of the buttons on the new machine. Little steps will help learning this machine.

Stunning Hoarfrost

This morning there was a thick fog everywhere and it caused a deposit of needle-like ice crystals to form on everything because of  the condensation and temperatures below freezing point.

It was so beautiful I just wanted to share...

 

Tactile Journal Binder

Last week I created a new journal binder for a student with a visual disability. He told me his idea from the material we had on hand. I then hot glue gunned his lay out all down.

The binders must be very textural, visually appealing doesn't matter when creating these.

 From the side.....

 

 

This was the previous journal binder...

 

 He was hungry for some spaghetti and meatballs....

Close up...

 

So much fun to create these!!

 



Learning New Methods

I have spent the last few years discovering and learning about myself and enjoying every minute.

One big accomplishment was learning about Louis Braille. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Braille

I've found myself in a new situation where I am working with students who are visually-impaired. This opportunity has given me a glimpse of a world that I had no experience in.

I have taken, so far, a couple of on-line courses through a well established school for the blind, Hadley Institute for the blind and Visually Impaired. https://www.hadley.edu/

It has been an awesome experience learning about brailling and the history of it. If you are interested I highly recommend this school because you can set your schedule. They also offer scholarships for the courses they offer and the courses are also tailored to specific learners and learning environments.
I've learned how to use a Perkins Brailler:

and a more mobile device the slate and stylus:

The slate and stylus where a bit difficult to learn at first because not only are you using a new language but to braille it out properly on the paper you need to braille it backwards!! YIKES!