From: Marina.Eastham@Mail.Trincoll.Edu
Subject: Re: Questions about Braille at the College or University Level
Hi Mike,
	I am from New Mexico, however I attend school out of state.  It's 
great to see NMSU as a leader in Braille production and efficiency for 
blind students.  A majority of blind people who are employed use Braille.  
This is a sign that it's essentail for bringing information and 
communication to the blind.  I'm glad you're making strides in encouraging 
it's use.  Perhaps, another way in doing so is to provide Braille 
tutoring to students who do not know it very well, but would like to and 
need to learn.  Many blind people don't have the opportunity until much 
later in life to learn it.  Learning at the college level would be a big 
step.  Or refer them to the Center in Alamogordo.  Speaking of 
which you can get more opinion on Braille services from a great student 
seminar that is 
scheduled to be pretty soon.  It will be cosponsored by the Commission 
for the Blind and NMSVH.  If you would like to attend 
this seminar or just get more insight into what students need contact Adelmo 
Vigil at (505) 841-8844 at the Commission for the Blind of NM.  Below are 
some answers to your questions.
On Thu, 12 Feb 1998, M. THOMPSON wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> 
> I serve on a task force to look into making Braille more readily available
> at New Mexico State University.  I am interested in hearing from students
> who have had to deal with Braille issues in a University setting.
> 
> Were or are you able to get assignments, textbooks, class handouts, and
> other University related materials in Braille?
	No, I have never been able to recieve materials in Braille while at 
college. 
 
> Who provides the Braille service?
> 
	N/A
> Do you receive the same materials in Braille at the same time sighted
> students in your classes receive printed copies of these same materials?
	No, it would be nice.  However,I encourage that students have the 
availability of Braille, while still learning to use readers when needed 
as well.  College should provide some preparation for career and life.  Who 
knows how available Braille will be at that person's worksight.  
Hopefully it will be and it will provide more efficency if it is.  But 
bills and mail are not usually in Braille so I encourage university 
students to learn how to hire and train readers as well.
> If so, was the Braille of the same quality as the printed materials?
> 
	N/A
> Was the Braille transcribed by a Certified transcriber or simply pumped
> out on some Braille printer?
	- 
> If you had a say in how Braille should be provided to college students,
> what would you consider to be important?
Many times students will recieve handouts in class and they will need to 
read or scan them immediately.  In this case, it would be nice if it were 
readily available.  
> I have an opportunity to have a say in how NMSU goes about producing
> Braille and I care what Blind people want and need in this regard.  Please
> tell me what is important to consider.  What is "Good Braille"  What is
> "Bad Braille"?
> 
> What kinds of things other than the ones I mentioned earlier would you
> like to see available in Braille?  (Cafeteria Menues?  College handbooks?
> Class Schedules? Math? Music? Foreign Language Materials ...)
	Sometimes maps will be used in classes.  I have a friend that 
takes religion classes and she has to learn all the significant maps in 
the New and Old Testaments.  Currently, she uses a reader and 
descriptions during lectures to learn the locations with no problem.  But if 
she could take the maps somewhere to get Brailled it would certainly be a 
help.
> How would you rank the following with regards to Braille Production:
> 
2. Cost
1. Quality
1. Speed
> 
I couldn't help ranking speed and quality the same, both are so essential.  
Speed is very important in the fast pace of a college setting.  Quality 
is also, so there is no problem understanding the material. 
>
 I would like to get a discussion going on this list in order to gain a
> fuller understanding of what is needed; what works; and what is broken?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Mike Thompaon
> --
> 
> Mike Thompson (Systems Programming)  (505) 646-1364
> New Mexico State University Computer Center - Room 133
> Corner Stewart & Sweet
> Las Cruces, New Mexico  88003
> Fax (505) 646-5278
> 
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