Is braille relevant in the 21st century workplace? It’s the million-dollar question in our sphere, isn’t it?
Adults want to know, “Can’t we get by without it? It seems so daunting to learn.”
Teachers of students with visual impairments and vision rehabilitation counselors want to know, “Can’t we teach magnification? There isn’t enough time to teach braille to all the students or clients with low vision.”
I hear you. There is truth to these points of view.
But take it from Ms. Fairchild, who grew up with low vision and made increased print size and magnification work, that is, until she realized it didn’t work well. A lack of braille, the equivalent of a lack of literacy, was hindering her career success.
Refusing to be inhibited, Ms. Fairchild determined to learn braille as an adult using online Hadley courses, which are created for adults and teenagers with vision loss.
Now a braille reader, Ms. Fairchild is in the perfect position to answer the question: Yes, braille is relevant to the 21st century workplace. She writes, “Braille is one of my top three employment skills, along with orientation and mobility and keyboarding by touch. I find it impossible to prioritize them any further than this because without one the others don’t really stand alone.”
Read Ms. Fairchild’s story; she describes her seasons as a low vision student, going to college with a visual impairment, working with vision loss, and learning braille. She then answers the question you may have weighing heavily on your mind, “Should I learn braille?”
If you answer yes, find local braille instruction or utilize Hadley’s courses; it’s never too late to learn.
Learn More About Braille
Is Braille Relevant in the 21st Century?