Hi yet again, Richard!  This is the last installment in the current series:

[re learning Braille]
RW>  even if the daughter is reluctant the parents need to
RW>  push.  tHe rest of her life depends upon her developing
RW>  literacy tools,


          That's my take on it....  :-)



RW>  and even if she mainly uses braille to make notes for
RW>  herself and to label household items such as canned
RW>  goods, medicines, etc. it's a tool she can't afford to
RW>  be without.


          The more you can do for yourself, the less you're dependent on other
people... who may or may not have a clue what's going on in your life... to do
it for you.  You've captured my philosophy of education in a nutshell....  :-)



RW>  YEs tools such as the handheld reader in a cell phone
RW>  developed by Ray Kurzweil and the NFB in partnership
RW>  are available,


          All sorts of wonderful things are available nowadays... for a price!
If you're under eighteen there are various charities who may help finance such
things.  If you're no longer so cute & appealing you may find yourself on your
own.  Either way, the ability to read Braille does give you more options.  :-)



RW>  but there's nothing like being able to use the blind
RW>  person's equivalent of a pencil to make notes or label
RW>  items that need labels, batteries not required!


          Yes.  As I grow older I find myself developing more appreciation for
what my ancestors did.  My parents were reducing, re-using, and recycling long
before these terms were in fashion.  I'm glad I acquired such down-home skills
as making compost & cooking from scratch with minimal equipment.  And I'm glad
things were built to last years ago because I don't enjoy shopping... unless I
luck into situations where one person's trash may be another's treasure.  :-))




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)