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An Alternative to Braille Labeling

M.R. Shafrath

Abstract: The Fishburne Code provides a practical alternative in labeling for those adult blind who are unwilling or unable to learn braille. The system is standardized, versatile, easy to learn, and easy to use. My clients have been enthusiastic about learning Fishburne and have continued to use it after training for labeling a variety of personal possessions.

"How do your clients who don't know braille mark their canned goods?" This question was asked by a worker at the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind annual meeting several years ago. I still remember the question and one of the answers: "My client bangs and dents her cans-once for fruits, twice for vegetables." This answer typifies the degree of creativity and ingenuity that clients can show when faced with necessity.

Since that time I have searched for a more sophisticated labeling system for my non-braille clients. In my experience in teaching grade one braille to many adventitiously blind adults, I have become increasingly aware of how difficult it is for these persons to tactually identify the small dot configurations. Those who finally master braille reading have even more difficulty using a slate and stylus. If the client cannot afford a braille writer he soon forgets what he has learned, since the practical application of braille requires the ability to write as well as read.

Although I had been introduced to the Fishburne system of labeling several years ago, I did not begin to use it with clients until last year. After teaching my first two clients, I was hooked. The system is versatile, standardized, easy to learn and duplicate, inexpensive, and requires a minimal degree of tactual discrimination. Best of all, my clients were enthusiastic.

1972 was the year that S.B. Fishburne and his wife conducted a tour for adult blind persons of the Pacific Telephone Company in Sacramento. Watching their excitement as they examined a card dialer telephone, Mr. Fishburne wondered how this device could be made useful to those who did not know braille. He was surprised to learn that of the 1,700,000 blind persons in the United States, only about 45,000 know braille. His creative determination to solve this problem resulted in the Fishburne Code, which, although still not well known, is now used by agencies and individuals in at least 42 states.

The Fishburne system uses four different symbols in a simple repetitive pattern. Each symbol is embossed on a one-inch strip of tape, backed with adhesive which can either be placed on a file card, small magnet, or other surface. Letters are recognized by the position and number of symbols on each strip. The symbol differs for each row of six letters, while the pattern remains the same. The first row-letters a through f-is formed with dots. A is one dot at the top of the strip; b is a dot at the bottom; c is one dot at the top and one dot at the bottom; d is two dots at the top; e is two dots at the bottom; and f is two dots, top and bottom. Each row is formed with this same pattern. The letters g through l are made with single and double vertical lines; m through r are made with single and double horizontal lines; s through x are made with single and double diagonal lines; and y and z are again made with dots-this time vertical instead of horizontal. A complimentary thermocopy of the Fishburne Code is provided by the Pacific Telephone Pioneers and can be obtained together with a brochure and price list by writing directly to Charles Fishburne, who has since taken over his brother's work.

Before teaching either braille or Fishburne, I make an assessment of the client's goals, cognitive abilities, and tactile discrimination. The Braille Readiness Book from the series Modern Methods of Teaching Braille (Stoker, 1983) is an excellent tool for this assessment, providing concrete information to help make a decision as to which code to learn and thus avoiding the negative transference which occurs when one code is begun and then dropped for the other.

Once the decision has been made to teach Fishburne, I order the following items at an approximate cost of $60: metal slate with all 26 letters, extra metal slate, embosser, cut tape strips, scored magnets, and set of three instructional tapes. The magnetic letters can be transferred from the original to the second slate in any order. It is possible to make a variety of words from these 26 letters because of the nature of the system, which allows duplicate letters to be made by inverting the magnets. For example, the word "beef" can be made from the first row of six letters by turning the d upside down to form the second e.

Motivated individuals can learn the system independently by using the excellent set of programmed learning tapes. One of my clients (age 86) learned the alphabet in a week. Others take longer to learn the letters by rote, and continue for some time to mentally refer to the pattern. Diabetic clients with limited finger sensitivity are surprised at how easy it is to detect each character. Spacing between letters depends on the particular client's needs.

For some, use of the embosser is the most difficult part of learning the system. Still, the degree of small muscle control and special awareness is less than what is needed for the mastery of slate and stylus. Various letters are formed by placing the tape strips at different angles in a prescribed position within the embosser. I have found it helpful to paste a small strip of velcro on the upper lip of the embosser as a guide to insertion of the tape. One of my clients, who has multiple sclerosis and restricted use of his left arm, was pleased to master the embosser. Some people who use the embosser without difficulty have trouble removing the backing from the tape strips.

Practical applications of the Fishburne alphabet are numerous. My clients are using it to make personal phone books and address directories. One young man couldn't wait to label his extensive record collection. File folders can be marked to keep personal records in order. The tape strips, backed with magnets, can be used to identify canned goods. Some clients prefer to mark cans by placing the tapes on 3 " x 5 " cards and using rubber bands to attach the cards. I recommend that several cans of the same food be placed in a labeled shoe box. The adhesive-backed tape strips will stick to fabric labels and can be used to color-code clothing. Although they will stick through several washings, one lady reported that the men at the office had a good laugh when her husband arrived with the letter r taped to his backside. Since that time, she and I have looked for more permanent means of marking. We have found that it is possible to sew through the plastic tapes and tack them onto garments without affecting recognition of the particular letter. Another method which works and can be used by someone with only minimal sewing skills is to dispense with the tapes and make the Fishburne symbols with needle and crochet thread.

The Fishburne Code is not intended to replace braille. It is a labeling rather than a complete communication system. However, for many adults who do not choose to learn braille it is one more step toward independence.

References

Fishburne, C., 221 N. Gordon Drive, Winston- Salem, NC 27104.

Stoker, C.S. (1983). Modern methods of teaching braille. Louisville, Kentucky: American Printing House for the Blind.

Marilyn Shafrath, M. Ed., is a rehabilitation teacher at the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind. Inquiries should be addressed to the author 107 Ben Nevis Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284.