Category: Let's talk
Here are two truly inspiring articles about the blind. Both are a bit long, but each is definitely worth reading. The first was shared on my Facebook wall by a friend and the second I found on my own.
http://www.bsblind.co.uk/large/moon/mmmicro.htm
This booklet, written in 1988, discusses a number of things, all centred around the lives and teaching of the blind in Brighton, England. It first relates the story of the incredible accomplishments of William Moon, creator of the moon writing language for the blind, and then discusses the efforts of the community, particularly the Brighton Society for the Blind, and eventually, the government to rehabilitate and to educate the blind in academic, vocational and independent living skills. Far from being a dry scholarly read, it incorporates several interesting anecdotes and really gives you a feel for how it was to live as a blind person in several different decades. It's one of the most informative and fascinating works that I've ever read on the subject, and I highly recommend it for anyone who wishes to learn about the history of the blind as well as those studying Sociology and Anthropology.
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/blog/news_features_releases/2010/09/cane-able.html
this article, written in September of 2010, discusses academic education of the blind. It focusses on a man, David Ticchi, who grew up in America during the 1950's. Remarkably for the time, he was fully mainstreamed and his teachers treated him completely equally to his sighted peers, even grading him fairly. It discusses his struggles, some of his college experiences (a rarety for blind students in the late 60's), and his eventual attainment as a teacher in a mainstream public school system. The story of Dr. Ticchi, is presented along with the general story of the blind and their fight to be seen as equal citizens, as well as the need for braille in today's digitalised society. The deaf and sign language are also mentioned.