Category: accessible Devices
Hi. I'm writing in this category since my question is related to Braille-writing devices. I'm looking thru a catalog and saw several kinds of slates. Some are interline, and some are interpoint. What is the difference? I'm considering getting a slate where I can write of the 11.5 by 11 paper and have found some, but of the 2 I'm interested in, one is interline and the other is interpoint. If anyone can explain what would be the difference with these types of slate, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance. *smile*
I'm not sure exactly what interline means. But Interpoint means both sides of the page. And you actually found some slates that are 40 characters per line and 25 lines per page? I've been looking for something like that for a long time.
Yeah; I found several interpoint slates from a company called Sparsh Products, but I don't think they are able to ship to the U.S. for whatever reason. But I did find some other companies here in the U.S. that carry similar interpoint slates. The NFB has one that is also a full-page slate for the 8.5 by 11 paper, and I found a 13-line one with 35 cells per line. I am now waiting to receive it. I'm not sure if it's meant for the 11.5 by 11 paper or the A4-style paper though. If it's for the A4 kind, Future Aids carries that type of paper. I thought I also saw that 40-cell slate being sold somewhere, but I forget where I saw it at, if it was here or just at the Sparsh Products site.
OK if that is true the NFB just scored points with me. Would love the idea of a full-page slate! Everyone hates to move the slate down, well I at least had used to, and at one time that was the only thing I ever had for taking notes.
This is the link for the full-page interpoint slate from the NFB Independence Market. Sorry, i don't know HTML, so you'll have to select, copy and paste.
http://secure.nfb.org/ecommerce/asp/product.asp?product=1071&cat=131&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=
In case it doesn't work, the description says:
PLASTIC, WITH PINS ON BOTTOM. EVEN-NUMBERED LINES ARE LABELED IN BRAILLE ALONG THE RIGHT MARGIN. INCLUDES SLOTS FOR 1/2-INCH AND 3/8-INCH LABELING TAPE. USE WITH 8 1/2 X 11 INCH PAPER.
It's $20.00 plus tax.
I have several slates, including one from the NFB, with 4 lines and 40 cells, which comes with a board to help with proper allignment and going down the page. I like the idea of a single page slate, but could never figure out how one would quickly let me determine on which line I was writing, if I had to put it down for awhile and then come back to it. I also don't usually use such large paper. To me a regular sheet would cover 28 cells, and I have seen several 25-line 28-cell full page slates on Ebay. They're usually $11 or so. I prefer the pins on the top, so that I can easily open it and read what I've written. But they seem to be difficult to find, regardless of the size.
At any rate, I did hear of the Roller King, which uses a hollow stylus. This actually enables you to braille from left to write and not backwards! I haven't tried it. The pocket one is on15 cells and the large one is 32. My standby is a 4-line 19-cell slate, so I can't imagine what I'd do with a 15.
If I remember correctly the lines are numbered on the sides
Yes. That's what the description here said. But I wondered before I read that today.