Role Models and Social Contact In a small country with a small community, meeting other blind people was very helpful. Camps were organised by various organisations and were typically project based. Meeting other blind people through the internet was also important to the blind people present at the meeting. Online contact was a first step towards meeting people physically in person. Pen friend systems also encouraged the exchanging of experiences and could be stimulating for children and parents. Developments and Issues Today, audio books could be downloaded through the internet cheaply, comfortably and in a portable way. People developing blindness late in life found it difficult to acquire Braille skills. Braille apps were very useful in that they allow people to write much faster. Alternatively, using a braille display with a smartphone would enhance literacy. Italy: Country Visit October 17, 2017 Meeting at: Francesco Cavazza Institute of the Blind, Bologna The following stem from a meeting that was conducted in Bologna, Italy, as one of the countries that was targeted in the EBU Braille project. Technology, alternatives to Braille and a stressful and ever-demanding environment call for solutions and techniques that are quick and efficient rather than clinging to ideological beliefs and sentiments. The notes below show that all the participants - almost without exception - had been Braille users from an early age and had used Braille during their school years and beyond, as long as they were in academic settings. Fewer, it seems, were very committed to using Braille today in their everyday life, although it seemed that the vast majority had found Braille essential for their educational results. The mix between Braille in various formats and environments and the use of other tools and methods was interesting and seems quite evident.
Role Models and Social Contact In a small country with a small community, meeting other blind people was very helpful. Camps were organised by various organisations and were typically project based. Meeting other blind people through the internet was also important to the blind people present at the meeting. Online contact was a first step towards meeting people physically in person. Pen friend systems also encouraged the exchanging of experiences and could be stimulating for children and parents. Developments and Issues Today, audio books could be downloaded through the internet cheaply, comfortably and in a portable way. People developing blindness late in life found it difficult to acquire Braille skills. Braille apps were very useful in that they allow people to write much faster. Alternatively, using a braille display with a smartphone would enhance literacy. Italy: Country Visit October 17, 2017 Meeting at: Francesco Cavazza Institute of the Blind, Bologna The following stem from a meeting that was conducted in Bologna, Italy, as one of the countries that was targeted in the EBU Braille project. Technology, alternatives to Braille and a stressful and ever-demanding environment call for solutions and techniques that are quick and efficient rather than clinging to ideological beliefs and sentiments. The notes below show that all the participants - almost without exception - had been Braille users from an early age and had used Braille during their school years and beyond, as long as they were in academic settings. Fewer, it seems, were very committed to using Braille today in their everyday life, although it seemed that the vast majority had found Braille essential for their educational results. The mix between Braille in various formats and environments and the use of other tools and methods was interesting and seems quite evident.
braille_report_final_version.docx