American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Special Issue on Braille LIVING AND LEARNING
Braille Reflection
by Raquel Montoya
From the Editor: Raquel Montoya grew up in Escondido, California, and she serves as secretary of the NFB of California’s Escondido Chapter. She is a volunteer storyteller, and she plans to write a memoir.
My name is Raquel, and for nearly my entire life I have been using Braille. Braille has made a huge impact on my life. Reading Braille has taught me to be independent, confident, and ready for the real world.
When I started to learn Braille, it was very challenging. I struggled with the contractions. I had difficulty telling the difference between an M and a SH sign. I still have that problem sometimes, but I do the best I can. Braille has inspired me.
When I was in college, I wasn’t a good note-taker using Braille. I wasn’t a good note-taker until I became secretary of my local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. The president of my chapter taught me to take notes in Braille before I wrote the minutes. I write down notes in Braille in case there are corrections that need to be addressed. I love being chapter secretary, and I have gotten much better at writing down notes in Braille.
Braille has taught me not to get caught up with too much high technology. We never know if the satellite will go out. Braille has prepared me to keep up with the basics of what I learned when I was in school. There was no high tech when I was in elementary school back in the 1980s. Even though I am thankful to have computers and cellphones, I try to stick to the basics, using my Perkins Braillewriter.
About six months ago, I ordered an NLS e-Reader through the Braille Institute in Los Angeles. This device is available for free through the National Library Service for the Blind and People with Disabilities, which is part of the Library of Congress. I am very grateful to have an e-reader.
I am a volunteer storyteller, reading to a blind third grader on Zoom. Since I want to work with children who are blind, I am starting off as a storyteller. Every week I download a children’s book on my e-reader from a list of titles the teacher emails me. The teacher needs to make sure I am reading books at the student’s level.
I take my display to church and my women’s Bible study every Thursday. I am getting more acquainted with the e-Reader, but I still need to become familiar with some more things. I will go over the book on the display and learn more about the machine.
I am deciding if I want to become a Braille transcriber or proofreader in the future. I have been talking to some people about how Braille transcribing works, as well as proofreading. I need to find out how Braille transcribers read their books in order to transcribe. I want to transcribe for school districts so blind students can have access to Braille books.
I believe Braille makes a huge difference for blind students. It helps them live the lives they want. We may be living in a world full of technology, but learning Braille is still important. It makes blind people more self-sufficient and prepares us for school and work. Braille should always be taught to blind students. That is what Braille means to me.