As a summer intern for the Jernigan Institute, I have come to realize that there are many areas in which I must improve in order to gain more confidence and independence. It has been about ten years since I became blind and I have to credit the National Federation of the Blind for pulling me out of the dark path that I was going down. The Federation shed light on the importance of receiving training and as a graduate of the Colorado Center for the Blind I can state that I can confidently use the majority of the blindness skills taught there. My pride and stubbornness allowed me to leave the center with the perception that it was acceptable to barely read and write Braille. After my training at the Colorado Center, I returned to college and was still a successful student by using technology and other strategies to avoid the reality that I was still missing an integral piece by not applying Braille to my daily routine. Currently, I am comfortable with access technology such as JAWS, Kurzweil 1000, and Voiceover for the iPhone. My next move is to consistently practice and apply Braille. I had the patience to learn to use access technology. With that same patience, I must take my development as a blind person to another level in finally accepting the need for Braille.
  

My direct supervisor and the executive director of the Jernigan Institute, Anil Lewis, has shared how the Federation is here to challenge the interns and other Federationists to be better. The feedback from the Federation can be direct and probably like no other organization, the NFB tells it like it is even if it is something one would not want to hear.  Anil’s honest assessment of my skills in the areas like technology and Braille is a wake-up call that I have some limitations. For example, during our National Convention in Orlando Florida a critical part of the week was deliberating the types of policies that the Federation will engage in with the resolutions committee. I was selected to speak in favor of a resolution on the ABLE Act, which allows the disability community, including those who are blind, to set up an account that enables us to set aside money for to housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, etc. without impact on benefits such as supplemental security income. Since I focus on memorizing my presentations when I speak formally, I lose a crucial part of public speaking which is being comfortable and confident.  My presentation to the resolutions committee was a disorganized, rambling train of thought that could have been avoided if my preparation had included Braille and a concise set of bulleted notes (in Braille) to refer to as needed. I have experienced this situation a number of times in college and it is time to be proactive in being a well-rounded person.

The accessible technology week of our internship was timely. The access technology team laid out the various hardware and software options that I can use to be more independent and productive in school as well as in the work force. I realized that I can be a more proficient Braille reader and writer with the use of technology. Towards the end of the week I reached out to President Riccobono to share my thoughts and listen to the advice he had. He reinforced the value of Braille and emphasized how it is never too late to become more proficient. He suggested practicing reading and writing thirty minutes a day and including Braille in my daily routine. The use of technology to increase my Braille skills will be applied in increments and at different levels. The first level is to have hard copy of Braille to read through while listening to my screen reader, JAWS, or to Voiceover on my iPhone that holds various audiobooks, and to follow by listening as I read the Braille copy. The audio reassurance from JAWS can guide me in the recognition of words and gradually build speed. This is a basic and cost-effective way to combine technology and Braille, which allows me to practice independently. The next stage is to use a Braille display or BrailleNote that allows me to read and write messages whether it be email, notes, or other text, and which is an ideal option to increasing my reading and writing speed. This is a straight-forward plan for combining technology and Braille that requires a great amount of time and patience.   Consistent motivation and discipline in the use of Braille and technology will enhance my blindness skills. I will admit that this will be a difficult process especially as I near graduation with hopes of entering the work force, but as the National Federation of the Blind has shown time and patience in mentoring me, I must give myself the same energy in becoming a more complete blind individual.