WBU-AP (under 25 years old) Fine Work "Making the Best Use of Audio Devices and Braille-Related Tools" Cambodia Phoung Sophea (24/male) |
Blind and visually impaired people face the greatest difficulty in gaining accessible and appropriate services. Since we lack sight to help us in our daily activities, we rely most importantly on our ears for communication in our everyday life. Fortunately, to assist us and to ease our hardships, the scientists and anthropologists have developed a variety of audio devices and Braille-related tools. As a blind person, I rely totally on my ears as I live out my daily life. I use so many audio devices which include the television, radio, cassette-recorder, CD player, the computer with JAWS Windows software, the talking phone, and the talking watch. I also depend on Braille-related tools such as the slate and stylus, the Braille typewriter, and so on. Indeed, I have gained so much by being able to use such a wide range of audio devices and Braille aids. Firstly, they have truly liberated me from illiteracy and ignorance. For instance, I was blind from birth and could not go to school; it was a life of darkness and hopelessness for me. I had to depend entirely on my parents for all my expenses and needs. Since 2005, however, a great change came into my life. I was provided training by the Association of the Blind of Cambodia in the use of talking devices and Braille-related tools. Equipped with these skills, I felt like a new person who had worth and value. I was now able to communicate effectively with other people and there were so many ways for me to do this by using audio devices such as the tape-recorder, the talking phone, the email and internet. By typing on the computer, I could now contact people and friends in my country as well as in other parts of the world. The Internet also enabled me to search for all kinds of knowledge and information. With the tape-recorder, I could listen to recorded materials and documents as well as music and songs. Braille tools also played an important role in my life. By reading and writing Braille, I was able to correspond and keep in touch with blind friends in various countries, including Thailand and Japan. I used to have an exchange of letters every three months. The Braille tools also enabled me to make my own notes. This was especially helpful to me in managing the kitchen and in my cooking. I would prepare Braille tags and have them stuck on to the different jars of sugar, salt, pepper, super seasoning, etc. In this way, I was able to get at the correct ingredients whenever I needed them to do the cooking. The television and radio provided me with information on events that were happening all over the world such as natural disasters, economic developments, political fighting, and so on, both on the national and international level. Three years ago, for example, my family had a flock of chickens which we relied upon for our livelihood. One day Cambodia was hit by Bird Flu. Fortunately, we had been warned by radio and television about the possibility of this disease epidemic and we had been educated by the same media concerning the measures that had to be taken in order to be safe from the dangers and impact of the epidemic. Thus, we knew what to do to prevent our fowls from contracting the flu. In another example, there was a fast-flowing flood in my district last year. Thanks to the announcements of warning by the media system, we were able to protect our property and evacuate ourselves and our animals to a safer place. With regards to entertainment, I found an effective remedy in the music and jokes either on radio or on recorded form. They were really a great help in helping me to get rid of my bad mood or stress. Once, in the past, I remember how I and my family were living from hand to mouth and I was greatly troubled by our difficult situation. Fortunately, there was the radio and the tape-recorder to help me forget my problems at least for a while. As for Braille tools, they were essential in helping me to gain an employment opportunity ? I was selected to be the Librarian at the Association of the Blind of Cambodia. It was the Braille tools that enabled me to carry out my work independently so that I could be an effective Librarian for the blind. I am so proud and happy to be serving the blind community and to be receiving a proper pay cheque for my work. In conclusion, both talking devices and Braille tools have great significance for me and other blind people. They help to increase our general knowledge and they enable us to communicate with ease and speed; in fact, it is the audio and Braille tools that have made such a difference to my life by enabling me to have access to educational opportunities and eventually to employment. Indeed, we blind people benefit a lot from audio and Braille devices and I personally am most grateful for them. Without such tools, people like me would still be living in darkness and in ostracism from society. |
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