jazzyjj ([personal profile] jazzyjj) wrote2019-03-28 01:49 pm

Being Exceptional

Hi! I've been asked to write about exceptionality. Specifically, my own exceptionality or why I feel that I am exceptional. I feel that I am exceptional because I have used inclusive technology in one form or another for a number of years. Since I have used it for so long, I know how it works. At the very least I know how certain inclusive technology works; only the stuff I have used. I don't even pretend to know everything there is to know about inclusive technology, because I am only one person and there are things that I have not used. I learned Braille grades 1 and 2 as a child, and am now fluent in them. I do not know grade 3 braille, or the new form called the Unified English Braille Code. But besides that, I have used screen readers with speech output. It is possible to use a screen reader with Braille, but I've yet to do that. I might never do that though, given the high and prohibitive cost of Braille displays these days.





But I'm not the only one who says that I am exceptional. Other people have said this too, and they've also told me that I am an asset to their class or whatever. This means a lot to me. I do not and have not let it dictate who I am though. After all, I cannot let this get to my head too much. I know that some in the disability community consider that sentiment not to be true, however. Some consider it an insult when they're told they are assets.