DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs

Transcribe
Translate

Page 89

UNFOLDING YEARS, 89

were going each year into established libraries and new collections were being started. Our work for students had become a vital part of the educational system. I worked hard and my responsibilities were great. Still it was all easier than it had been back at the beginning. Then I had worked under supervision and much of my work had required physical effort. Now it was largely mental and my mind had always been stronger than my body. I had learned a lot by experience and had gained in self-confidence and the ability to inspire others. 
For one who has initiative, who can take responsibility and keep his head in the face of difficulties, who can get along with all kinds of people I believe that an executive position is far easier than doing the routine work. This is especially true of one without sight for as has been so aptly said: "The mind hath a thousand eyes" The loss of physical sight cannot impair their vision but rather makes it more keen and efficient. All my life I had been learning. It seemed that each experience had in a way prepared me for what I was now accomplishing, and the joy and pleasure it brought me was in itself satisfying and rewarding. 
When in 1917 we adopted Braille, Grade One and a Half, we thought our troubles were over. But no sooner were we launched on the new system that murmurings arose. It was said that we had no uniformity since England continued to use Grade Two, which as far more highly contracted than our braille. At the World Conference in 1931 it was decided to have a joint committee of English and Americans to study the whole matter. In the spring of 1932 this committee met in London and again I was urged to be one of the American representatives. At that very time I was sick in bed and had to turn down another opportunity to go abroad -- and that proved to be my last chance. Later, as a result of this meeting, it was decided to adopt English Braille, Grade Two , as our standard type. However, the Americans reserved the right to retain certain forms and usages. This meant the formulating of new rules for the use of publishers and transcribers.

Saving...

UNFOLDING YEARS, 89 were going each year into established libraries and new collections were being started. Our work for students had become a vital part of the educational system. I worked hard and my responsibilities were great. Still it was all easier than it had been back at the beginning. Then I had worked under supervision and much of my work had required physical effort. Now it was largely mental and my mind had always been stronger than my body. I had learned a lot by experience and had gained in self-confidence and the ability to inspire others. For one who has initiative, who can take responsibility and keep his head in the face of difficulties, who can get along with all kinds of people I believe that an executive position is far easier than doing the routine work. This is especially true of one without sight for as has been so aptly said: "The mind hath a thousand eyes" The loss of physical sight cannot impair their vision but rather makes it more keen and efficient. All my life I had been learning. It seemed that each experience had in a way prepared me for what I was now accomplishing, and the joy and pleasure it brought me was in itself satisfying and rewarding. When in 1917 we adopted Braille, Grade One and a Half, we thought our troubles were over. But no sooner were we launched on the new system that murmurings arose. It was said that we had no uniformity since England continued to use Grade Two, which as far more highly contracted than our braille. At the World Conference in 1931 it was decided to have a joint committee of English and Americans to study the whole matter. In the spring of 1932 this committee met in London and again I was urged to be one of the American representatives. At that very time I was sick in bed and had to turn down another opportunity to go abroad -- and that proved to be my last chance. Later, as a result of this meeting, it was decided to adopt English Braille, Grade Two , as our standard type. However, the Americans reserved the right to retain certain forms and usages. This meant the formulating of new rules for the use of publishers and transcribers.