Shea Anker is second-year anthropology student up at UNBC. Like a lot of students, she attends classes and takes notes, but unlike others, she uses a special braille machine.
As a blind person, she relies on her Braille Sense to take notes and present information, which is why she was heartbroken when someone stole it between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Shea says the machine is “absolutely of no use to someone unless they read braille.” Instead of a screen, it has a braille display that refreshes in real time, allowing Shea to read with her fingers. She can silently take notes in class and read off the display. Without it, she has to wear headphones to listen to lecture notes (which other students can read from their laptops), pay attention to her instructor, and type her own notes. She calls it “a great note taking device.”
Shea got her machine through a Minister of Advanced Education grant about three years ago. New ones start around $5000 which she says she can’t afford right now. If this one isn’t returned, she’s uncertain what the next step will be.
“I’ll have to fill out a bunch of forms and I’m not sure what the consequences are going to be whether I’ll be able to get a replacement or another piece of equipment that will do the equivalent thing.”
She says she’s willing to turn a blind eye to whoever stole it. At this point, she just wants it back.
“Please, if you know anyone or you know where it is just get it to the NUGSS (Northern Undergraduate Student Society) office and the university,” she pleads, “No questions asked, I just want it back please.”
So far she hasn’t had any luck finding it.
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