During Community Time, guest speakers Larry Goldberg and Chancey Fleet visited the Middle School as part of a new initiative called Dignity Spotlight. Students welcomed Chancey Fleet, the Assistive Technology Coordinator at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library as well as Larry Goldberg, who spent his career working in the field of accessible technology. Chancey, who is blind, shared information about how people with visual disabilities can utilize the resources at the New York Public Library.

 

In a conversation facilitated by Goldberg, Fleet detailed her career at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library. She began as a volunteer, which was when she learned of a plan to pack up all of the Braille books and store them in a warehouse in New Jersey. Through engaged activism that included composing petitions and attending meetings, Fleet successfully fought to keep the braille books on the shelves. She soon became a full-time staff member at the library, where she trains New Yorkers with visual disabilities to use assistive technology and resources that are available to them.

 

Fleet expanded upon the definition of dignity, a core theme shaping schoolwide programs and conversation this year. Fleet detailed the most broad definition of dignity, “the right to live in the world” and expanded the concept to include two other factors: “being welcome and included” as well as “having confidence in yourself and the ability to learn skills.” Her work at the NYPL focuses on augmenting the confidence of and teaching skills to people with visual disabilities.

 

In a question-and-answer portion facilitated by Grade 8 students, Fleet responded to a range of questions: the difference between braille books and audiobooks, how she selects clothes in the morning, and the history of braille’s inventor, Louis Braille. The students were especially interested in her relationship with her guide dog named Elly. Fleet explained that a guide dog allows her to move with greater speed and agility when navigating New York City’s crowded streets than the alternative of a cane. Fleet’s work expanded students’ idea of dignity and inclusivity while also illuminating the many ways that assistive technology can help to realize the goal of confidence for all.