Lisa Eileen Hall was born in Christus Schumpert Medical Center on December 3, 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana. CHRISTUS Schumpert St. Mary Place have been serving the Shreveport community since 1894 and have 4 locations in Shreveport/Bossier metropolitan area in the CHRISTUS Schumpert Health System.
An old medical term, RLF (Retrolental Fibroplasia) was an eye disease that occurred at birth because Lisa weighed 2 pounds and lost to 1 pound 13 ounces. Doctors only gave Lisa a 10 percent chance of survival. Lisa proved them wrong; Lisa was considered a "miracle baby". In the past, excess use of oxygen to treat premature babies stimulated abnormal vessel growth. Currently, oxygen can be easily and accurately monitored, and this is rare. ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) is currently the medical term being used today.
Lisa Hall attended primary and secondary education at Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from November 1968 through May 27, 1983. Lisa learned to read and write Braille at age 6 and have been reading and writing ever since.
At age 10 in the third grade, Lisa was diagnosed as having a mild to moderate hearing loss. It took 3 hearing tests to discover this loss. To this day, Lisa wears 2 hearing aids and is able to function at work, home, school, and in the community. Lisa also had speech and language therapy for several years until 8th grade.
Lisa Hall learned to play piano during fourth grade as well as learning to read Braille music. Lisa played piano all the way until graduation from high school. In the 7th grade, Lisa learned how to play the flute and later the piccolo. Lisa played in the concert band until May 27, 1983. The night before graduation, Lisa performed in a senior recital with her classmate, Yvette Pourciau, playing several piano repertoires and 1 flute solo. That night, Lisa played very well; Lisa's dream is to have a flute of her own. With money received as graduation gifts from friends and families, and the money her mother provided her, a dream did come true a week after graduation. In addition, Lisa sang in the high school choir as an alto.
Some of the extracurricular activities that Lisa participated at the blind school were as follows:
One week later Lisa enrolled at Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind (now called ( Lions World Services for the Blind) in Little Rock, Arkansas. While there she receive adjustment to blindness training, cane travel, career exploration, Braille, cooking, Typing, training in Secretarial Office Procedures and Switchboard Receptionist. Lisa was there until training was completed on June 4, 1984.
After the initial training, Lisa moved back to Shreveport, Louisiana to be with her mom to start looking for work. Being blind is not easy seeking work, however, blindness does not stop Lisa from doing anything Lisa wanted to do. With the help of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), Division of Blind Services, Lisa found work at Louisiana State University Medical Center as a Telephone Operator. Lisa worked there from September 1985 to November 1985. After Lisa was there for 2 months, she was let go from that job. During the time when Lisa wasn't working, Lisa was inputting all the doctor's information into a Braille large note taker called the VersaBraille 2 manufactured formerly by Telesensory Systems. This was the first adaptive technology that was purchased for her through Louisiana Rehabilitation Services. After that Lisa was unemployed for 5 months until Lisa received a call from her counselor letting her know about a position at Louisiana Association for the Blind. She decided to take advantage of their training program to gain more experience in Clerk Typist/Receptionist. Lisa started around May 1, 1986 and worked there for 8 years until April 29, 1994. This was one of the best jobs Lisa had because she was doing a variety of tasks including: typing, answering phone, writing messages, writing reports, grants, memos, etc. Lisa also did Braille transcription after receiving a VersaPoint 20 embosser formerly manufactured by Telesensory Systems, Inc. in the spring of 1987. Some of the things Lisa transcribed were menus, agendas, minutes, etc. Materials were provided to Lisa on either microcassette or standard audiocassette. Lisa then took the raw data and typed them into her VersaBraille 2 Braille display.
During the Summer of 1991, Lisa took 2 months leave of absence to attend University of New Orleans's - (formerly Training and Resource Center for the Blind) now currently called Training Resource and Assistive-Technology Center (TRAC), to gain some very valuable skills in learning to use a talking computer with speech output. While there, Lisa also learned how to use the Navigator Braille display connected to the computer. That was a breakthrough for Lisa since she could proofread her work like everyone else. Lisa learned DOS (disk operating system), WordPerfect (a word processor), Lotus 1-2-3 (spreadsheet), and DBase 3 (database management program). In addition, Lisa learned to use a DOS screen reader called Vocal-Eyes from GW Micro. Back then, Lisa used a hardware synthesizer either inside one of the slot of the computer or an external synthesizer connected to one of the serial ports on the back of the computer.
Lisa returned back to Louisiana Association for the Blind after receiving computer training. One of the things Lisa helped the agency is to put together a grant proposal for forming an adaptive technology lab housing some adaptive equipment for both totally blind and partially sighted consumers. Lisa assisted them in purchasing such equipment as Everest d Braille embosser, Navigator 20 Braille display, Vocal-eyes, several applications programs, and the Braille n' Speak (a talking note taker for the blind). Over the next few years Lisa provided training to blind consumers in Reading and Writing Braille, using computer in speech and Braille technology, and assisted the agency in performing manual production work such as counting items to be packaged into a box such as those 5-1/4 inch large floppy disks. Lisa had to put them on a conveyor belt to erase them and repackage them into a box. Lisa also helped labeled cardboard boxes.
In April 1994, things were getting worse at the agency. Lisa then turned back to Louisiana Rehabilitation Services to request more rehabilitation services. Lisa resigned from Louisiana Association for the Blind on April 29, 1994 and started to attend Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston, Louisiana. This program is run by National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana. This program is one of 3 centers run by National Federation of the Blind. Blind people run this program and they have an understanding of blindness and can set high expectation to those who have been blind all of their life as well as the newly blind. While there, Lisa received far more training in cooking, cane travel, housekeeping, Braille, typing, advanced technology training, Braille Transcription training, and participated in philosophy seminar in reference to positive attitude of blindness and how to cope with it.
In the fall of 1994, Lisa decided to take her first college course at Louisiana Tech University while attending Louisiana Center for the Blind. Lisa took "Introduction to Business Information Management" and made a GPA of 4.0. Lisa utilized a variety of blindness techniques in doing her college work such as using readers, using a Kurzweil reading machine in the library, using a Braille printer and computer at the Louisiana Center for the Blind computer lab, etc. Lisa had to use an older edition of the book for the course, however, Lisa hired a couple of readers to read materials onto tape so that she can go back and study them. Lisa even used readers for reading tests as well. Lisa let the Instructor know in advance that she would bring her own reader and needed a separate room so that she and the reader can do the test without disturbing other classmates who are taking test at the same time. It worked out very well for Lisa.
In January 1995, Lisa attended her first March on Washington Seminar, a yearly activity sponsored by National Federation of the Blind, in Washington, D.C. Lisa was given an opportunity to see what it would be like to lobby for blindness issues that was being presented to Congress for that year. Lisa remembered having to fight with Social Security issues in which the earnings limit was at that time linked up with the same earnings as the Seniors, however, after many years, the blind have not been able to receive the same earnings as Seniors. This hurts blind people in encouraging them to go back to work because they fear that their benefits that they depended on would be lost or taken away. Because Lisa has a double disability and has lots of adaptive technology equipment to maintain her independence at work and home, Lisa is still receiving her benefits. Lisa also had an opportunity to meet other blind students across the country that is attending college.
During this period Lisa did more training in Braille transcription learning how to use Duxbury for DOS as well as learning to use the Bookmaker Braille embosser, the workhorse of the best machine for Braille production. Lisa transcribed operating manual for Windows-Master, a screen reader for Windows 3.1 for a blind friend who needed the book in Braille. Lisa also transcribed the operating manual for the answering machine as well. Lisa was able to obtain the electronic file of the manual for Windows-Master, however, Lisa used a combination of techniques such as scanning the operating manual for the answering machine, however, and some pages had pictures in them. Before scanning, Lisa used a reader to cover pictures with post-it notes. Lisa used the reader to proofread the scanned document before making a Braille copy. Lisa learned to use a binding machine to bind the books.
Before finishing her training, Lisa went out to a hotel restaurant to eat dinner. Lisa spoke with the hotel management at Holiday Inn Ruston about an idea she felt needed to be done. Lisa asked for a Braille menu. The hotel provided her with one; however, Lisa felt the prices were all wrong. It didn't have any info as to who produced the document. Lisa told them that she could fulfill a need by producing a large print/Braille menu. At that time, it was hard to judge how much the menu would cost. All Lisa could do was give an estimate until the first copy was made. To produce the materials Lisa had to use a reader to dictate the menu in person since the menu was in columns and was impossible to scan it. The hotel also wanted to do a newspaper story in publicizing this need. Lisa gave them permission to do that. Lisa invited Joanne Wilson the Director of the Center, however, she was unable to do that. The Director asked her Instructor, Zena Pearcy, to represent Louisiana Center for the Blind. On this project, Lisa Hall made $76.00 for producing 4 copies of the menus in Braille/large print. The news story was published on Friday, March 17, 1995. This was a memorable event. This is where Lisa also had her graduating ceremony on April 10, 1995.
Before graduating from Louisiana Center for the Blind, Lisa was also seeking work. Lisa traveled by herself on both occasions to San Antonio, Texas to interview for a job at U.S. Long Distance ( Qwest Communications). Lisa applied for a position as Long Distance Operator. Lisa stayed with her blind friends, Peter and Mary Donahue, while she visited. Lisa even visited Region 20, (Texas Education Agency) that have a Division that produces Braille textbooks for blind children in grades K-12. In March 1995, Lisa got the job as Long Distance Operator. It was an exciting moment since this was the first job she found without using a state agency such as Louisiana Rehabilitation Services. Lisa called everyone on her list including the following: her mom, her sister, her brother, Joanne Wilson at Louisiana Center for the Blind, Lorraine Rovig at National Federation of the Blind who heads up Job Opportunities for the Blind Program, and her counselor. To celebrate Lisa went to Fiesta Texas with her blind friends the next day and had a blast.
Lisa rushed back to Louisiana Center for the Blind to finish the program. On April 10, 1995, Lisa completed the training program and received a freedom bell with an eagle on top. It says: "Changing what it means to be blind, Louisiana Center for the Blind, April 10, 1995, Lisa Hall."
Lisa Hall moved to San Antonio, Texas on April 29, 1995 and has been there ever since. Lisa worked at Qwest Communications for 5 years beginning on May 1, 1995 through August 10, 2000 as Long Distance Operator. After having that job, Lisa was let go on August 10, 2000. Lisa was unemployed for 2 months and found another job. Lisa worked at Sears Corporation as an Associate from October 9, 2000 through November 23, 2004. After four years she was let go from that job. Both jobs were found because of contacts Lisa made through National Federation of the Blind. Lisa knew both Sam Jackson and Mary Donahue as good friends and mentors in getting her started on the right foot. In both of these jobs, Lisa used an Alva Braille display that was purchased for her before she moved to Texas, however, the equipment was not in her hand until July 1995 after 2 months on the job. When Lisa left Qwest Communications she took the Alva with her to the last job. When Lisa got to Sears she ran into a roadblock. Sears did not have a screen reader for Windows NT, which was needed for the job. Lisa was not told in advance what operating system Sears were using. She contacted Texas Commission for the Blind for assistance temporarily until Sears purchased their own copy for her and other blind employees to use. Lisa also had to get the employer to purchase a split headset, which enables her to hear the caller in one ear and the speech synthesizer in the other. That was a challenge at first. After a few weeks of adjustment, Lisa was able to do the work successfully. Lisa reads the information on the Braille display with her fingers verifying important information such as name and address, items under warranty, checking messages from other associates in reference to customer's concerns, etc. Lisa even took time to Braille coke machines and microwave ovens so that she and other blind employees can use them effectively just like everyone else.
Lisa Hall has been living by herself in her own apartment since she left Louisiana Center for the Blind. On occasions, Lisa goes to visit her mom in Shreveport as well as attending National Federation of the Blind Convention, which is held in a different city each summer during the first week of July.
Lisa previously attended Grace Baptist Temple and brailled hymns for her 2 best friends, Peter and Mary Donahue. Mary Donahue sang in the choir and Lisa produced these choir lyrics into Braille so that Mary can participate with the sighted in the community.
Lisa Hall is President of National Association of Blind Office Professionals (NABOP), a Division of National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Lisa also served as Secretary for Greater San Antonio Chapter of National Federation of the Blind of Texas until spring 2003. Lisa is also a lifetime member of National Association to Promote the Use of Braille (NAPUB), a Division of National Federation of the Blind. In addition, Lisa is also a member of National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division and have served on the Board in the past and is assisting the organization in revising their current web site. In the past, Lisa served on technology committee with Warm Springs Resource Center of Rehabilitation Hospital assisting them in developing an adaptive technology lab for consumers in the Resource Center. In addition, Lisa volunteered her time as a Braille translator taking ASCII electronic text files from different sources and translating them into Grade 2 Braille for an electronic Braille project of International Braille Research Center (IBRC). Lisa Hall assisted her blind friend, Peter Donahue in creating the web site of International Electronic Braille Book Library. Lisa was a student at Northwest Vista College from Fall 2002 through May 2005 where she earned a certification as Textbook Braille Transcriber. At the time of this writing, she graduated on May 9, 2005 receiving a standing ovation as the first blind student to graduate from Northwest Vista College. The only course to repeat this summer is "introduction to Tactile Graphics." At this writing as of August 17, 2005, Lisa earned an "A" for completing the tactile graphics course. In August 2005 she received a certificate of completion. This is the first and only program of its kind in the nation--training people to become Braille transcribers. Lisa felt that there was a great need to fill this area. In addition, Lisa previously served on the Technology Committee assisting NVC staff in improving accessibility and had provided her expertise in training and consulting with them in improving disability services. At the time of this writing, Lisa had completed her work under contract with Northwest Vista College from home and had commuted on campus for training session, meeting, and any time the staff needed to meet with her for consultation. She was an Independent Consultant for Adaptive Technology from May 17, 2005 through August 8, 2005.
Lisa Hall found a job announcement through America's Job Bank and Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired's web sites and applied for a position as Braille Proofreader on or about April 23, 2006. She was very excited about how she found a job that matches her skills. She called the next day to verify the information and they were still looking for a Braille Proofreader. She sent her resume by email and received an e-mail back on April 27, 2006 for a phone interview the next day. She responded back to state that she was available for either the next day or Monday the following week. The interview went very well and she was offered an opportunity to take the written test by email. She received a call on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 and received e-mail with the tests attached. She spent all night and the next morning proofreading the two files and making corrections on the reports that she had generated. She sent the reports back on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 and received a call on May 5, 2006 to state that she was selected for the job. She shouted for joy! The victory was won! She made preparations to move to Cincinnati, Ohio. She had to select an apartment close to work, grocery store, bank, and many other places for her to do her business there. It was a very busy time for her getting everything arranged for the great big move. She could not have done it without the assistance of DARS Division of Blind Services regional office in San Antonio, Texas. She moved on July 8, 2006 and started work on July 10, 2006 right after the 2006 National Federation of the Blind National Convention in Dallas, Texas. right now in this job, Lisa reads 8 hours per day for 5 days a week, however, overtime work was required as part of the job just about every other weekend that began in August 2006. Lisa still have not establish a church home yet but will be doing that over the next few months. Stay tune for future updates.
Lisa's interests include computers, making friends, travel, reading, listening to all kinds of music, as well as providing technology training for blind people on her own time. Lisa also has an interest in providing training to blind people who want to learn to read and write Braille.
Lisa Hall had purchased her first computer system in 1998 running Windows 95, second computer in 2002 running Windows 98, and third computer in 2004 running Windows XP Home which were modified for her needs. Currently Lisa uses Jaws for Windows for speech access to Windows, Open Book for reading mail and other materials through speech output and an Alva 40-cell Braille display hook up to computer, Braille Lite 40 which is a Braille display and note taker for school and work, Duxbury Braille translator for translating documents from print to Braille, Jaws for DOS for accessing DOS applications if needed, Atlas Speak, a talking map program for learning streets of many cities in the U.S. before traveling, and the Doubletalk speech synthesizer as a hardware device for speech output for both DOS and Windows operating systems. In addition, Lisa was able to obtain a PacMate BX-400 braille keyboard with 40-cell Braille display (PDA) for reading emails on the go, reading books, and performing other computing tasks when away from the desktop computer. Most of Lisa's adaptive technology was purchased through Magnification Station, formerly located in Austin, Texas that sold a variety of assistive technology for the blind.
While Lisa was in her Spring semester finishing her Braille courses, Division of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services, Division of Blind Services purchased her a new braille watch, a new PacMate with braille display, and a new talking dictionary. She have received everything she needed and much more. The state paid for her move, paid for new hearing aids, and provided maintenance money to get back on her feet again so that she could become a tax-paying citizen again.
In conclusion, Lisa have succeed in many areas of life and hope to be doing more things in changing what it means to be blind.
To read about Access Technology Resources, select this link.
To read about Braille select this link.
Send Lisa Hall an email.
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