Jeanine Mooers graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in May of 2002 with a bachelor's degree in music. Mooers started working for the University as a Braille proofreader in 2008 until 2015, then became a software accessibility tester. She has worked within the Disability Resouce Center for 14 years.
World Braille Day is Jan. 4, 2022. This is the birthday of the inventor of Braille, Louis Braille. World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
Read more about Mooers, her passion for music and Braille, and about some of her experiences at the University in her own words below:
"In general, my favorite memories [as my time as a student] are of listening to students practice or perform in their music classes, and of performing in the Concert Choir and Symphonic Choir. My favorite specific memories are of performing 'Carmina Burana' with the Concert Choir and Reno Philharmonic Orchestra back in 2000, and of having one of my original compositions performed by the UNR Women's Choir in 1999.
"My favorite part of my previous job [as a Braille proofreader] was learning new things from the textbooks I read, and my favorite part of my current job is using a computer as efficiently as my sighted peers, especially when the software I am testing can be used without sighted assistance. It is rewarding when accessibility issues have been resolved.
"My favorite spots on campus are the Church Fine Arts building, the new University Arts building and the Disability Resource Center.
"For those who are visually impaired and do not use Braille, I would urge them to learn Braille (a good place to start is the Hadley School for the Blind for distance-learning Braille courses) if they do not know Braille, and for those who use Braille, I would say keep it up. In either case, Braille is vital because it is the blind person's closest equivalent to print. Audio technology is fine in some situations for reading, but Braille keeps you much more engaged in what you're reading.
"A couple of things people may not know about me are that I am in a band called The Note-Ables, most of whose members have a disability, and that our band was recently chosen as one of 11 top finalists to receive a Danny Award in New York City. The award is for performing artists with disabilities. Also, two of my favorite things since childhood are chocolate and balloons.
"Being a member of the Wolf Pack means being in an environment where I can broaden my horizons by gaining knowledge and being in a creative space for making wonderful music together with fellow students and faculty.
"With regard to communicating to a person who is visually impaired, I would say don't be afraid to speak directly to me. People have a tendency, especially when I am with someone who can see, to speak to the sighted person when they want information about or from me, such as, 'What is her address?' instead of asking me for my address."
Faces of the Pack is a series designed to highlight the extraordinary and amazing student personalities found at the University. If you think someone’s story should be featured, email communications@unr.edu.
