Learning Braille For Childrens
Learning Braille For Childrens
Learning Braille For Childrens
Learning braille - courses and resources for children and young people
There are several ways in which children and young people can learn to read braille. In this factsheet we explain about the different types of braille, provide information on the courses available for teaching children to read and write braille, and highlight useful products and publications available to purchase from RNIB. If you would like to order any items mentioned, or request a copy of our Braille Products or Everyday Living catalogues, either visit www.rnib.org.uk/shop or telephone our Helpline on 0303 123 9999. To make browsing and ordering easier, RNIB product codes are listed in brackets. Contents Learning braille - courses and resources for children and young people.............................................................................................1 It can help beginner touch readers to read materials in double line spacing at first to track lines more easily. Sighted people generally read braille by sight, so need reading materials with braille on just one side of the paper......................................................................2
Learning braille
Children who are learning to read and write braille will benefit from developing pre-braille skills first and his factsheet lists courses available for teaching braille to children. Most of the materials are aimed at young children learning to read through braille, and offer a phonetic introduction and systematic progression through the complete contracted braille code, with supplementary material at various stages. There is also a comprehensive course for older children transferring to braille, who need to learn a new way of reading rather than how to read.
It can help beginner touch readers to read materials in double line spacing at first to track lines more easily. Sighted people generally read braille by sight, so need reading materials with braille on just one side of the paper. Please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 if you need any further help with getting started with braille.
Braille courses
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Pre-braille skills
Feeling Ready to Read (TC21009) is an exciting pack of tactile graphic materials to develop pre-braille skills. It is based on the well-loved story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" and has over 100 fun swell paper exercises to practice skills including accurate tracking of lines, tactile discrimination, two-handed coordination and developing a light finger touch - all vital prerequisites for a future braille reader. Also included is a very simple version of the story with tactile illustrations for the children to "read" for themselves. A comprehensive guide for parents and teachers is included in the pack in print. This guide is also available for parents and teachers whose preferred format is braille (TC21010). It is not necessary to order the braille version of the guide if the parent or teacher is a print reader.
Introducing braille
Hands On Hands On is designed for a young child who is beginning to learn to read through contracted braille, and who has acquired prebraille skills. This brand new resource introduces the braille alphabet, alphabetic word signs, numbers 1-10 and some punctuation marks and short forms through a phonetic reading scheme. Divided into five levels, Hands On includes practice books, a booklet of fun activities and several real stories at each level. The whole scheme includes simple tactile pictures and puzzles to enliven the reading material. It is linked as closely as possible with the Letters and Sounds framework, whilst not compromising the need to keep tactually confusing braille signs apart. 32 Practice books which each introduce a letter, contraction, punctuation marks or numbers, and provide discrimination and word building exercises using them;
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Story books that can be read in any order once the practice books at that level have been completed; Fun books providing a range of activities and games, many including tactile graphics, which consolidate and extend everything learned so far and encourage tactual exploration and familiarity with simple graphic representations. Hands On is available to purchase as a full course (TC21359) or as individual levels: level one (TC21361); level two (TC21362); level three (TC21363); level four (TC21364); level five (TC21365). Each pack is accompanied by a quick start guide which contains all of the information you need to begin teaching the course. Reading Together Designed for young children, Reading Together encourages emergent reading and writing. Five or six letters with associated braille contractions must be taught before the "real" stories at each of the five levels can be read by the child. Print text appears above the capitalised braille in these humorous stories about Kali, Kai, and their friends and family. Levels one to three have a full text on the left-hand page, with a simplified version of the same on the right. Having been read the full story, the young learner should be able to read the simplified text and can also scan through the full text to look for familiar signs and words (indicated in bold print). Levels four and five are completely readable by the young learner. Reading Together levels one and two correspond exactly with levels one and two of Hands On. level three can be used after the letter Y is taught in level four of Hands On level four can be used after the letter W is taught in level five of Hands On level five can be used after level five of Hands On is completed. Reading Together introduces some additional dot
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5 contractions and extra shortforms. It is in capitalised braille throughout. Reading Together core pack (TC20916) comprises 10 stories - two at each level, and the teachers' notes in print. For adult braillists supporting the learner, the teachers' notes in braille (TC20917) can be ordered separately from our Helpline, please call 0303 123 9999. Reading Together extension pack (TC21096) comprises 10 stories plus accompanying teachers' notes in print - adding two more stories at each level for the child to choose from. Teachers notes in contracted braille (TC21097) can be ordered separately from our Helpline, please call 0303 123 9999. Braille in Easy Steps Braille in Easy Steps (TC21143) is a contracted braille course designed for latecomers (pupils between the ages of about 10 to 14) who are literate in print but are transferring to braille. No previous knowledge of braille is assumed, and the emphasis is on reading. The complete contracted braille code is introduced in small steps, with practice reading material in the form of quizzes, activities and stories. Some of the longer stories are accompanied by tactile maps and plans to add interest, and develop search and scan techniques. The capital letter sign is used throughout. The Braille in easy steps teachers' handbook is available in print (TC21145P) or contracted braille (TC21145B) and should be ordered separately. It includes the complete text of the braille course books, in addition to information on teaching braille to older pupils and details of the order of braille sign introduction. Books one to four are also available to purchase separately as a replacement pack (TC21144) as these early volumes are heavily used so they may need replacing before the rest of the course.
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young readers who have completed 'Hands On' or 'Braille for Infants' (no longer available). They introduce additional braille signs and a print version of the text appears on facing pages to encourage shared reading between sighted and touch readers. Capitalised braille is used throughout. Abi books 1 to 20 (TC21115) can be used with the following reading courses: Take Off series 1 and 2; Read On series 1 and 2; Get Going. Abi books 21 to 30 (TC20919) can be used with: Take Off series 3 to 5; Read On series 3 to 5; Get Going. Abi books 31 to 40 (TC21247) can be used with: Take Off series 5 to 6; Read On series 5 to 6 (please note that all Read On books are no longer available to purchase). Abi teachers' handbook is available to purchase separately in print (TC20553) and contracted braille (TC20554). The handbook contains the complete text of all 40 stories. Get Going (published 1999) Get Going contains many stories incorporating Scottish culture. It is designed for the learner who has completed 'Hands On' or 'Braille for Infants' and who needs to progress at a slower pace while learning additional braille signs. The print version of the stories is shown on facing pages to help with shared reading, and capital letters are indicated in the braille. Get Going (PR120236) comprises of 30 books and teachers notes, and can be used with the following reading courses: Take Off series 1 to 3; Read On series 1 to 3 (no longer available) and Abi books 1 to 23.
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character in both print and enlarged or standard size braille, and are ideal for braille learners. They are available in a range of different sized packs. Sense and sensitivity, written by Nigel Berry is a practitioner's guide, and focuses on how to teach braille reading and writing to adults and young people who are losing or have lost their sight. It provides a structure for introducing braille to new touch readers, guidance on establishing good reading and writing techniques and selecting appropriate resources. The book includes unique insights into the development of shape and pattern perception through touch. Nigel Berry, a true champion of braille, sets out the benefits of using braille at home, for study and in the workplace as part of a comprehensive communication package that enables blind people to regain maximum independence. Sense and sensitivity is available in print (TC21267P), contracted braille (TC21267B) and on CD-rom (TC21267CDR).
Welsh braille
Blind and partially sighted children can learn to read and write Welsh braille, using the Welsh Braille Code. The programme "Dechrau Darllen Braille Cymraeg" (Starting to Read Welsh braille) consists of 40 graded books. There is also a library of Welsh books in braille and a catalogue is available on request. For more information, please contact RNIB Cymru on telephone 029 2045 0440 or email accessibleinfocymru@rnib.org.uk
Braille music
RNIB's Music Advisory Service (MAS) supports people with sight problems in any aspect of music, providing information and advice on music education at all levels, from beginners to advanced studies. Contact the Music Advisory Service on 020 7391 2273 or email mas@rnib.org.uk The following publications support learning braille music notation:
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A guide to braille music notation, written by Edward Watson. Large print (TC20278) and contracted braille (TC20279). Focus on braille music, written by Lisette Wesseling Available to loan in print and contracted braille from RNIB National Library Service (contact the Music Librarian on 0161 355 2064). Purchase from Techno-Vision Systems Ltd on 01604 792777. Braille music for beginners (piano), written by Joan Partridge Large print (TC20011) and contracted braille (TC20185). It is also available to borrow from RNIB National Library Service.
Literacy assessment
Neale Analysis of Reading Ability
The Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (NARA) measures accuracy, rate of reading and comprehension in children aged 5 to 18 reading contracted braille. The test (in capitalised and uncapitalised braille) can help to plan teaching programmes, ensure that reading materials match children's ability, diagnose needs so that appropriate action can be taken, check specific skills have been acquired and probe children's interest in reading. The Neale Analysis of Reading Ability is being reprinted and should be available spring 2013. Contact education@rnib.org.uk to be kept informed about when the new edition will be available.
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Using the braille French code (TC20909), German code (TC20910) or Spanish code (TC20911) are available in print.
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impaired braille users. For further information or to order a copy contact havealookatthis@btinternet.com The braille trail - written by A Swenson and FM D'Andrea Based on the popular braille Bug, who happily inhabits American Federation for the Blind's website, these books offers students, parents, and teachers, a delightful and fascinating introduction to braille. Designed to teach sighted children about braille and encourage literacy among all children by using games, graphics and activities, along with a wealth of information on braille, assistive technology and the biographies of Helen Keller and Louis Braille. The braille trail activity book (ISBN 978 0 89128 863 3) and braille parent/teachers guide (ISBN 978 0 89128 862 6) are available from American Foundation for the Blind.
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Magazines
RNIB publish a range of braille magazines for children and young people. Blast Off! is for children aged 7 to 11, and contains factual articles, stories, recipes, jokes and puzzles; available in uncontracted or contracted braille Missy and Vibe are aimed at young teenage girls and boys. The magazines contain pop gossip, problem pages, interviews, sports news and real life stories; available in contracted braille. Braille at Bedtime contains short stories for 7 to 11 year olds, and is ideal for children to read to themselves or for adults to read aloud to them; it is available bi-monthly in uncontracted or contracted braille For a full list of magazines available visit our online shop, call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or read our online factsheet.
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ClearVision Library
ClearVision Library offers over 14,000 print picture books adapted to include braille or Moon on clear plastic sheets, so that pictures and text are not obscured. The books chosen are from popular fiction and non-fiction, and are mainly for pre-school and primaryaged children. They are designed for blind and partially sighted children, who are learning to read through braille or Moon, to share print books with their sighted families, classmates, teachers and friends. They are also useful for blind adults wanting to read with sighted children. For further information please contact the ClearVision Library on telephone 020 8789 9575 or by email info@clearvisionproject.org
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Braille products
Braille can be written using a Perkins brailler or with a hand frame and stylus to write dot by dot.
Braille machines
The Perkins brailler is a manual writing machine, similar to a typewriter, which produces braille on one side of the paper only. It has six keys, one per dot, and the combination making up any sign are all pressed together. The braille can be checked as it is written. There are five Perkins brailler models available to choose from: The Standard Perkins brailler produces up to 42 braille characters per line and weighs about 4.74kg. It is available with a blue enamel (BM36BLUE) or green enamel (BM36GREEN) finish. The Perkins brailler starter kit includes your choice of blue or green coloured Standard Perkins brailler, a pack of braille paper, a ring binder, carry case, labelling tape adaptor, braille eraser and labelling materials. The kit is available with a blue brailler (BM39BLUE) or a green brailler (BM39GREEN). The Next Generation Perkins brailler is a colourful addition to the range, and it is lighter (3.38kg), smaller and quieter than the Standard Perkins, producing up to 28 characters per line on A4 sized paper, with light touch keys and a built-in braille cell eraser. Available in midnight blue (BM41BLUE) and raspberry pink (BM41RASPBERRY). The Light touch Perkins is perfect for people with reduced hand strength. It is specifically constructed and tuned to reduce the force required to operate the braille keys by up to 40 per cent. It produces up to 42 cells to the line, and is available in blue (BM40BLUE) and green (BM40GREEN). The Jumbo cell Perkins (BM07) produces braille with larger dots and cells and also wider line spacing. It is useful for people who find standard braille difficult to read. The Unimanual Perkins (BM08) is similar to the Standard Perkins brailler but has been adapted for one-handed use.
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When keys are pressed on the left-hand side of the keyboard they remain depressed, until the spacebar or the keys on the right-hand side are pressed. The standard keys on a Perkins brailler may not be suitable for everyone and they can be replaced with curved (BM10) or straight (BM11) extension keys to suit people with limited dexterity or hand strength.
Electronic braille
Software can be installed onto a computer which then enables you to convert text from, for example, word documents, into electronic braille. One example of this software is Duxbury Braille Translation (HT106) which can convert text into both uncontracted and contracted braille. The converted braille can then be printed out using a braille embosser such as the Gemini embosser (HE07). There are many electronic braille displays on the market which link to a computer and provide the on-screen information in braille, instantly. They are made up of a number of braille cells which refresh with a new line of braille as you read down the page. Each cell has a cursor key so you can move directly to this letter so you can edit or correct it. One example is the Seika Braille Display (HT225) which has 40 braille cells and connects to a computer using USB. The Seika is one of the lowest cost braille displays and perfect for light use. Braille notetakers take things a step further and integrate a braille, display, braille keyboard and many features usually found on a computer into a standalone device. The latest braille notetakers offer both braille and speech feedback usually with a choice of voices. The BrailleSense OnHand 18 (HT254) is a portable braille notetaker with integrated word processor, email, web browser, media player, diary, WiFi and more which makes it a viable alternative to a computer.
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Braille frames
Traditional braille frames involved using a pointed stylus to prick out (emboss) the dots, so that the writer had to work from right to left, reversing the characters. This method is not recommended for braille learners now! The Braille King pocket frame (BF21) is an upward writing frame and uses a hollow-ended stylus to produce the dots, so you can write the braille from left to right. If you are sighted and unfamiliar with braille, you can easily write a greetings card or quick note to a blind friend. The Braille King roller frame (BF22) (also upward writing) is unique in that the paper can be fed through it line by line using the roller. Paper or labelling material up to A4 size can be used with the roller frame, and there are slots for producing labels on braille labelling tape. For our full range of braille frames, including both upward writing and traditional, please visit our online shop.
Braille paper
Braille paper is available in a choice of sizes, weights and materials and is hole-punched for easy storage in a ring binder. It is suitable for use with our range of braillers and braille frames. Lightweight paper is suitable for most personal work. Heavyweight paper is suitable for creating braille documents that need to last a long time. Brailon is a plastic paper used primarily to reproduce tactile graphics and useful for people who struggle to feel braille dots on standard paper.
Braille Labelling
The easy to use, hand-held Braille labeller (DL65) can produce self-adhesive braille labels on labelling tape, without needing any knowledge of braille. It produces uncontracted braille, although some contractions are available.
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Braille labelling tape is used for producing self-adhesive braille labels and can be used with the Braille labeller, a braille frame or a Perkins brailler when an adaptor (BM42 and BM43) is fitted. Clear self-adhesive labels (DL66, DL67 and DL68) are ideal for labelling items around the home and office in braille, and are especially suitable for consumables such as food in the freezer and toiletries. Thick plastic self-adhesive sheets (DL11) are ideal for producing braille labels for items with a long life, such as DVD and CD collections or items where a sturdy label is required. CD sized labels (DL52) are also available to add to crystal cases.
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Guarantee All of our products have a 12 month guarantee unless stated otherwise which starts from the date of purchase. Where can I have a demonstration of these products? There is a network of resource centres around the UK demonstrating RNIB products. Contact your nearest RNIB and Action for Blind People Resource Centre or local society for more information.
Contact us
Call RNIBs Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Email: shop@rnib.org.uk Browse our full range of online at www.rnib.org.uk/shop
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Contact Techno-Vision for information on Focus on braille music by Lisette Wesseling. Email: info@techno-vision.co.uk Website: www.techno-vision.co.uk Revised January 2013
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