Read Naturally Launches Accessible Braille Resources
Author: Read Naturally, Inc.
Published: 2010/08/19 - Updated: 2025/06/18
Publication Type: Product Release, Update
Category Topic: Disability Visual Aids - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This article details the availability of specialized reading resources designed to accelerate literacy for blind and visually impaired students by adapting the proven Read Naturally intervention program. The information is authoritative and useful because it describes how teachers can access digital files in Unified English Braille (UEB) code, compatible with leading braille translation software, to provide braille or large-print materials for students at various reading levels.
These resources support both the Read Naturally Live web-based program and the Encore II audio CD series, allowing students to work at their own pace while benefiting from research-based strategies such as teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring. The materials are free for current users and are structured to foster autonomy and measurable progress in reading fluency, making them especially valuable for educators, students with disabilities, and seniors seeking accessible literacy solutions - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Read Naturally, Inc. announces the release of Read Naturally Masters Edition (ME) resources for blind and visually impaired students. This new set of resource CDs enables blind and visually impaired students to build reading fluency using Braille and large-print versions of Read Naturally's research-proven ME program. These materials come in response to a growing awareness of the need for Braille fluency tools. Studies indicate that with the development of technologies such as audio books and screen readers, Braille literacy has significantly decreased.
Main Content
Read Naturally's innovative, research-proven reading programs provide high-quality interventions and differentiated instruction for struggling readers in a wide range of abilities, from first grade through adults. The company's programs and assessments have helped thousands of students become better readers.
A recent study from the National Federation of the Blind shows that less than 10% of legally blind Americans read Braille today, compared to 50% in the 1950s. In addition, a study published in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness indicates that visually impaired adults who learn Braille as children are more than twice as likely to be employed as those who do not.
Read Naturally partnered with the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) to develop new resources to address this growing need.
Read Naturally ME is a structured reading-intervention program that enables students to work independently and at their appropriate fluency level to quickly improve reading proficiency. New Braille and large-print versions of the Read Naturally stories will allow blind and visually impaired students access to these highly-effective materials for the first time.
"Read Naturally is the most effective tool I have found for helping students improve their Braille reading fluency," said Jeri Cleveland, a teacher at TSBVI. "I love the level of autonomy and independence it offers. It is so gratifying to see my students take ownership of their Braille and reading skills."
The resource CDs include two types of files:
- Files for printing the Read Naturally stories in Braille (both Duxbury and Braille2000 format).
- Files for easily creating large-print versions of the stories.
These printed files can be used along with the latest versions of corresponding ME materials. Unit pricing varies from $69 to $159 per level.
For nearly 20 years, Read Naturally has focused on building reading fluency in struggling readers. With the development of Resources for Blind and Visually Impaired Students, Read Naturally continues its mission to help all struggling readers build fluency and become better readers.