A Different Way to See - Part 2

Author: Kathleen M. Cleaver
Published: 2023/08/07 - Updated: 2023/09/10
Publication Type: Opinion Piece / Editorial
Topic: Blogs / Writings / Stories - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Learning braille is important as it promotes literacy, develops writing skills, increases knowledge and develops independence. Braille to a person who is blind is what print is to a person who can see. As soon as a child is diagnosed as visually impaired, a parent or guardian should enlist the services of a certified teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) through their state, county or local education office. This service is free under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Introduction

NOTE: This is the second part of the series "A Different Way to See", you may wish to read Part 1: "A Different Way to See: The Importance of Concept Development for Young children Who Are Visually Impaired" first.

What is Braille?

Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired, including people who are blind, deafblind or who have low vision. It can be read either on embossed paper or by using refreshable braille displays that connect to computers and smartphone devices. (Wikipedia) Braille symbols are formed within units of space known as braille cells. A full braille cell consists of six raised dots arranged in two parallel rows each ... (Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired) There are 64 combinations of dots that form letters, characters, or symbols in braille.

Main Item

Why is Learning Braille Important for Young Braille Readers?

Learning braille is important because it promotes literacy and develops writing skills. It also increases knowledge and develops independence. Braille to a person who is blind is what print is to a person who can see. At one point, with the invention of computer programs that converted text to speech, it was proposed by some that teaching braille should be discontinued because it was difficult for some to learn and it was too cumbersome. For example: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is thirteen volumes when embossed in braille. Fortunately, today with the advancement of computer programs, and portable refreshable braille devices print material can be easily accessed and converted to braille with a few simple computer commands.

Teaching Children to See With Their hands

Our world explodes with visual stimuli. As their vision develops, babies begin to reach out, move and explore their environment. A baby who is blind only "sees" what he touches. A friend who was totally blind expressed to me that she hated wearing gloves, because when she wore gloves she couldn't see. It is imperative that we teach young children who are visually impaired to see with their hands. How do we do this? Listed are just a few simple examples. Your home is filled with many objects that can be used as a simple and easy learning tool!

• Feeling and pretending to read braille
• Exploring and "Scribbling" on a Perkins braille writer
• Helping the child to sort and categorize objects and toys
• Using a 6 cup muffin pan and tennis balls to form braille letters
• Providing activities that develop hand strength (squeezing, pulling, pounding)
• By giving the child different shapes, textures, and sizes of objects to explore while providing the vocabulary that describes what they are touching.
• Look around your home. Any safe object, piece of furniture, surface, house plant, food (and the list goes on) can be turned into a simple and quick lesson on teaching children with limited vision to see with their hands.
• Playing with toys and singing songs that encourage finger strength and isolation) drawing on sandpaper or paper on screenboards, stringing objects, cutting with scissors, pushing buttons to operate toys, fingerplays, using fingers to poke dough, playing with toys that operate with buttons or keys).

Learning to Read and Write Braille

As soon as a child is diagnosed as visually impaired, a parent or guardian should enlist the services of a certified teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) through their state, county or local education office. This service is free under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).The TVI will guide you and help you acquire the materials necessary for you and your child to learn braille.

There are two grades of braille supported by the Unified English Braille Code (UEB):

Grade 1 braille is uncontracted braille that translates each print letter, number and punctuation sign into a braille symbol. It is the first step for learning to read braille. Using grade 1 braille for making flashcards, labels, sight words and writing simple experience stories is a great way for young children, who will be braille readers, to be introduced to reading. Using grade 1 braille is an inclusive way for children who are braille readers to learn alongside their sighted peers during their preschool years.

Contracted braille, Grade 2, or literary braille is a more complex form that is typically learned after learning uncontracted braille. It is the most commonly used form of braille. Contracted braille is a system of "short cuts" where one letter might represent an entire word. There are letter combinations, or contractions, that represent whole words without spelling out each letter in the word. This method reduces the overall number of cells needed and the volume of pages required to print books and other written content. Contracted braille takes up less space and improves an individual's speed in both reading and writing. This is the form of braille you would see in public places.(T.Base Communications)

After a child has become proficient in reading grade 1 braille they are introduced to grade 2 braille, first by learning whole word contractions. Each letter of the alphabet, when standing alone in a sentence, represents a word. For example; d stands for do, y stands for you and l stands for like. In learning to read the sentence, Do you like me? would be written in braille as d y l me? The child would learn that the letters standing alone represent words.

There are 180 contractions representing whole and part words in grade 2 braille. When teaching grade 2 braille contractions and rules for using them should be presented from the simple contractions using fewer braille dots to the more complex contractions composed more dots and braille cells. In order for children with visual impairments to become proficient in reading and writing braille, it is important that braille is introduced in a systematic and comprehensive way within a balanced literacy program. Building on Patterns - American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

Sources for Braille Books in the United States and Canada:

• PAths to Literacy
• Share Braille.ORG
• Xavier Society for the Blind
• Oakmont Visual Aids workshop
• Seedlings Book Angel Program
• American Action Fund for Blind Children
• Braille Institute - Braille Special Collection
• Braille Tales Print/Braille Special Collection
• Tactile Books for Young Children by Holly Cooper
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)

Conclusion

With the advancement of inclusion for people with disabilities, it is imperative that children who will be braille readers have the opportunity to "see' braille just as their peers see print. Grade 1 braille is easy for a sighted person to learn using their eyes. Teaching parents / guardians and peers to read and write grade 1 braille will give them a way to communicate in writing to their child or friend who is a braille reader. Working with a TVI is essential for providing braille materials, teaching and evaluating a child's progress in reading and writing braille and working with families and school staff in adapting visual materials so a child who is visually impaired can "see".

Series continued in Part 3: "A Different Way to See: Visual Impairment and School".

Louis Braille: Historical Perspectives: The history of Louis Braille, who became blind at the age of three and wanted to read, so invented Braille for the visually impaired.

Author Credentials: Kathleen M. Cleaver holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and the education of children whose primary disability is a visual impairment (TVI). During her thirty-year career as a teacher, Kathleen received the Penn-Del AER Elinor Long Award and the AER Membership Award for her service and contributions to the education of children with visual impairments. She also received the Elizabeth Nolan O’Donnell Achievement Award for years of dedicated service to St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments. Explore Kathleen's complete biography for comprehensive insights into her background, expertise, and accomplishments.