Braille is a system of raised dots, which enables blind people to read with the tips of their fingers. The characters are made up of variations of the domino six in its upright position. These dot patterns correspond to the letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation and some common letter groups such as THE and ER. A blind French schoolboy, named Louis Braille, devised the code.
There are many benefits to learning braille and it has given power and independence to so many blind and partially sighted people across the world. Contrary to widespread but mistaken belief, it is not extremely difficult for anybody over 60 years old to learn braille.
Find out more about the courses and support materials available to help you learn braille.
Buying and borrowing books
RNIB publishes audio, braille and large print editions of titles originally published in print by other publishers, which includes fiction and non-fiction books, braille music manuscripts and accessible maps.
-
You can search titles that are available to buy using the Book Site catalogue. We also have a wide range of Daisy books for sale and if you join the BookStream book club you can listen to Daisy audio book titles via your computer.
-
RNIB National Library Service is the largest specialist library in the UK with titles available for readers with sight loss to borrow. You can browse through the Library catalogue where you will find titles available for loan or sale, including a collection of books in Moon.
-
ClearVision Library offers print picture books adapted to include braille or Moon on clear plastic sheets, so that pictures and text are not obscured. For further information please contact the ClearVision Library on telephone 0208 789 9575 or by email info@clearvisionproject.org
Leisure, vocational and professional magazines
RNIB has over 30 accessible leisure and vocational magazines covering a wide range of topics and audiences. From magazines for children and young people to ones for adults specialising in technology, politics, physiotherapy, shopping, literature, puzzles, music and more. These magazines are all compiled from several original print sources to give readers a really good selection of articles in their chosen interest.
RNIB also offers four magazines for professionals containing original material which focuses on aspects of sight loss: NB is for all sight loss and eye health professionals; Insight is for parents and teachers; Access is the UK's leading magazine on inclusive design for professionals, campaigners and businesses interested in best practice and Vision is our exclusive membership magazine for people with sight problems.