Promoting reading as a pleasurable activity
It is important to look for ways of promoting reading as a pleasurable and worthwhile activity. Reading materials should be interesting, attractive and clearly laid out.
A pupil should have as much choice as possible over the selection of personal reading. However, the teacher should use knowledge of the pupil's abilities and interests in directing that choice to ensure exposure to a variety of genres and authors.
The Ways of reading leaflet is designed to help you find reading materials in accessible formats for children of all ages. We also have guides to finding books for leisure and books for the classroom.
Individual texts
Pupils should not be expected to share texts with sighted classmates. They will need their own, possibly modified, copy of any text being followed.
Use of alternative media
Supplementary audio or video-taped material is invaluable to enable pupils to cover the expected breadth of texts in the time available, without compromising curriculum goals of skill acquisition.
Access to reference books
Research and project work necessitates the use of reference books and the selection of information from various sources. Pupils with sight loss may need the help of a support assistant to access information which they require. However, the assistant should work under the direction of the pupil who needs to develop the skill of thinking about headings under which information may be found, and understanding different ways of classifying information, such as alphabetically, by subject or by author.
The assistant should not take over the research task but merely enable the pupil to access the material. When the pupil has selected the material required, the assistant may give access to the content by reading it, or by transposing it into an appropriate medium, in cases where the pupil needs sustained or detailed access.
Dictionaries and thesauruses
Oxford large print dictionaries are designed to be clear and easy-to-use, with exceptionally clear print to make reading easier. The main font sizes range from 12 to 14 point.
Our Spelling dictionary for beginner writers is designed for new braille writers studying at Key Stage 1 and early Key Stage 2. Each word is shown in 18 point print, uncontracted braille (grade 1) and if applicable, contracted braille (grade 2).
Non-literary texts
Non-literary texts must also be included in a pupil's reading. These texts generally need to be studied closely, and the pupil is expected to draw conclusions, compare and contrast, and evaluate how language is used. Access to such printed material may be difficult, but the curriculum expectations may often be met through the use of taped material. An appropriate selection of current newspaper articles, letters, advertisements etc should be made available in large print, braille or on tape.
To obtain access to some reference materials, such as library books, pupils are likely to need the support of a support assistant, but technological equipment such as CD-ROM or an optical scanner, or CCTV can be helpful with suitable preparation.
Pictures and graphics
If pictures and graphics are to be used as a stimulus for any activity, suitable alternatives may need to be found for a blind or partially sighted pupil.
Our range of accessible image books contain coloured clear print and tactile black and white images, as well as accompanying supportive descriptions in 24-point print and contracted braille (grade two). These descriptions encourage the user to read the image in a structured and logical way and, if required, enable sighted assistants to support them.
Oxford Reading Tree
Stages 1 to 9 (Biff, Chip and Kipper stories) of the Oxford Reading Tree are available in the shared reading format - braille on interleaved clear plastic sheets, so the pictures and print story can be read underneath. The 2007 editions onwards have been produced in both uncontracted braille (grade one) and contracted braille (grade two) and they include the capital letter sign and the 2004 braille code changes.
The older editions of Stages 1 to 9 are available while stocks last and have been reduced in price. These are only available in contracted braille (grade two) and they do not include the capital letter sign or the 2004 braille code changes.
Stages 10 and 11 are available in single sided contracted braille (grade 2). Stages 12 to 16 are available in interlined uncontracted braille (grade 1) or contracted braille (grade 2). The books are available on A4 sized paper with non-capitalised braille only. They are not produced as shared reading books like stages 1 to 9.
ClearVision Library also has some of the books available for loan. For further information contact ClearVision on 020 8789 9575 or email info@clearvisionproject.org
Recording
Drafting
Increasingly, all pupils are expected to produce written work such as book reviews on a word-processor, and to draft and re-draft their compositions before completing a final version. Pupils who are blind or partially sighted can work in the same way, using suitable braille or enhanced print technology. Like other pupils, they may produce creative writing of a higher standard if freed from the constraints of handwriting.
A digital voice recorder may be ideal for some learners who wish to record lessons or lectures and make additional notes in an audio format.
Reading stands and guides
Reading stands encourage good posture by allowing you to raise the level of a book closer to your eyes. Used in conjunction with good lighting, reading and writing is made easier and the stands fold flat when they are not in use.
Reading guides (typoscopes) are designed to reduce glare and provide a small cut-out section making it easier to focus on a single line or small section of text.
Writing frames, pens and paper
Using fine or bold line handwriting pens with clear lined writing paper can help to make writing easier. A writing frame or guide may help learners who struggle to write in a straight line.