Learning

Learning braille

Summary: Information and resources available from RNIB about learning braille.

• What is braille?
• Tuition and correspondence courses
• Teaching packs for young touch readers
• Teaching packs for adult touch readers
• Teaching material for sighted learners
• Rule and reference books
• Braille reading practice for children
• Braille reading practice for adults
• Courses in development / out of stock
• Material for teachers
• Equipment
• RNIB contacts
• Other useful contacts
• Keep up-to-date with RNIB updates
• Ordering information and prices
• Factsheet - available formats
• Further information

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What is braille?

Braille is a system of raised dots, which enables blind people of any age to read with their fingers. Contrary to widespread but mistaken belief, it is not extremely difficult for anybody over 60 years old to learn braille. The characters are made up of variations on 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. Louis Braille devised the code almost 200 years ago.

Sensitive fingers are needed for reading braille, although even those with a less acute sense of touch are pleasantly surprised with how quickly their sensitivity increases with practice.

There is another system of reading by touch called Moon, for people whose sense of touch is not so keen. Moon is largely made up of raised lines and curves based on the shapes of print letters. A factsheet "Information on Learning Moon" is available from Customer Services.

There are two grades of braille. Grade 1 is a straightforward letter for letter translation from print. Grade 1 braille includes the alphabet, numbers and punctuation marks. Grade 2 additionally has special signs for combinations of letters together with a shorthand system, which reduces the size of documents by about 25 per cent, and generally increases reading speed. There are special codes for music, mathematics and foreign languages.

Braille can be produced in a variety of ways. An individual may use a slate and a braille stylus to make each dot separately or a braille machine, resembling a typewriter, to produce any combination of the six dots in one action. Increasingly, braille is produced via a computer and a braille printer (or embosser).

RNIB publishes a wide range of material in braille, including books and magazines. Ask Customer Services for more details.

What are the advantages of learning braille?

Setting about learning to read braille by touch is a challenging undertaking and even mastering grade 1 (the letters, numbers and punctuation marks) can take a considerable amount of effort. So why bother, when there are masses of books on cassette or CD and speech synthesisers on computer and other equipment?

Even a limited amount of braille enables someone to enjoy independence through labelling: items in the food cupboards, medicines, videos, CD's and seed packets can all be labelled in braille - so no more waiting for help. Being able to read just 15 braille letters enables a person to play games involving a pack of cards - anything from "Snap!" with the grandchildren to Tournament Bridge. Popular games (such as Bingo and Monopoly) are available in braille and others can be adapted by the addition of braille labels, enabling a blind or partially sighted individual to join in with family or friends in a wide range of leisure pursuits.

With a little more braille knowledge, a diary and address book can be kept, shopping lists made and messages in greetings cards read independently. To avoid the frustration of a heap of print correspondence which a blind or partially sighted individual may need help to tackle, many banks, utilities and other businesses can provide statements, bills, letters and catalogues in braille. Some restaurants and pub chains offer braille menus.

This is braille alphabet card (PR10223) / This is Welsh braille alphabet card (TC20802)

1 card is free
10 cards, £3.00
50 cards, £5.00
100 cards, £8.00
200 cards, £15.00
500 cards, £30.00
1000 cards, £50.00

This alphabet card shows the braille alphabet, punctuation marks and numbers and can only be ordered in the quantities listed above.

Tuition and correspondence courses

Some of the courses in this leaflet can be used for self-study, however it is often more enjoyable and efficient to join a class or be taught one-to-one. Your local voluntary society for the blind, or the Social Service visual impairment team may be able to help, or may be able to suggest college courses, local teachers or existing braille users who may be prepared to offer occasional support as a "braille buddy".

Certificate in grade 2 English braille

RNIB runs a correspondence course in reading and writing braille from grade 1 up to grade 2 English braille. No prior knowledge of braille is needed. The course is designed for sighted adults who are interested in using braille as a means of communication and support. These might include teachers, teaching assistants, support/care workers and parents. There is also a fast track option for sighted and non-sighted individuals who already have a good working knowledge of braille.

The course is accredited as a BTEC Advanced Certificate at level 3 and leads to a final examination which assesses all the skills learned.

There are two opportunities each year to start either mode of the course. Applications should be made by 16 January or September.

For further information contact the course administrator:

Telephone: 0121 665 4212
Email: DSTraining@rnib.org.uk

Certificate in grade 2 English braille - further information

Certificate in grade 2 Welsh braille

RNIB Cymru runs a correspondence course in reading and writing Welsh braille from grade 1 up to grade 2. No prior knowledge of braille is needed and this course is also accessible to non Welsh speakers who want to learn Welsh braille. The course is designed for sighted adults who are interested in using braille as a means of communication and support. These might include teachers, teaching assistants, support/care workers, parents and volunteer transcribers. An exam only option is also available for people who already have a good working knowledge of braille.

For further information, please contact RNIB Cymru Transcription on telephone 029 2044 9557 or email ALICenquiries@rnib.org.uk

Teaching packs for young touch readers

How the children's courses fit together

Pre-braille skills can be taught using Feeling Ready to Read.

To introduce children to braille use Braille for Infants and/or Reading Together.

Note: if using Braille for Infants and Reading Together in parallel, the letters K and O need to be introduced earlier than in Braille for Infants; K at Reading Together Level 1 and O at Level 2.

For continuous learning use Take Off!, Abi Books, Read On and Get Going.

Take Off series 1-6 can be used with Abi books 1-40 (Books 31-40 are in development) or Read On series 1-6. Take Off series 1-3 can be used with Get Going.

Take Off series 7-12 can be used with Read On series 7-12.

Abi books 1-20 can be used with Take Off series 1-2, Read On series 1-2 and Get Going.

Abi books 21-30 can be used with Take Off series 3-5, Read On series 3-5 and Get Going.

Abi books 31-40 (in development) can be used with Take Off series 5-6 and Read On series 5-6.

Read On series 1-6 (currently out of stock) can be used with Take Off series 1-6 and Abi books 1-40 (books 31-40 are in development). Read On series 1-3 can be used with Get Going.

Read On series 7-12 (low stock levels) can be used with Take Off series 7-12.

Get Going can be used with Take Off! series 1-3, Read On series 1-3 and Abi books 1-23.

Pre-braille

Feeling Ready to Read: a pre-braille pack for children

(TC21009) Feeling Ready to Read with teachers notes in print, £105.00
(TC21010) Parents and teachers notes in braille, free

This exciting pack of materials to develop pre-braille skills is based on the well-loved story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves". A comprehensive guide for parents and teachers is included in the pack in print. This guide is also available in braille for parents and teachers who require the text in braille. Please note that it is not necessary to order the braille version of the guide if the parent or teacher is a print reader.

There are over 100 fun swell paper exercises to practise such skills as accurate tracking of lines, tactile discrimination, two-handed co-ordination and developing a light finger touch - all vital pre-requisites 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.

Introducing braille

Braille for Infants

(TC20223) Braille for Infants set (braille booklets and cassettes), £35.00
(TC20229) Teachers' handbook in print, £5.00
(TC20396) Teachers' handbook in braille £5.00

Designed for the young child who is learning to read through braille. Braille for Infants was written by the Infant Level Working Party of the Association for the Education and Welfare of the Visually Handicapped (AEWVH) as a phonetic reading scheme.

It introduces the alphabet and some simple wordsigns, shortforms and punctuation marks. The booklets are short and aim to encourage reading and give the child a sense of achievement. The activity tapes encourage children to practice writing skills.

Comprises 27 reading books; 2 activity cassettes; teachers' handbook in print or braille (to be bought separately).

This reading scheme is due to be revised in 2007. Note: the teachers' handbook is currently reduced to the first two sections on how to use the scheme and this is reflected in a price reduction for the handbook.

Reading Together

(TC20916) Core pack with teachers' notes in print, £42.00
(TC20917) Core pack teachers' notes in braille, free
(TC21096) Extension pack 1 with teachers’ notes in print, £42.00
(TC21097) Extension pack 1 teachers’ notes in braille, free

Designed for young children and encourages emergent reading and writing. Five or six letters with associated braille contractions are 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 1-3 have a full text on the left-hand page, with a simplified version of the same on the right. The learner should be able to read the simplified text and can scan through the full text to look for familiar signs and words (indicated in bold print). Levels 4 and 5 are completely readable by the learner.

The core pack consists of two stories at each level while the Extension Pack adds two more stories at each level, giving four stories at each level for the child to choose from.

Continuing with braille

Take Off!

(TC20227) Course pack (series 1-12), £79.20
(TC20587) Pack A (series 1-6), £39.60
(TC20588) Pack B (series 7-12), £39.60
(TC20142) Teachers' handbook in print, £6.60
(TC20143) Teachers' handbook in braille, £6.60
(TC20136-41) Replacement books for series 1-6, £6.60 per series
(TC20501-06) Replacement books for series 7-12, £6.60 per series

Produced in consultation with the VIEW Children's Braille Committee. This scheme aims to develop a child's phonic skills, knowledge of braille contractions and wordsigns; it also encourages enjoyment of reading and writing. The course takes the learner to the end of grade 2 braille.

Each series is identified by the colour of the cover and a tactile illustration. A print version of the braille text appears on facing pages throughout to encourage shared reading at home and school.

Each booklet contains a practice page and story; booklets in series 1-10 also include a “fun page” of activities to encourage braille writing.

The Teachers' Handbook (available in print or braille) contains the complete text of the braille booklets as well as notes on the braille signs being taught, notes on encouraging good reading technique and a list of additional resources.

Comprises twelve series of booklets: series 1-6 have six booklets each; series 7-8 have five booklets each; series 9-12 have four booklets each.

Take Off series 1-6 can be used with Abi books 1-40 (Books 31-40 are in development) or Read On series 1-6. Take Off series 1-3 can be used with Get Going.

Take Off series 7-12 can be used with Read On series 7-12.

Abi: the adventures of a young blind girl

(TC21115) Abi: the adventures, capitalised (books 1-20), £25.00
(TC20919) Abi: further adventures, capitalised (books 21-30), £25.00
(TC20553) Teachers' handbook in print, £6.00
(TC20554) Teachers' handbook in braille, £6.00

These stories feature the adventures of a six year old blind girl. A print version of the text appears on facing pages to encourage paired reading and enables parents and others to enjoy the books with the braille learner. The booklets have tactile pictures on the covers and the humorous stories and experiences of the central character will appeal to the young reader.

The Teachers' Handbook (available in print or braille) contains the complete text of the 30 stories.

Abi books 1-20 can be used with Take Off series 1-2, Read On series 1-2 and Get Going.

Abi books 21-30 can be used with Take Off series 3-5, Read On series 3-5 and Get Going.

Abi books 31-40 (in development) can be used with Take Off series 5-6 and Read On series 5-6.

Read On: for England, Wales, Ireland and Overseas

(PR11575) Series 7-12 with Teachers' Handbook in print, £52.50

Read On: for Scotland

(PR11577) Series 7-12 with Teachers' Handbook in print, £52.50 Braille learning material for the Scottish Curriculum.

Braille learning material for the Scottish Curriculum.

A Teachers' Handbook is included with each set of books. The capital letter sign is used throughout the reading scheme and there are print facing pages to facilitate shared reading.

Read On series 1-6 (currently out of stock) can be used with Take Off series 1-6 and Abi books 1-40 (books 31-40 are in development). Read On series 1-3 can be used with Get Going.

Read On series 7-12 (low stock levels) can be used with Take Off series 7-12.

Get Going

(PR12036) With teachers' handbook in print, £52.50
(PR12025) With teachers' handbook in braille, £52.50

Braille learning material for the Scottish Curriculum.

Published in 1999. The scheme has been developed for the learner who needs to progress at a slower pace. There are five series with 6 books in each. The stories are based on home and school and include the same community as Read On. The print version of the stories is shown on facing pages to help with paired reading and capital letters are indicated in the braille.

Get Going can be used with Take Off! series 1-3, Read On series 1-3 and Abi books 1-23.

Welsh braille

Blind and partially sighted children in Wales can learn to read and write Welsh braille, using the Welsh Braille Code and Primer. The learning programme includes 40 graded books "Dechrau Darllen Braille Cymraeg" (Starting to Read Welsh Braille) which will help young children to learn.

The above materials are for sale; there is also a library of Welsh books in braille and a catalogue is available on request. For more information about Welsh braille, please contact RNIB Cymru.

Teaching packs for adult touch readers

Firsthand (grade 1 braille reading and writing course) by Nigel Berry

(TC20420) Firsthand, £15.00
(TC20421) Teachers' handbook in print, £9.00
(TC20422) Teachers' handbook in braille, £9.00

Firsthand is designed to teach adults, of any age, to touch-read and write grade 1 braille, primarily for use in such areas as labelling and reading and writing short notes.

Firsthand is not designed as a "teach yourself" course and should really be taught by someone with a good knowledge of braille and touch reading techniques.

The introduction of the letters of the alphabet and other signs is very gradual and gives the learner ample opportunity to assimilate and accommodate these signs and to practice touch reading.

The course consists of 7 slim volumes and a teachers' handbook is available separately in large print or braille.

On completion of volume 4 of Firsthand, the learner can choose to transfer to the second volume of Fingerprint to learn grade 2 braille (which will offer a much wider range of reading material), or may wish to stick with grade 1 and complete the remaining volumes of Firsthand.

Fingerprint (grade 2 braille reading and writing course) by Nigel Berry

(TC20284) Fingerprint, £23.00
(TC20344) Replacement pack (volumes 1-4), £6.00
(TC20842) Replacement pack (volume 10), £1.50
(TC20922) Replacement pack (volume 1 and cassette 1), £3.50
(TC20345) Tape script with teachers' handbook in print, £17.50
(TC20346) Tape script with teachers' handbook in braille, £17.50

This widely used course is designed to teach newly blind adults to touch-read and write grade 2 braille from scratch. It may be taught or used as a "teach yourself" course. Fingerprint has proved to be successful with young adults and older learners.

Since its publication by RNIB in 1993, over 7,000 copies have been sold in Britain and overseas. Fingerprint is based on a course developed at the Royal National College for the Blind in 1986 by its author.

The course fully covers grade 2 braille and comprises 11 volumes of braille and 10 cassettes, which allow independent use. A full transcript of the tapes with Teachers' Handbook is available separately in large print or braille, at extra cost, for anyone who prefers these to using the cassettes.

Teaching material for sighted learners

Everyday Braille

(TC20401) print, £1.00
(TC20393) braille, £1.00

This leaflet is for anyone wanting to find out about braille and how it is used, particularly the friends and families of blind and partially sighted people. Sighted people can learn the braille alphabet from its pages. It explains how even a little braille knowledge can be used to greatly enhance the life and independence of a blind or partially sighted person.

The Braille Primer

(TC20204) print, £9.80
(TC20395) large print, £9.80
(TC20183) braille, £9.80

This is a comprehensive guide to grade 2 braille for those people wishing to learn to write braille or for those wanting to become transcribers; sight reading practice is not included. While the Primer is unsuitable for teaching people to touch read braille, experienced visually impaired braillists may find it useful when teaching sighted learners or for checking rules.

The Birmingham Braille Course

Written by John Lorimer, Pam Lorimer and Steve McCall
Full set, £34.00
Rulebook, £10.00
Workbook in print, £9.00
Workbook in braille, £15.00

This course is available by post from the RNIB National Library Service. Prices are for the UK and Europe only and include postage and packaging.

This course, recently revised after successful use over some years, is intended for adult sighted learners who wish to teach themselves to read and write braille. The course comprises three parts, print and braille workbooks and a rulebook in print.

The workbooks have eleven sections, which are divided into stages, each containing explanation, reference to the rulebook and exercises. The material, most of which is original, provides for transcribing from print to braille (with a key for checking), from braille to print and for reading practice.

Rule and reference books

Check Your Braille: signs and basic rules of grade 2 braille

Written by John Lorimer
(TC20257) print, £5.00
(TC20258) braille, £5.00

This reference book has been designed to help anyone who has learned braille and would like to revise or just check up on the signs or rules. Volume 1 covers all contractions, punctuation, composition signs and the more frequently used mathematical signs and abbreviations. Volume 2 sets out the necessary rules corresponding to the signs dealt with in Volume 1.

The Braille Primer

(TC20204) print, £9.80
(TC20395) large print, £9.80
(TC20183) braille, £9.80

Primarily an instruction book with exercises for sighted readers to learn braille. The Braille Primer is also useful as a basic reference for anyone using grade 2 braille.

The Welsh Braille Primer

For further information or to place an order, please contact RNIB Cymru Transcription Team on telephone 029 2045 0440 or email cymraeg@rnib.org.uk

British Braille (2004 edition)

(TC20242) print, £7.25
(TC20241) braille, capitalised, £7.25
(TC21119) braille, non-capitalised, £7.25

British Braille is the standard reference for the rules of Standard English Braille as used in this country. It is compiled and published by the Braille Authority of the United Kingdom (BAUK), which is the braille standard setting body for the UK.

Fully revised in 2004 (to incorporate recent additions, amendments and corrections), it is an essential reference work for anyone involved in transcribing or proof-reading braille. British Braille includes rules for both capitalised and non-capitalised braille. Note that the text for both braille versions are the same, the difference is purely one of presentation.

Grade 2 Signs for Reading: a quick reference guide

This pocket sized braille booklet is designed to assist those new to braille who occasionally need to look up forgotten or unfamiliar signs when reading. All signs and shortforms are grouped by type in alphabetical order for easy reference and simple examples are included. Available free of charge from the RNIB National Library Service.

Braille reading practice for children

Oxford Reading Tree

(TC20491) Using the Oxford Reading Tree in print, £1.60
(TC20482) Using the Oxford Reading Tree in braille, £1.60

For a full list of the books available please contact RNIB Customer Services or ask the RNIB Library and Information Team for a literacy reading list via email.

The “Using the Oxford Reading Tree” guide is specially written and gives suggestions and guidance for using the Oxford Reading Tree books with children learning to read through braille.

Copies of the Oxford Reading Tree series for children 5-7 years old, stages 2-9 are available with the text in grade 2 braille, on interleaved clear plastic sheets. Each stage is sold separately.

Higher levels in the Oxford Reading Tree, such as Robins, Jackdaws and Magpies, plus playscripts, are also available in braille.

Oxford Reading Tree Treetops series for children 7-11 years old, stages 10-14 are available in grade 1 or grade 2 braille and offer top quality fiction with built in progression that can be enjoyed by children of all reading abilities.

ClearVision books

These are standard print picture books for nursery and primary-aged children, chosen from popular fiction and non-fiction, which have been specially interleaved with braille on clear plastic sheets in a choice of grade 1 or 2, but so that pictures and text are not obscured.

Their purpose is to enable blind and partially sighted children, who are learning to read through braille, to share print books with their sighted families, classmates and friends. They are also useful for blind adults wanting to read with sighted children.

Currently over 14,000 titles are available for loan and more are on the way. They include both fiction and national curriculum-related non-fiction. The library also has some books in one slim braille volume for newly fluent readers and is now rapidly developing collections of Moon books and tactile books.

Schools or public libraries pay a subscription of £50 a year; the service is free to families. For further information please contact the ClearVision Library.

Other sources

RNIB publishes a bi-monthly short story magazine for children aged 7-11: Braille at Bedtime (single sided braille), as well as a range of braille magazines for children and young people.

For more experienced readers, the RNIB National Library Service has a large collection of books in braille for children and teenagers available for loan, free of charge. The Library Service can supply catalogues in various formats.

Braille reading practice for adults

Ready, Steady, Read! - a magazine for new braille readers

Price £0.82 and £1.85 per issue

This monthly magazine is aimed at new braille readers and provides a stepping stone between completing a braille course and tackling a full length book. The articles are taken from a variety of current print sources, and reader contributions are also included.

The magazine is on good-quality A4 size paper and slim, with no article exceeding 1000 words; indeed, many articles are under 100 words, with complicated braille and long sentences avoided. It is hoped that including such brief pieces will be encouraging and confidence-boosting for new readers.

The magazine is aimed at adults of any age, and includes humour, gardening, items on famous people, wildlife, competitions and information, with readers being invited to suggest the type of material they would like to include.

Ready, Steady, Read! is available in 2 braille versions:

• grade 2 braille interlined (braille on both sides of the paper, blank lines are left between the braille lines to assist with tracking)
• grade 2 braille single sided (braille on only one side of the paper, but with lines normally spaced; this format may be particularly useful to those who read braille by sight)

Contact RNIB Customer Services to order a free sample copy or to place a regular order.

The Learner's Library at the RNIB National Library Service

The RNIB National Library Service offers a collection of books for braille learners, which includes a variety of short stories and other easy-to-read material in grade 1 or grade 2 braille.

Courses in development / out of stock

Abi: even more adventures (books 31-40)

Due to popular demand, a further set of Abi stories (books 31-40) which are parallel to Take Off series 5-6 are in preparation, and will be available from January 2007. They will be published in capitalised braille with print facing pages. The Abi Teachers' Handbook (print and braille versions) will be revised to include the 10 new titles, and will be available at the same time. See page 7 for information on Abi Books (1-30).

Braille in Easy Steps

Written by John Lorimer

This course is being revised and will be available from November 2006.

This teaching course in 14 volumes is designed for latecomers to braille and is aimed at pupils of average ability between the ages of 10 and 14. The emphasis is on reading braille, and the material is introduced in small steps, with no previous knowledge of braille assumed.

John Lorimer's wealth of experience as a teacher and researcher has greatly contributed to the structure and content of the course. The teachers' handbook introduction provides valuable advice and information on teaching braille to newly blind youngsters.

The reading passages in the braille booklets have been written by the author himself. They consist of humorous, traditional and adventure stories, as well as short general interest articles. Four of the stories are complemented by tactile pictures or maps. Capitalised braille is used throughout.

A Teachers’ Handbook is available separately in print or braille. It contains the full text of the course as well as introductory and teaching notes.

Read On: for England, Wales, Ireland and Overseas

(PR12029) Series 1-6 with teachers' handbook in print
(PR12031) Series 1-6 teachers’ handbook in braille

Read On: for Scotland

(PR12030) Series 1-6 with teachers' handbook in print
(PR11578) Series 7-12 with teachers' handbook in braille

These publications are currently out of stock. It is hoped that further stocks will become available by the end of 2006. See page 7 for the publications available for this reading scheme.

Braille learning material for the Scottish Curriculum. This course is divided into two sets: the original Read On books (series 1-6) parallel Take Off! series 1-6. The second set (series 7-12) fit with Take Off! series 7-12.

A Teachers' Handbook is included with each set of books. The capitol letter sign is used throughout the reading scheme and the second set of books has print facing pages to facilitate shared reading.

Ready, Steady, Read! (grade 1)

A grade 1 version of this popular monthly magazine for new adult braille readers will be launched towards the end of 2006.

Ready, Steady, Read! Is currently available in grade 2 braille.

Spot the Dot by Stella Fitzsimmons

This course is being extensively revised. Delivery date to be advised. Suitable for latecomers to braille at key stage 3 or 4, this course assumes no prior knowledge of braille or touch reading techniques. New signs are introduced in manageable groups with ample reading practice and exercises designed to encourage the learner to also write braille at every stage. The reading passages are a mixture of humour and adventure; much material is adapted from such well-known authors as James Herriot, Douglas Adams, Margaret Powell and Gerald Durrell.

Material for teachers

Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (NARA)

(TC20584) Neale Analysis of Reading Ability - £30
(TC20585) Additional record forms 1 - £3.50
(TC20586) Additional record forms 2 - £3.50

Do you teach blind or partially sighted children who use braille? Do you need to measure their reading ability? The Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (NARA) measures accuracy and rate of reading as well as comprehension in children aged 5-18 who use braille. The test can help teachers to achieve the following:

• plan teaching programmes for groups and individuals
• ensure that reading materials match children's abilities
• diagnose needs so that appropriate action can be taken
• check that specific learning skills have been acquired
• probe children's interests in reading

NARA consists of 2 paralleled standardised tests which allow the teacher to monitor children's performance without them becoming familiar with the passages.

The NARA (University of Birmingham braille version) pack includes:

• NARA Manual for Schools - revised
• NARA User's Manual in print
• NARA Individual Record Forms 1 and 2 in print - specially adapted for teachers to use with braille readers, highlighting contractions rather than words
• NARA Practise Tests in braille - two tests (for 5-7 year-olds and 7 upwards)
• NARA Forms 1 and 2 in braille - actual test for braille readers
• NARA Optional Diagnostic Tests in print and braille - enable teachers to determine what braille readers find most difficult. Designed so that teachers can read print alongside the braille reader

Guidelines and games for teaching efficient braille reading

Written by Myrna R Olson, in collaboration with Sally S Mangold

This detailed American textbook gives comprehensive instruction in the methods to be followed when teaching efficient braille reading to young children. The incorporation of rapid reading principles into braille teaching is emphasised. There are sections on pre-school experiences and problem readers. Available from Amazon. ISBN: 0-8912-81053.

Foundations of Braille Literacy

Written by Baker, Koenig, Rex and Wormsley

Addresses the teaching of braille reading and writing in the context of literacy in general, the whole language approach, and the way in which print reading and writing are taught. Both a theoretical framework and practical applications for instruction in braille literacy are provided. ISBN: 0-89128-934-8. Available in print from Amazon and print and braille from American Foundation for the Blind.

Instructional Strategies for Braille Literacy

Edited by Diane T Wormsley and Frances Mary D'Andrea

This award-winning, user-friendly handbook provides instructors with specific creative strategies and methodologies for teaching braille. Intended to help pre-service and in-service teachers develop their instructional literacy and braille skills, this comprehensive manual provides a wealth of information on working with children who have congenital or adventitious visual impairments as well as students with additional disabilities or who are speakers of English as a second language. ISBN: 0-89128-936-4. Available in print from Amazon and print and braille from American Foundation for the Blind.

Reading by Touch

Written by Susanna Millar

Published by Routledge. This work reveals a series of studies employing video recordings to analyse the exact hand and finger movements in both skilled and novice braillists. Questions posed include the differences between children and literate adults learning braille late in life and whether prose reading processes are the same for text and braille. ISBN: 0-41506-8371. Available in print from Amazon.

Let the Fingers Do the Reading

Available from the Scottish Sensory Centre. This video demonstrates approaches to pre-braille exercises. The material uses Scottish children. It is intended as an encouragement to teachers of braille. Running time: 24 minutes.

A Critical Evaluation of the Historical Development of the Tactile Modes of Reading

Written by Pam Lorimer

PhD thesis, December 1996. Available from VICTAR

Equipment

RNIB offers a range of braille writing equipment and paper, self-adhesive labels, and address book, games and much more. To view our full range of products please contact RNIB Customer Services on telephone 0845 7023 0153 to request a catalogue or visit our online shop.

Braille cube keyring (DH122), £4.69

The cube has raised dots in three independently revolving sections. These can be turned to form different braille letters and symbols.

Swingcell (LB17), £28.07

This simple wooden device designed for braille teachers shows the relationship between the six dots of the full braille cell and the keys of the Perkins Brailler. The two hinged arms form the shape of the braille cell when placed vertically together. When placed horizontally, they simulate the keys of the Perkins Brailler. Six removable pegs represent braille dots.

Standard Perkins brailler (BM36), £395 and £464.13

This is a manual writing machine, similar to a typewriter, which produces braille on one side of the paper only. The braille can be checked as it is written. The machine, which weighs about 4.5kg, has an enamel finish and is available in blue or green. Please specify colour when ordering; green will be supplied if no preference is stated.

Note: a jumbo dot model, uni-manual model or extension keys which require less pressure, are also available. Please ask RNIB Customer Services for details.

Perkins easy pay scheme

(TC21083P) Details pack in print, free
(TC21083B) Details pack in braille, free
(TC21083T) Details pack on tape, free

RNIB have developed an easy pay scheme for UK customers to spread the cost of purchasing a Perkins Brailler over a 12-month period.

Perkins for loan scheme

The RNIB has a number of new and re-conditioned Perkins Braillers available for loan (generally for 9 months) through the Perkins for Loan Scheme. A charge of £25 per machine is made.

For details of loan conditions or to request a loan machine, please contact the Perkins for Loan Administrator on telephone 01733 37 50 20.

Machines are currently being borrowed by blind and sighted learners, parents with blind or partially sighted children, colleges and local societies offering braille classes. Full instructions on using the machine together with a large pack of braille paper are included (see BP06 below), so that the machine may be used as soon as it arrives.

Perkins paper: punched (BP06), £4.69

120 sheets of heavy weight paper. Dimensions: 280mm x 290mm (11" x 11.5"). Weight: 2kg.

Coloured braille paper: punched (BP53)), £8.81

Supplied in an exciting 250 sheet rainbow pack, with 50 sheets in each of the following colours: marine blue, emerald green, orange, daffodil yellow and rose pink. This paper is A4 size.

Jot a Dot (BM38), £195.00 and £229.13

Pocket-sized, portable, mechanical braille notetaker enables you to compose a braille note, on paper, anywhere.

• Direct six key braille entry for fast and accurate braille
• Simply turn the Jot a Dot over to read your braille
• Tactile indicators help you find the current cell and line of braille you are composing
• A line indicator provides instant feedback on line location
• Does not require specific braille paper and uses lightweight paper
• This lightweight braille notetaker comes with a neck strap for easy transportation and instant access to writing braille.

Braille labeller (DL62), £29.99 and £35.24

Easy to use, hand-held labelling machine for producing self-adhesive braille labels, without needing a knowledge of braille. Produces grade 1 braille and some grade 2 contractions. Can be used with Dymo tape (see product codes DL53 and DL54).

Dymo tape, £1.40

(DL53) Clear 12mm
(DL54) Black 12mm

For use with a Braille Labeller (product code DL62) or your braille or large print Dymo gun (no longer available from RNIB). Ideal for a variety of labelling uses. The tape is 12mm wide and 3m in length.

Plastic self-adhesive sheets, £6.46

(DL10) Black
(DL11) Clear

These sheets are ideal for producing self-adhesive braille labels, either on a braille machine or using a hand frame. The labels can then be cut to the size required. With the clear version, print can be seen underneath. The backing sheet is scored in the centre for easy removal.

For our full range of labelling equipment and stationery please visit the online shop or ask Customer Services for a copy of our Everyday Living Catalogue.

RNIB contacts

• Online shop

RNIB Customer Service Centre

PO Box 173, Peterborough, PE2 6WS.

UK customers

Telephone 0845 702 3153 / 01733 37 53 50
Fax 01733 37 50 01
Minicom 0845 758 5691
Email cservices@rnib.org.uk.

Overseas customers

Telephone +44 (0) 1733 37 54 00
Fax +44 (0) 1733 23 85 41
Email exports@rnib.org.uk

RNIB Braille and Moon Literacy Development Officer

Telephone 01733 37 50 82

RNIB Library and Information Team

Telephone 01733 37 50 00
Email LibraryInfo@rnib.org.uk

Perkins for Loan Scheme Administrator

Telephone 01733 37 50 20

RNIB West Midlands

58-72 John Bright Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 1BN

RNIB Braille Tutor

Telephone 0121 665 4214

RNIB Cymru

Trident Court, East Moors Road, Cardiff, CF24 5TD
Telephone 02920 45 04 40
Fax 02920 44 95 50

RNIB London

105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE
Telephone 020 7388 1266
Fax 020 7388 2034

RNIB Helpline

If you or someone you know has a sight problem you can contact the RNIB Helpline, Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm:

Telephone 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525 (some callers may find it cheaper to call a landline, so we have detailed both 08 prefixed numbers and landline equivalents where available).
Email Helpline@rnib.org.uk

We can:

• Provide you with information and advice, including free leaflets and factsheets
• Put you in touch with specialist advice services
• Give you details of support groups and services in your area
• Offer a listening ear

Other useful contacts

Amazon

Amazon is an online retailer and a wide variety of books and other products can be purchased through their website. Access the Amazon website.

American Foundation for the Blind

11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001, USA
Telephone (212) 502 7600
Email afbinfo@afb.net or access the AFB website.

AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with sight loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.

ClearVision Project

Linden Lodge School, 61 Princes Way, London, SW19 6JB
Telephone 020 8789 9575
Email info@clearvisionproject.org or access the ClearVision website.

A UK postal lending library of mainstream children's books with added braille. The books all have braille, print and pictures, making them suitable for visually impaired and sighted children and adults to share. There are over 14,000 books in the collection, including tactile board books and a collection of books with Moon, simple stories for young children and stimulating books for newly fluent readers.

Routledge, Taylor and Frances Group

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford, OX14 4RN.
Telephone 020 7017 6000
Fax 020 7017 6699
Web Access the Routledge website.

Routledge, a member of the Taylor and Francis Group, publishes around 1,000 new books each year and has a backlist of over 7,000 titles in print. You can subscribe to email updates on books in your chosen categories.

Scottish Sensory Centre

Moray House, University of Edinburgh, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ.
Telephone 0131 651 6501
Fax 0131 651 6502
Access the Scottish Sensory Centre website.

The Scottish Sensory Centre promotes and supports new developments and effective practices in the education of children and young people with sensory impairments, that is; a sight problem, deaf and deafblind. It achieves this by means of CPD short courses, conferences, research and providing a postal resource library; and by dissemination of reports, research, course materials and new developments via this website, publications and presentations.

VICTAR (visual impairment centre for teaching and research)

University of Birmingham, School of Education, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT.
Telephone 0121 414 6733
Email victar-enquiries@bham.ac.uk or access the VICTAR website.

The aims of VICTAR are to: undertake social and educational research in the area of blindness of partial sight; offer training in the area and education through high quality and relevant professional development programmes; disseminate our work to ensure it has positive impact; offer advice and resources within the field of sight problems.

Keep up-to-date with RNIB updates

Book Sales Service update (email)

Keep up-to-date with the very best books published around the world and RNIB’s own publishing programme – sharing the expertise of the organisation with you, by subscribing to the free update from the Book Sales Service.

Contact: booksales@rnib.org.uk

Learning catalogue update (email)

Designed for educators and parents. It keeps you up-to-date on new products and publications from fun and educational toys to classroom resources and textbooks. The free updates are sent out four times a year.

Contact: education@rnib.org.uk

New books (email, braille, tape)

This monthly publication keeps you up-to-date on new books available for adults from RNIB. Listings are divided into reading formats; braille, tape and Talking Book (newly recorded digital titles only). New Books is also on website.

Contact: cservices@rnib.org.uk

Technology product update (email)

Designed for anyone with an interest in technology products for blind and partially sighted people. It will keep you informed about new products available from RNIB, from accessible mobile phones to video magnifiers and braille displays. The update is published bi-monthly and sent out by email.

Contact: technews@rnib.org.uk

Ordering information and prices

Prices are correct at the time of going to print. RNIB, however, reserves the right to change its prices at any time after the date of the publication of this factsheet, please contact RNIB Customer Services or visit our online shop to check prices and availability.

Prices include VAT, except where there are two prices. In this case the lower price excludes VAT and applies to blind or partially sighted individuals, resident in the UK, who are exempt from paying VAT on products that have been solely designed for their use. This also applies to charities including voluntary organisations that buy for or on behalf of blind and partially sighted people.

Delivery charges: RNIB will recover delivery costs where postage charges are incurred. Single copies of leaflets to individuals or orders delivered as Articles for the Blind will not incur delivery charges. Delivery charges will be based on the value of the items attracting postage costs on the following scale:

Up to £10 value = £1 delivery
£10.01 - £30 = £2.95 delivery
£30.01 and above = £4.95 delivery

There may be a courier cost for high value or large orders for security and insurance reasons.

To place UK orders please contact RNIB UK Customer Service Centre, PO Box 173, Peterborough, PE2 6WS. Telephone 0845 7023 153, fax 01733 375001, minicom 0845 7585 691, email cservices@rnib.org.uk or visit the Online Shop.

All prices quoted in this factsheet are for UK only. If you would like information on RNIB Export prices please contact RNIB Exports, PO Box, 173, Peterborough, PE2 6WS. Telephone +44 (0) 1733 37 54 00, fax +44 (0) 1733 23 85 41, email exports@rnib.org.uk

Export prices are paid on all goods going overseas. Postage may be charged in addition.

Factsheet - available formats

This factsheet is available in the following formats from RNIB Customer Services:

(FS26) print
(FS27) braille
(FS28) tape

It is also available by email on request and on the RNIB website.

Revised: June 2006
Registered charity number: 226227

Further information

Back to braille homepage

Content author: cservices@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 22/07/2008 10:47