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Learning Braille is Easier Than You Think
Parents Can Learn Braille
Learning braille may be one of the most important things you can do to support your blind child's education. Parents of blind children can and should learn braille. It is not hard. It is fun! When you learn braille along with your child it strengthens the relationship you share with your child, and enhances your child's self-esteem.
Last year I was asked to write an article for the Kentucky School for the Blind newsletter about why parents should learn braille. The American Printing House for the Blind reproduced it here.
Learning braille is something I feel passionate about. There are so many benefits to blind children whose parents learn braille. I have not seen any statistics to support this, but I believe that blind children whose parents learn braille have better literacy skills than children whose parents do not.
Usually parents think that braille is too hard to learn, or they just do not take the time to do it. The reality is that braille is easy! Sighted parents learn visual braille. The braille code is not complicated or hard. You can learn braille! This lens will tell you how to get started!
Learning Braille is Easy, Fun and Helps Your Child
Just Enough to Know Better
This is a great book that will walk you through the process of learning braille. Written particularly for parents of blind children, the author breaks down the braille code and presents it in a series of easy-to-follow exercises.
After completing the workbook, you will have a basic understanding of grade 2 braille... just enough to write a love note to your child or help her with her homework.
My daughter's tvi (teacher of the visually impaired) recommended this book to me when my daughter was in preschool. Since then I have recommended it to many parents. This book provides a simple structure for learning braille, and if someone follows the exercises they will end up with a basic understanding of braille. What could be easier?
Braille Poll for Parents
Where do you stand on learning Braille? Have you tried it? Is it something you want to do, have been meaning to do but putting off? Are you ready to get started?
Are you ready to learn Braille?
The Hadley School for the Blind
Free Courses for Parents of Blind Children
If you have not discovered the Hadley School for the Blind you are in for a treat. Hadley offers a broad range of free correspondance courses for blind teens and adults, and for parents of blind children. Just go to their website and apply. Once enrolled you can sign up for their free courses, including a course on Braille.
Learn Braille Free
You can do this!
Here are a number of resources for parents to learn Braille. These are free and only require an investment of your time. When you spend your time learning Braille, your blind child learns that he and his reading medium are valuable to you.
- Dotless Braille
This organization offers free braille lessons. - Dots for Families
This website contains free Braille lessons for parents. There is also a free Braillecheat sheet you can print. - Braille Through Remote Learning
More free Braille lessons are available here.
Sound Off
The main excuse parents give for not learning Braille is that it is too hard. If you are a parent, tell us what you think? Is Braille too hard for parents to learn, or is it easier than parents think?
What do you think?
More Books About Braille
If you want to learn more about Braille, hurray for you! Here are some titles to get you started!
I would love to know your thoughts about learning Braille. Share your experiences, your thoughts, your concerns. If you have questions, this is a good place to ask. If I don't know the answer, I will try to find out.
Share Your Thoughts Here:
I tried some form of braille many years ago, and wondered if it it would be hard to learn. I noticed that the tips of my fingers weren't sensitive, but thought that if I really applied myself I could get sensitive.
I have learned to write Braille, with a few of the contractions. I can read it with my eyes. It is a fantastic invention that really makes a difference in the lives of blind people.
I watched a short video on youtube on how to remember the braille alphabet, or at least how to figure it out. I certainly can't read braille, but if I had to figure out a word I think I could do it. This was the video: Learn Braille In One Lesson .
I'm a retired educator who taught at a school for blind children, but only for one year. I began learning some Braille during that time, and will say that it was challenging. Some of the teachers there could read Braille but most could not and I found that to be strange... it was a strange place in general but I adored the kids. Most had more than one disability, were not just blind but also other handicaps yet very sweet souls.
You've provided some great resources here. Well done!
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