Braille Apps

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated July 3, 2025
​Braille literacy is a vital skill for many students who are blind or have significant visual impairment. With the increasing accessibility of mobile technology, a variety of iOS apps are now available to support the learning and practice of braille. Whether you're working with a young child just starting out or an older student refining their braille skills, the following apps can help make braille instruction engaging and effective.

Braille Keyboard Apps

These apps allow users to input text using braille on a touchscreen device, supporting both communication and practice.
  • BraillePad EN. Free. A simple braille keyboard that allows users to write SMS, emails, and social media posts in braille.
  • Visual Brailler (APH). Free. A straightforward braille writing app from the American Printing House for the Blind. Ideal for practicing Unified English Braille (UEB).
  • MBraille. Free (with in-app purchases). Offers a mobile braille keyboard with support for both contracted and uncontracted English braille. Users can type, edit, and send messages or social media posts directly.
  • BrailleSense Smart Keyboard Free (for use with BrailleSense devices) A companion app designed to allow text input from BrailleSense notetakers, offering an alternative braille entry method for advanced users.
  • Braille Easy Free An intuitive app for typing braille using six-dot input, designed with accessibility in mind.
  • Braille Typing Free Simple practice app for typing braille with audio feedback and visual support.

Touch Gesture Practice Apps

Understanding touch gestures is important for students using VoiceOver. These apps help build foundational iOS skills.
  • Ballyland Magic App (Sonokids). $2.99. An interactive, educational game designed to teach children who are blind or have low vision to use VoiceOver gestures on the iPad.
  • VO Starter Free This app provides a beginner-friendly introduction to using VoiceOver and is especially useful for students just learning how to navigate an iOS device.

Braille Code Reference Apps

Great for looking up braille symbols, contractions, and Nemeth code during instruction or practice.
  • Braille Sonar Pro. $9.99. A searchable reference tool for contracted braille, some computer braille symbols, and Nemeth code. Ideal for educators and advanced learners.
  • PocketBraille Lite. Free. Introduces users to the braille alphabet and punctuation. A helpful resource for beginners and sighted peers or family members.
  • Braille Guide Free A basic but helpful app for identifying braille characters and reviewing simple UEB and literary braille codes.
  • Braille Decoded Free A visual braille learning tool that decodes braille dots into print with interactive examples and code references.
  • Braille Recognition Free An AI-powered tool that uses your device's camera to identify and translate embossed braille into print.
  • Braille Scanner Free Quickly scan braille documents and get a visual or audio translation, helpful for educators or dual media learners.
  • Braille Image to Text Free Uses OCR to analyze braille dots from images and translates them into readable text.

Braille Tutorial/Practice Apps

These apps offer structured lessons and interactive drills for learning the braille alphabet and UEB contractions.
  • Braille Pro. $2.99. A comprehensive braille tutorial app that teaches letters, words, and contractions. Includes built-in quizzes and a Help section.
  • Braille Driller. Free. Designed for sighted learners, this app helps users master the braille alphabet through drills and timed/un-timed practice activities.
  • Braille Tutor. Free with $1.99 upgrade. Users can practice writing UEB letters and basic contractions. The upgrade adds lessons on word signs, group signs, and shortforms.
  • Exploring Braille with Madilyn and Ruff. $1.99. Engaging and interactive app for young children learning the braille alphabet. Combines story-based learning with playful braille practice.
  • Braille Academy Free with in-app purchases A structured and gamified braille learning app that introduces alphabetic and contracted braille with progress tracking and quizzes.
  • Braille Trainer Free Practice translating print into braille and vice versa with increasing difficulty levels and feedback.
  • Brailliance Free A playful, game-based braille learning app that reinforces dot patterns and introduces contractions through engaging challenges.
  • Instant Braille Free Quickly practice random braille cells with immediate audio or print feedback.
  • Braille Editor Free Write and format short braille notes with customizable input and export options for embossers or print.
  • Braille Buzz Free (by APH) A pre-braille learning app designed for very young children, featuring audio cues and letter recognition games.
  • BRLTTY (for advanced users) Free (Linux-based tool available on Android) Although not an iOS app, this open-source screen reader supports braille displays and may be useful in advanced or tech-integrated environments.

ECC Instruction

Teaching the ECC
Thematic units
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development Functional Skills
Alternative Communication Emergent Literacy Braille Slate & Stylus
Tactile Graphics Nemeth Braille Code
Access Classes Cranmer Abacus Organization & Study Skills Time Management Listening Skills Instruction 
VI Assistive Technology
Social Skills
Self Determination
Sensory Efficiency
Independent Living
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational