Braille Apps

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

The following apps allow the user to turn the iOS device into a braillewriter, provide braille instruction or provide help with the braille code.

Braille Keyboard

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Free. BraillePad (EN) allows users to write SMS, mails and social posts, more quickly using the braille code. 
 Visual Brailler app
Free. The Visual Brailler by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is a simple braille writer for the iPad. This app can be useful in practicing the UEB braille code!
 MBraille app
Free. The MBraille app provides the user with a mobile braille keyboard. Type, edit and send tweets and text messages using contracted or uncontracted English braille. 

Touch Gesture Practice

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$2.99. The Ballyland Magic App by Sonokids is an educational and fun iPad game specifically designed for children who are blind or have low vision to learn and practice a number of touch gestures for VoiceOver, Apple's built-in screen reader.

Braille Code Reference Apps

Braille Sonar Pro
$9.99. Braille Sonar Pro allows for the lookup of Contracted braille symbols, some basic computer braille symbols, and Nemeth code. The app is intended to be used as a reference and does not function as a full translation tool.
 Pocket Braille Lite app
PocketBraille Lite provides the ability for sighted and blind users of the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad to learn the Braille code. PocketBraille Lite lets the user learn the alphabet and punctuation symbols of the Braille code as an entry point to the language.

Braille Tutorial/Practice Apps

Braille Pro app
$2.99 Braille Pro is a tutorial for self-paced braille instruction. It translates English letters and words into the six-dot cells of the characters comprising the braille alphabet. The app teaches letters, words, and contractions and has built-in quizzes and a Help section to reinforce learning.
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Free. The Braille Driller is for students with vision learning the braille alphabet. In includes a review of the braille alphabet and four activities of increasing difficulty to help become proficient with it. All drills can be performed timed or untimed. 
Braille Tutor app
Free+. Braille Tutor allows the user to learn and practice contracted braille (Unified English Braille) on the iOS device. The free version includes practice writing letters and the contractions And, For, Of, The, and With. For $1.99, you can upgrade to lessons that include wordsigns, groupsigns, shortforms, as well as beginning and final letter contractions. 
 Exploring Braille with Madilyn and Ruff app
$1.99 Exploring Braille with Madilyn and Ruff was created to introduce young children with visual impairments to the braille alphabet in a fun, interactive way.

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