Braille Instruction MaterialsBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated October 28, 2017 If a student cannot attain a functional reading speed using large print or low vision devices to read regular size print, then braille should be considered as a complementary tool for literacy. Keep in mind, however, that not all students are good candidates for braille instruction. It is not only essential to have the cognitive abilities and foundational concepts, but it is important to have finger sensitivity and fine motor coordination to maintain sustained touch and systematically track across the paper. Developing Tactile Reading Skills![]() Flip-Over Concept Books: Line Paths This concept book, available from APH, encourages students to follow tactual lines and flip panels to find matching tactual lines in order to continue a line or pattern.
![]() APH.SQUID Tactile Activities Magazine This activities magazines, available through APH, introduce a recreational approach to tactile literacy. SQUID Magazine is deceptively fun: while your child or student enjoys a variety of activities, he or she will acquire skills needed to become a more proficient tactile reader. These puzzles, games, and brainteasers will foster: Texture discrimination, Systematic searching, Shape identification, Tracking line paths, Pattern building and recognition, and Understanding symbols
Learning the Braille Cell![]() Big Cell
This enlarged plastic cell model from APH is one of my favorite tools for teaching older students who are learning braille as a second mode, the positions of the dots. I use this with my students and they enjoy using marbles to create the braille characters. ![]() Swing Cell Compact
Although I tend to use some of the other methods more, the swing cell is a great tool to demonstrate the relationship between the braille cell and the keys on the braillewriter. It is more portable than the original swing cell. ![]() Pop-A-Cell
This braille cell, available from APH, is a fun and noisy way to learn braille. Students enjoy popping the cells to create braille characters. ![]() Peg Slate
This peg slate from APH is another favorite to use in teaching beginning users the braille code, but particularly the braille slate. ![]() I LOVE using the Braille Caravan jumbo manipulative braille cells from CAL-tac and so do my students! Unlike the peg slate, the pegs are smooth and glide easily to practice forming letters and contractions. Cells can be placed together (they have internal magnets) to form words.
Contraction & Sight Word Practice![]() Quick Pick Braille Contractions
This braille contraction flash card game, available from APH, provides students with another way to practice braille contractions. Each game card presents a question or other challenge with four possible answers. The student inserts the wooden stylus in one of four holes in the front of the case. If the answer is correct, the card will slide out. ![]() Braille Contraction Cards
These braille contraction flashcards in large print and braille, available from APH, includes alphabet, numbers, punctuation, composition signs, contractions, and short-form words. ![]() Expanded Dolch Word Cards
These braille/large print flashcards, available from APH, consists of 220 sight vocabulary words and 95 words with pictures. The cards can be used for reading practice or an informal assessment of a student's ability to read words in contracted braille and to spell words in uncontracted braille. If you don't have access to APH materials, obtain a package of card stock or index cards and cut it into smaller flashcards. Label the cards with print (either handwritten, with a labeler, or on the computer) and place the card in a braillewriter or use a slate and stylus to add braille. If you are working with a student who still has useable vision, you may choose to not add the print to challenge the student to improve their braille reading skills. Phonetic Support![]() Word Play House Kit
The Word PlayHouse kit., available from APH, is one of my favorite tools for teaching phonics activities. The durable Velcro tiles can be used to create a number of activities that focus on phonics, spelling, and phonemic awareness. I use this kit with the activities listed as the tiles are already made! If you don't have access to APH funds, you can create your own Letter Tiles with some minor adaptations. I've used these letter tiles prior to APH creating the Word PlayHouse Kit. I like them because they are made of virtually indestructible plastic. Clear braille labels can be added to the front of the tiles while Velcro can be added to the back. The problem of correct orientation remains for braille readers. A tactual dot can be placed in the top left-hand corner of each tile to help students correctly orient the tile. ![]() If you don't have access to APH funds, you can create your own Letter Tiles with some minor adaptations. I've used these letter tiles prior to APH creating the Word PlayHouse Kit. I like them because they are made of virtually indestructible plastic. Clear braille labels can be added to the front of the tiles while Velcro can be added to the back. The problem of correct orientation remains for braille readers. A tactual dot can be placed in the top left-hand corner of each tile to help students correctly orient the tile.
![]() A Califone CardMaster Card Reader is one of those "oldies but goodies"! In "Teacher Mode" you can record vocabulary words or simple sentences on cards (I prefer the blank cards that can have print/braille added). The student can listen to the card and practice reading it on their own. This is a great device for building fluency and allows the student to
![]() Turbo Phonics Kit
The Turbo Phonics Kit, available from APH, is a computer-based, phonemic awareness and phonics program for young students who are preparing to develop reading skills. Student performance is tracked in a self-contained database that identifies skills the student has and areas where the student needs further assistance. Emergent Reader Braille Books![]() Lots of Dots: Learning My ABC's and Counting 123
The Lots of Dots books, available from APH, are a coloring book series. They are designed for future large print and braille readers. The books are designed for sequential use; children develop character recognition, pre-literacy, pre-literacy, and pre-math skills, and eventually picture building and daily living skills. Accompanying each book are suggested enrichment exercises for each letter, number, or word, allowing a child to fully associate the print letter, the braille, the tactile graphic, and the object. ![]() Alphabet Scramble
This read-aloud storybook, available from APH, promotes emergent and early literacy skills. The rhyming story tells of a family of alphabet letters as each sets out to explore the page. As each letter takes a turn crossing the page - shown as a line of repeating letters - the child has the motivation to track along the line of braille, gaining skill in the hand movements used for braille reading. Reading Alphabet Scramble provides exposure to upper and lower case braille and large print letters, letter names, the sequence of the alphabet, and includes the letter word contraction associated with each braille letter. ![]() On the Way to Literacy: Book Sets 1-3: Early Experiences for Visually Impaired Children These sets of storybooks, available from APH, introduces large print, tactile illustrations, and braille. Illustrations provide opportunities to use finger and hand skills. Recommended for students 2 1/2 to 5 years old.
![]() Early Braille Trade Books: Rigby PM Platinum Edition Kits These kits, available from APH, are known for their meaningful stories with books that present a clear climax and resolution. Titles hook children with real storylines, and the steady growth of sentence structure scaffolds text complexity for incremental reading success. APH's Early Braille Trade Books Project provides commercially available books with braille labels and access to an interactive website
![]() Early Braille Trade Books: TWiG Books Kit 1 & 2 These Upper Emergent kits, available from APH, combines commercially available books with braille labels for beginning readers. This kit includes books, braille labels, and access to an interactive website.
![]() Best for a Nest
This large print/braille book, available from APH, provides an opportunity for the learner to focus on many concepts: the position of objects, prepositional phrases, and use of tactile symbols. Includes a storyboard with manipulatives to allow the student to participate in the storytelling. Braille Literacy Programs for Young Students![]() Building on Patterns: Primary Braille Literacy Program: Kindergarten This kindergarten level braille literacy program, available from APH, is a complete primary literacy braille reading program designed to teach beginning braille users to read, write, and spell in braille.
![]() Building on Patterns: Primary Braille Literacy Program: Second Grade This second-grade braille literacy program is a complete primary literacy program, available from APH, is a complete primary literacy braille reading program designed to teach beginning braille users to read, write, and spell in braille.
![]() Building on Patterns: Primary Braille Literacy Program: First Grade This first-grade braille literacy program is a complete primary literacy program, available from APH, designed to teach beginning braille users language arts: reading, writing, and spelling.
Braille Instruction Books for Dual Media Learners![]() Braille Connection
The Braille Connection: A Braille Reading and Writing Program, available from APH, is designed for former adult and teenage print readers how to read braille. This is a great program that I have used with teenage academic students who are learning braille as a secondary mode of learning. ![]() Blindskills, Inc publishes DIALOGUE, a quarterly magazine in large print, Braille, email, NLS-compatible digital cartridge and four-track cassette tape: that is designed for blind youth and adults who are experiencing vision loss.
2nd Edition Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets
$30.00
The 2nd Edition of Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. This newly revised edition provides an easy means for copying and pasting into braille translation software programs such as Duxbury or APH’s Braille Blaster for embossing. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. This second edition is formatted to a 32 cell width in print and simulated braille so you can anticipate when a student is approaching the end of the line whether you are providing face to face instruction or distance instruction. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These fun activities will help the student refine their keyboarding or braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although these word lists and passages were specifically created to document and increase braille reading and writing fluency, they may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. Finally, these worksheets can be used by print readers (e.g. peers, caregivers, TVI's who need to maintain braille skills, ect.) who are wanting to learn or maintain braille skills. Simply fold the worksheet in half to "decode" the braille, or read the print, produce it in braille, and check your accuracy. Note: This resource book is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page. The download will be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. *Single Instructor Use but may be copied for use with as many students on instructor's caseload Product details Digital pdf download: 405-page print and simulated braille worksheets Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English *Please contact me if you need to purchase using a purchase order. I am happy to help guide you in the process of adding Teaching Students with Visual Impairments as an approved vendor for your school or program or you can visit the product support page for information on using a PO. Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists: Grab & Go ECC Supplement
$25.00
The Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Grab and Go ECC supplement is a 446 page pdf downloadable print on demand workbook that includes 2940 vocabulary card on 3 1/2" x 2" templates divided by each of the 32 Thematic Units along with a checklist of each unit words in print and simulated braille. As a companion to the TVI's Guide to the ECC, the vocabulary cards correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. Tips for Use • Print a copy of this digital book. • Copy the vocabulary cards on cardstock or Manila Braille Transcribing Paper available from the American Printing House for the Blind or other cardstock. • It can be helpful to braille the cards prior to cutting them. If placing braille on the back of the card, however, it is easier to braille after cutting the cards out. • When placing braille on the front of the card, center it below the print. This way teachers, peers, or caregivers can see the print while the student reads the braille. • If brailling on both sides of the card, place braille below print on the front of the card and on the back, braille on the top of the card so as to not “smoosh” the braille on the opposite side. • Cut out the cards and cut an angled notch in the top corner to assist students in properly orienting the card. • If you are instructing a student that has residual vision, place the braille on the back or both sides of the vocabulary card. Encourage the student to read the word in braille and then flip the card over to check for accuracy. • Copy the checklist that corresponds to the current unit of instruction. • Use the checklists to document which vocabulary words have been introduced and student success. • The simulated braille is UEB contracted braille andcan act as a reference for brailling on the cards. • As the student writes or reads the words, use the opportunity to discuss ECC concepts and pare with ECC activities outlined in the TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC. Additional Use: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments can have a extremely varied caseloads. It is possible to go several years without having a student on your caseload who requires braille instruction. Like other skills, if you do not practice your braille regularly, it is easy to lose those skills. Use these checklists and cards to maintain your braille skills. Fold the checklist along the line dividing the print from the braille. Choose to either read the print and produce the word in braille using a braillewriter or read the simulated braille and decode it. Finally, these vocabulary cards and checklists may be used with family members or peers who are interested in learning and practicing the braille code. Note: This resource book is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page. The download will be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. *Single Instructor Use but may be copied for use with as many students on instructor's caseload Product details: Digital pdf download: 446-page print on demand resource Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English *Please contact me if you need to purchase using a purchase order. I am happy to help guide you in the process of adding Teaching Students with Visual Impairments as an approved vendor for your school or program or you can visit the product support page for information on using a PO. ECC Task Boxes, Functional Braille Literacy Activities
$25.00
The ECC Task Boxes, Functional Braille Literacy Activities is a Grab and Go supplement to the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. I absolutely love using this with my students! It contains suggested everyday objects for each unit (objects that can be found for free in the school or community, around your house, or purchased at the dollar store), vocabulary cards, order cards and simple reading passages. Data collection charts provide print and simulated braille. Print the vocabulary and order cards on braille cardstock and add the embossed braille. Similarly, braille the short braille sentences or copy into a braille translation software program and emboss copies of braille for the student. Minimize spreading of germs and make as many copies as needed for the students on your caseload. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities and units presented in the curriculum guide. These fun activities will help the student refine their functional braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units and incorporating real objects and tools. Although these vocabulary cards, order cards and passages were specifically created to document and increase braille reading and writing fluency and task completion, they may be used to build magnifier fluency by producing passages in regular or smaller fonts for near magnifier use or enlarged for distance magnifier used, or entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. Finally, these activities can be used by print readers (e.g. peers, caregivers, TVI's who need to maintain braille skills, ect.) who are wanting to learn or maintain braille skills. Simply fold the vocabulary card, order card, or worksheet in half to "decode" the braille, or read the print, produce it in braille, and check your accuracy. Note: This resource book is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page. The download will be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. *Single Instructor Use but may be copied for use with as many students on instructor's caseload. *Does not include objects or embossed copies of materials. Product details Digital pdf download: 313-page print and simulated braille vocabulary cards, order cards and worksheets Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English *Please contact me if you need to purchase using a purchase order. I am happy to help guide you in the process of adding Teaching Students with Visual Impairments as an approved vendor for your school or program or you can visit the product support page for information on using a PO. Remember to store braille books in bookshelves sitting on their end. Do not stack them on top of each other or it will flatten the braille! Braille Gift Items in my VI StoreBraille Crew T-Shirt
$20.00 - $26.00
This T-Shirt is Fuschia with the word "braille" in dimensional braille (brl) and a large text "Crew" with smaller text that reads "checking braille accuracy one sign at a time." All text is white. Each shirt design is custom made and hand pressed. The shirt is incredibly soft and slightly stretchy. Order a size up if you like a looser fit. The shirt is a Bella+Canvas short sleeve t-shirt made with side seams for added structure & fit unisex sizing, and shoulder taping. It is 100% combed ring-spun cotton with unisex style and is super soft and comfortable! It features a tear-away label if you prefer label-free shirts and it is pre-shrunk. The vinyl decorations are in white. If the size you need is sold out, please contact me so I can email you when the size you would like is available, or check back soon for availability. Also, contact me if you need me to create an order for your team. -------CARE INSTRUCTIONS------- Turn inside out. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach. Do not iron directly on the design. LOVE braille T-Shirt
$20.00 - $26.00
This T-shirt in charity pink features the four lines of the word "love" in pink glitter print. In the top row, the "L" is in white dimensional braille. In the second row, the "O" is in white dimensional braille. In the third row, the "v" is in white dimensional braille. In the fourth row, the letter "e" is in white dimensional braille. Each shirt design is custom-made and hand-pressed. The shirt is incredibly soft and slightly stretchy. Order a size up if you like a looser fit. The shirt is a Bella+Canvas short sleeve t-shirt made with side seams for added structure & fit unisex sizing, and shoulder taping. It is 100% combed ring-spun cotton with unisex style and is super soft and comfortable! It features a tear-away label if you prefer label-free shirts and it is pre-shrunk. The vinyl decorations are in pink glitter and white puff dimensional vinyl. If the size you need is sold out, please contact me so I can email you when the size you would like is available, or check back soon for availability. Also, contact me if you need me to create an order for your team. -------CARE INSTRUCTIONS------- Turn inside out. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach. Do not iron directly on the design. Social Distancing braille T-Shirt
$20.00 - $26.00
This T-Shirt in dark grey features the print text in light pink "Social Distancing" and the UEB contracted phrase below it in dimensional white vinyl that reads "If you can read this, you are too close!" Each shirt design is custom-made and hand-pressed. The shirt is incredibly soft and slightly stretchy. Order a size up if you like a looser fit. The shirt is a Bella+Canvas short sleeve t-shirt made with side seams for added structure & fit unisex sizing, and shoulder taping. It is 100% combed ring-spun cotton with a unisex style and is super soft and comfortable! It features a tear-away label if you prefer label-free shirts and it is pre-shrunk. The vinyl decorations are in light pink and puff dimensional white. If the size you need is sold out, please contact me so I can email you when the size you want is available, or check back soon for availability. Also, contact me if you need me to create an order for your team. -------CARE INSTRUCTIONS------- Turn inside out. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach. Do not iron directly on the design. The Braille Code Gives Me Feels Braille Alphabet T-Shirt
$20.00 - $26.00
This T-Shirt in dark grey heather features the Print "The Braille Code" in white along with the alphabet. Below the print is the phrase "gives me feels" in dimensional white braille. Each letter of the alphabet has the braille symbol below it in dimensional vinyl. Each shirt design is custom-made and hand-pressed. The shirt is incredibly soft and slightly stretchy. Order a size up if you like a looser fit. The shirt is a Bella+Canvas short sleeve t-shirt made with side seams for added structure & fit unisex sizing, and shoulder taping. It is 52% airlume combed and ringspun cotton, 48% polyester with unisex style and is super soft and comfortable! It features a tear-away label if you prefer label-free shirts and it is pre-shrunk. The vinyl decorations are in white. If the size you need is sold out, please contact me so I can email you when the size you would like is available, or check back soon for availability. Also, contact me if you need me to create an order for your team. -------CARE INSTRUCTIONS------- Turn inside out. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach. Do not iron directly on the design. Braille is Knowledge Louis Braille quote T-shirt
$20.00 - $26.00
This T-Shirt is navy and features the quote by Louis Braille in white that reads "Braille is knowledge and knowledge is power." "Braille is knowledge" is in print and the ending "and knowledge is power" is in contracted and dimensional UEB braille. Each shirt design is custom-made and hand-pressed. The shirt is incredibly soft and slightly stretchy. Order a size up if you like a looser fit. The shirt is a Bella+Canvas short sleeve t-shirt made with side seams for added structure & fit unisex sizing, and shoulder taping. It is 100% combed ring-spun cotton with unisex style and is super soft and comfortable! It features a tear-away label if you prefer label-free shirts and it is pre-shrunk. The vinyl decorations are in white. If the size you need is sold out, please contact me so I can email you when the size you would like is available, or check back soon for availability. Also, contact me if you need me to create an order for your team. -------CARE INSTRUCTIONS------- Turn inside out. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach. Do not iron directly on the design. 1 Corinthians 13 Love Heartbeat in Braille T-shirt
$20.00 - $26.00
This T-Shirt is in heather raspberry and features an EKG heartbeat with an outline of a heart with the word "love" in embossed braille and the Biblical reference "1 Corinthians 13". Each shirt design is custom-made and hand-pressed. The shirt is incredibly soft and slightly stretchy. Order a size up if you like a looser fit. The shirt is a Bella+Canvas short sleeve t-shirt made with side seams for added structure & fit unisex sizing, and shoulder taping. It is 52% airlume combed and ringspun cotton, 48% polyester with unisex style and is super soft and comfortable! It features a tear-away label if you prefer label-free shirts and it is pre-shrunk. The vinyl decorations are in white. If the size you need is sold out, please contact me so I can email you when the size you would like is available, or check back soon for availability. Also, contact me if you need me to create an order for your team. -------CARE INSTRUCTIONS------- Turn inside out. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. Do not bleach. Do not iron directly on the design. Small Love is Blind Black Canvas Pouch
$8.00
Express your love of all things related to visual impairments with these 8.3 x 4.7-inch canvas zipper pouch/pen pouch. The Love is Blind pouch features pink glitter lettering and a heart with white dimensional braille on a black canvas pouch. Two shades of pink ribbon are tied to the zipper for an extra splash of color. The pencil case is made from high-quality thick cotton canvas, which is lightweight and durable. The zipper works smoothly and the seams are properly sewn. It will keep your item safe and tidy. The size is 8.3" X 4.7”, and a small body will keep many contents. Lettering and images are high-quality heat transfer vinyl. It can be used for organizing little things in travel and daily life orderly. Such as your cosmetics, keys, coins, and other small accessories. They can be regarded as pencil bags, cosmetic bags, clutch bags well as gift bags. Small Social Distancing Grey Canvas Pouch
$8.00
Express your love of all things related to visual impairments with these 8.3 x 4.7-inch canvas zipper pouch/pen pouch. The Social Distancing pouch features pale pink lettering with white dimensional braille on a grey canvas pouch. The UEB braille reads "If you can read this, you are too close!" Two shades of pink ribbon are tied to the zipper for an extra splash of color. The pencil case is made from high-quality thick cotton canvas, which is lightweight and durable. The zipper works smoothly and the seams are properly sewn. It will keep your item safe and tidy. The size is 8.3" X 4.7”, and a small body will keep many contents. Lettering and images are high-quality heat transfer vinyl. It can be used for organizing little things in travel and daily life orderly. Such as your cosmetics, keys, coins, and other small accessories. It can be regarded as pencil bags, cosmetic bags, clutch bags well as gift bags. |
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Overview of Assistive Technology VI AT Resources Non-Optical Low Vision Devices Video Magnifiers Video Magnifier Instruction Screen Enlargement & Readers Low/Med. Tech Tactual Devices Notetaker Instruction Braillewriter Repair Tactile Graphics Technology Braille Technology Auditory Access Devices Accessing Audio Books iPads as Instructional Tools Making iOS Device Accessible iOS Accessibility Resources VoiceOver Apps for VI Note Taking apps Apps for Accessing Books Identification Apps Navigation & Location Apps Braille Apps Magnifier Apps Sound Making Apps Cause & Effect Apps Vision Skills Apps Apps for Early Learning Read to Me Story Apps Apps for Communication Android Apps for VI sensory efficiency
Sensory Input Encourage Use of Vision Sensory Area & Rooms Lightbox Use Sensory Activities for Students with Multiple Disabilities Sensory Tables Visual Efficiency Skills Visual Attend and Scan Activities Visual Tracking Activities Visual Discrimination Activities Visual Motor Activities Tactual Readiness Developing Skillful Hands Auditory Readiness Listening Skill Instruction independent living
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