Braille Instruction Tips

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated May 27, 2024
​Teaching braille effectively requires careful consideration of various factors, including the student's age, intellectual capabilities, tactile and perceptual abilities, and additional disabilities. Here are some strategies to determine how to teach braille:

Consideration of Student Factors:
  • ​Assess the student's age and determine if they have other options for literacy mediums.
  • Evaluate the student's intellectual capabilities to determine whether the focus should be on functional braille or traditional braille.
  • Assess the student's tactile and perceptual abilities to ensure they have the necessary skills to learn to read braille.
  • Consider any additional disabilities the student may have and adapt instruction accordingly.
Make Learning Fun:
  • ​Create excitement and interest in using braille by writing braille notes and placing them in unexpected places.
  • Encourage the student to write notes in braille to others to practice their skills in a meaningful way.
  • Provide opportunities for more advanced braille readers to mentor others and feel proud of their braille skills.
Utilize Technology:
  • ​Incorporate braille access technology, such as smart braillewriters and braille notetakers, to motivate students with voice output.
Interactive Activities:
  • ​Engage the students in interactive activities, such as treasure hunts, where they follow directions in braille to find clues.
  • Tailor activities to the student's interests and themes to make learning braille enjoyable and relevant to their experiences.

​By considering these factors and implementing engaging and interactive teaching strategies, you can effectively teach braille to students and promote their literacy skills in a fun and meaningful way.
Material Positioning/ Stabilizing Tip: Keep braille paper from sliding on the table or desk by placing it on shelf liner, Dycem, or slip guard,

ECC Instruction

The ecc
teaching strategies
compensatory skills
Concept DevelopmentAlternative CommunicationEmergent Literacy​Access Print
​Pre-Braille ​Braille Code​​​Braille Formatting
​Braillewriter​​Slate & Stylus​​Tactile Graphics​Nemeth Code​Access Classes​Abacus ​Organize​​Study Skills​Time Management​​​​Listening Skills
assistive technology
social skills
Self determination
sensory efficiency
Sensory Input
​​​Sensory Areas & Rooms​​​
​Auditory ReadinessVisual Efficiency Skills​Optical Device Instruction​Tactual Efficiency​Tactile Readiness ​
Independent Living
​ Eating & Table MannersClothing IdentificationTelephoneFood PreparationMoney & BudgetService Agencies​SafetyHygiene & GroomingPersonal HealthHousehold Skills​​Shopping & Consumerism
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
career & vocational