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Nemeth Braille Code

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
October 28, 2017

​The Nemeth Code for math and science notation was developed by Abraham Nemeth in order to transcribe the symbols. The code uses the same braille symbols used in literary braille but with different rules. It is important for the Nemeth Code to be written without flaws as the student cannot use contextual clues to determine if there was an error as they can when reading literary braille. It is essential for classroom math teachers and the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) to communicate and collaborate in order to prepare for upcoming instructional units to prepare the student for upcoming symbols and formats they will encounter. For this reason, it is important for the TVI to have a good understanding of the Nemeth Code when they have a student on their caseload that requires the use of Nemeth.
​Teachers may need to refresh their skills as they can go years without working with a student who needs instruction in or the use of the Nemeth Code. Itinerant caseloads can change without warning so it is important to have sources of information and brush up on your skills periodically as you never know when a student may be added to your caseload that may require Nemeth instruction.  Although I have yet to serve a student on my caseload that is on grade level and braille primary, I have worked with braille primary students who need basic instruction in the Nemeth code but due to cognitive delays are significantly below grade level. In these instances, I have found the Nemeth Code Reference sheet from APH to be very helpful in re-learning or brushing up on the Nemeth Code. It is also helpful to obtain a math textbook in order to see how problems are correctly set up. This will allow you to learn the accurate way to write the problems and therefore follow the pattern when creating additional problems.

Nemeth Code Instruction Books

Picture of Nemeth Code Reference Sheets
Nemeth Code Reference Sheet I love this easy to use reference sheet! It shows symbols in use including numbers, omissions, comparisons, operations, money, geometry, fractions and other related symbols. 

Learning the Nemeth Braille Code
Learning the Nemeth Braille Code
This manual, available from APH is a great tool for learning how to produce Nemeth.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) provides Nemeth Code Reference Sheets designed to familiarize you with the proper Nemeth code for the common symbols found in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Set Notation.

Additional Resources

image of Nemeth checklist
I have created this Algebra and Geometry Nemeth Code checklist as a "cheat sheet" and also as a means to document student progress in learning the Nemeth code. You can locate this form in the Printables section and print it for your reference. 
braille keyboard reference
If you would like to produce ink print Nemeth braille to create your own cheat sheets or worksheets for students who are beginning to lose their vision or for parents, peers or others who want to learn braille, there is an easy solution! You will first need to download a braille font such as Duxbury. Once you have downloaded the font, use this ASCII keyboard handout to create simulated braille worksheets. Just be sure you provide the student with embossed braille. ;)
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