At the same time, students must learn to recognize signs of visual or tactile fatigue. Instruction should include strategies such as taking scheduled breaks, adjusting posture or reading position, or switching temporarily to listening to audio versions of the text. As Alan J. Koenig and Evelyn J. Rex explain in their chapter on Instruction of Literacy Skills to Children and Youths with Low Vision, effective reading instruction for students with visual impairments blends the same fluency-building strategies used with sighted readers with thoughtful adaptations for tactile or low-vision readers.

Strategies to Increase Reading Fluency

  • ​Start Slow, Then Build Up. Begin with a focus on accuracy, ensuring the student can identify braille characters, contractions, and words correctly. Gradually increase expectations for speed once accuracy is reliable.
  • Timed Reading Practices. Use short, timed reading intervals to build stamina and track growth. Emphasize self-competition rather than comparison to peers.
  • Repeated Readings. Encourage the student to reread familiar texts. Repetition builds automaticity, confidence, and fluency.
  • Frequent Practice. Expose students to a wide variety of braille materials, including books, tactile graphics, menus, labels, poems, and articles, to increase exposure to common words and contractions.
  • Pre-Reading Activities. Build background knowledge with discussions about key vocabulary, story structure, characters, or the purpose of the reading. This reduces cognitive load and supports stronger comprehension.
  • Comprehension Checks. Pause occasionally during reading to ask questions, predict outcomes, or summarize content. This reinforces meaning and supports active reading.

​Shared Reading Strategies

  • Shared reading provides a rich opportunity to model fluent reading, support comprehension, and make braille instruction enjoyable.
  • Read Aloud Together. Combine tactile reading with auditory reinforcement by having the student read sections aloud. This paired approach builds rhythm, intonation, and understanding.
  • Echo Reading. Read a short sentence or passage aloud, then have the student repeat it using braille. Helps students mimic fluent pacing and expression.
  • Shared Reading Turn-Taking. Take turns reading paragraphs or pages. The student reads familiar or simpler passages while the teacher reads more complex ones, maintaining momentum and engagement.
  • Enthusiastic Reading. Use expressive phrasing and intonation to model fluent reading.
  • Alternatively, use electronic text read at different speeds to help students become comfortable with listening as a literacy tool.
  • Provide Text Copies. Ensure the student has an accessible version of the text, braille, large print, or digital. Following along helps strengthen tracking skills.
  • Support Vocabulary Development. Point out key vocabulary or repetitive phrases so the student can locate them in braille. Reinforce meaning by connecting vocabulary to objects, experiences, or tactile graphics.
  • Identifying Familiar Words. On the second reading of a story, encourage the student to locate and recognize “sight words” in braille. This builds automaticity and fluency.

​Selecting and Preparing Reading Materials

  • Age-Appropriate Texts. Choose books and passages that match the student's interests and reading level to maintain motivation.
  • Well-Formatted Braille. Ensure materials are cleanly embossed, properly spaced, and free from smudging or tactile confusion. Clear formatting supports efficient tactile. reading.
  • Variety of Genres. Include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, recipes, functional braille, and tactile graphics. This broadens exposure and challenges different literacy skills.
  • Pair with Audio Books. Listening to audiobooks while following along in braille helps students learn pacing, phrasing, and expression. This strategy is especially helpful for students transitioning from print to braille.
  • Use Tactile Graphics and Objects. Combine reading with related tactile exploration. For example: 
    • Explore a tactile map before reading a story about travel.
    • Handle objects related to vocabulary or plot elements.

​Braille Integration in Daily Life

Encourage braille reading in meaningful contexts by having students read:
  • Class schedules
  • Labels
  • Menus
  • Announcements
  • Morning messages
  • Simple recipes
  • Classroom job charts
  • Shopping lists
Using braille beyond formal lessons strengthens fluency and functional literacy.

Goal Setting and Progress Monitoring

  • Set Reading Goals. Work collaboratively with students to set attainable goals, such as:
    • Increasing reading speed
    • Completing a chapter book
    • Mastering new contractions
    • Reading a certain number of minutes per day
  • Record Progress. Audio-record the student reading braille periodically. Listening to recorded samples over time highlights progress, builds self-awareness, and motivates continued effort.
  • Use Braille Displays and Notetakers. Provide opportunities for students to read digital braille on refreshable braille displays.
  • These tools increase efficiency and promote lifelong literacy habits.
  • Reading Inventories. Conduct assessments such as Jerry John’s Reading Media Assessment. This data guides instruction and helps develop an individualized reading plan. Evaluate reading rate, preferred modality, comprehension, stamina, error patterns, and fatigue indicators. 

Creating a Positive Reading Environment

  • Celebrate progress, no matter how small.
  • Encourage reading for enjoyment, not just skill-building.
  • Model enthusiasm for braille and literacy.
  • Provide cozy and accessible reading spaces.
  • Offer choices in books and formats.
A positive environment fosters motivation, and motivated readers grow faster.
​By using thoughtful strategies, targeted practice, and engaging materials, educators can help students with visual impairments develop strong reading fluency in braille or print. With consistent support, students can increase reading speed, improve comprehension, and develop the stamina needed for academic success. Through shared reading, repeated practice, tactile exploration, and positive reinforcement, braille readers gain confidence and pride in their literacy achievements.

Printable Resources

The following PDF downloads related to Reading Fluency are located on the Braille Instruction Printables page.
Preview of Fact Sentence Game
Fact Sentence Game
Preview of Movie Trivia
Movie Trivia
Preview of Recorded Text Reading
Recorded Text Reading
Preview of Scrambled Fact Sentences
Scrambled Fact Sentences
Preview of Song Lyrics
Song Lyrics

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Downloadable printable resources, lesson plans, recorded presentations, and ECC instructional units are available to Premium Subscribers.

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