- Braille is a code that many people who are blind or visually impaired use to read and write. A braille cell, such as the one pictured here, consists of a series of six dots. Different configurations of the dots represent an alphabet letter, number, punctuation mark, or even a whole word. The dots are raised so that they can be read with the fingers.
- This page includes: Fact Sheets | General Information | Instruction | Transcription | Books and Magazines | Other Indexes | Related Subjects
- Fact Sheets
- About Braille (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped)
- What Is Braille and What Does it Mean to be Blind? (National Federation of the Blind)
- What Is Braille? (American Federation for the Blind)
- General Information
- The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
- The AFB website offers a wide range of information about braille and braille literacy. Go to the Information Center and enter “braille” in the search box for information about braille, braille literacy, e-mail groups for braille users and teachers, braille technology, braille curriculum materials, braille laws, braille teaching strategies, braille greeting cards, braille children’s books and magazines, and much more. For a list of organizations that provide braille-services in each state, go to the Directory of Services and select the appropriate categories from the services box.
- National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH)
- In addition to loaning braille books and magazines to blind and visually impaired people throughout the U.S. (see Braille Books and Magazines), NLSBPH offers a variety of relevant reference publications, including Braille Literacy: Resources for Instruction, Writing Equipment, and Supplies, and Sources of Braille Reading Materials.
- The National Federation of the Blind – Braille
- This list of links to resources on and outside the NFB website includes articles, books, fact sheets, and external links to a wide range of information about braille. Topics covered include “101 Ways to Use Braille,” companies that make braille signs, braille literacy legislation, braille mentoring, and more.
- Instruction and Equipment
- BRL: Braille through Remote Learning
- An online course designed to provide educators and other interested persons with the knowledge to be able to create Grade 2 braille documents using one or several braille writing devices. Also includes instruction on other aspects of braille use, such as history and development, specialized codes, and related topics.
- Transcription
- Braille Transcription Resource List
- A list of organizations that transcribe print to braille, from the National Federation of the Blind.
- Sources of Custom-Produced Books: Braille, Audio Recordings, and Large Print
- This directory from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped lists the names of volunteer groups, individual transcribers, and nonprofit and commercial organizations that transcribe and record books and other reading materials.
- Books and Magazines
- American Printing House for the Blind
- The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) manufactures braille, large type, recorded, and computer disk publications, and an assortment of educational and daily living aids. APH also offers a variety of services to assist consumers and professionals in the field.
- National Braille Press (NBP)
- National Braille Press is a nonprofit organizations the produces braille materials for adults and children. In addition to a catalog of NBP’s publications, its website includes news and related information. You can also download a free copy of Syndicated Columnists Weekly, a collection editorials from major U.S. newspapers.
- National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH)
- The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a part of the Library of Congress, administers a free library program of braille and recorded materials circulated to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries. Its website includes an online catalog of braille and recorded materials, and more.
- Seedlings Braille Books for Children
- Seedlings Braille Books for Children is a non-profit organization that provides high quality, low cost braille books for children. In addition to its online catalog, the website offers related information about Seedlings and about resources for children who are blind or visually impaired.
- Other Indexes
- Blindness Resource Center
- Developed by the New York Institute for Special Education, this s provides links to information about braille and braille history, Louis Braille biographies, legislative initiatives, organizations and advocacy, research, software and educational materials, transcription services.
- Related Subjects
- Alternative Formats
- Blindness and Visual Impairments
- Resources in your state
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