Braille is for Students With Sight Too
It might be easy to assume that a student with low vision, that is, a student who can see text in some way, is not a candidate for braille. A student who can see text using a video magnifier (CCTV), or by putting the page within an inch of their eyes, or using a strong handheld magnifier, can techniclly read print, right? If they can see printed text, in some way, why would they need to learn braille? A student with low vision, while capable of seeing print with the right accomodation, may not be able to read print efficiently, or may tire easily reading print. How will they keep up with their peers? Learning braille may be just one of the tools in this student’s reading toolbox!
Yes, audio books and text-to-speech are also wonderful tools to have in the toolbox, but ask yourself and the professionals around this student, will text-to-speech and audio bokkenable this student to learn the grammar, spelling, and punctuation that her peers are learning when they read print? Or understand the charts and tables in math and science class without tactile representation?
One of the questions addressed in this article on dual reading, is the question of cost to the school district, and to what degree this is the decision-making factor in whether or not a low vision student is exposed to braille. A resource page from the Perkins School may help parents and professionals make an informed decision about teaching a low vision student braille.
#31DaysofBraille. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions about #31DaysofBraille? Send an email to skelley4195 at yahoo.cm, tweet to @lowvisiontech, or leave a comment on theLowVisionTech Facebook Page.
Day 16: 31 Days of Braille