Braille and Literacy

Find information for pre-braille and braille skills for children who are blind as well as literacy ideas for kids with multiple disabilities.

braille device with large refreshable braille cell shown

Braille and Literacy

Taptic-edu teaches the braille cell in a whole new way

Taptic-edu is a wireless braille device that syncs to your mobile device using bluetooth along with a partner app to teach braille reading and writing.

Ivan reading braille

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

Our Favorite Tactile Books for Blind Kids

The best tactile books for blind kids. Find books that provide some nice feedback for kids reading with their fingers!

A Parent's Guide to the UEB Transition. Everything you need to know now!

Braille and Literacy

Unified English Braille: What Every Parent Needs to Know

January 4, 2016, is the start date of the Unified English Braille (UEB) code to become the official Braille Code in the United States. Learn about the transition to UEB...

white and green 6dot braille label maker

Assistive Technology, Braille and Literacy, Product Reviews

6dot Braille Label Maker Product Review

Looking for an easy way to braille books and objects around the home? We look at the 6dot braille label maker and review its features and functions.

a collage of children's book covers

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters

We've collected 25+ picture books, chapter books and young adult novels with visually impaired characters. Each title is followed by a quick description and links to find the book in...

Braille Smart Watch

Assistive Technology, Braille and Literacy

Dot Braille Smart Watch

New braille smart watch features four cells of refreshable braille.

Quiet Book

Braille and Literacy

Quiet Books Blog

A quiet book is a book (usually made out of fabric) filled with quiet activities for children. It's often used for special times, like church, when you need to keep...

Braille and Literacy, iPad Apps and Accessibility

iBrailler Notes App Review

iBrailler Notes is a notetaker app for the iPad that features a standard Brailler keyboard, user calibration and multiple export options.

tactile books

Braille and Literacy

I read with My hands: Tactile books

I read with my hands books have helped teachers and parents to introduce reading in a fun way to young visually impaired/blind children.

Illustration of four girls in school uniforms, the front girl holding a white cane

Braille and Literacy

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay

This book geared to young readers features a girl who is blind who does everything her friends can do and more.

Dr. Seuss Rhyming Words Feature

Braille and Literacy

Rhyming Words with Dr. Seuss

This Dr. Seuss rhyming and word-building activity encourages kids to explore the alphabet, letter sounds, and blends and is accessible to kids with vision or kids who are blind.

Cartoon girl lying on an open book

Braille and Literacy

Great Expectations: Bringing books to life for blind kids

Tips for reading aloud to blind children, courtesy of National Braille Press, complete with video and featured story.

Great Expectations Program from NBP

Braille and Literacy

Picture Books for Blind Kids? Yes!

Through NBP's new program, Great Expectations, parents and caregivers can learn how to describe pictures to visually impaired children and also how to read out loud in a way that...

Young Pakistani boy reads braille

Braille and Literacy

Dad Develops Tactile Graphics for Blind Son

Devoted dad Shahzad Zaidi makes tactile graphics to make education and games more accessible to his visually impaired son.

sample page from Sound of Colors

Braille and Literacy

The Sound of Colors

The Sound of Colors tells the story of a young girl who is losing her sight and goes on a journey of discovery. Available at Amazon.

SMART Brailler

Braille and Literacy

Perkins SMART Brailler is Now Available on APH Through Quota Funds

Perkins SMART Braillers are now available at American Printing House using quota funds. These funds make educational tools for those who are blind accessible.

Opening slide for Intro to braille video

Braille and Literacy

Video Introducing Braille to Parents

This YouTube video from Sensory Sun is an eight-minute introduction to braille geared toward parents.

help and support

Braille and Literacy, Support

Bookshare’s Parent Ambassador Program

Bookshare, the free program that offers printed material in an accessible format to those who are unable to easily access printed material, is offering a free parent forum, allowing parents...

The cover of the Black Book of Colors is just that: black.

Braille and Literacy

Black Book of Colors

The Black Book of Colors uses raised illustrations, braille letters and imaginative descriptions to give sighted people a glimpse into the world of the blind. This is a great book...

17 Braille Innovations

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

17 Braille Innovations That Don’t Exist Yet… But Should!

A lot of the coolest ideas involving braille aren't actually on the market yet. Listed here are some of my favorite braille concepts. And maybe if we reach out to...

Exploring Braille App

Braille and Literacy, iPad Apps and Accessibility

Exploring Braille App Review

Exploring Braille with Madilyn and Ruff is an iPad app that teaches the braille alphabet while also introducing your child to the iPad, VoiceOver and a refreshable braille display.

Braille Magnet Board

Braille and Literacy

Make Your Own Braille Magnet Board

Erica used a metal oil drop pan to create this braille magnet board. Add some adhesive Velcro patches and magnets and you've got a fun (and educational) play space!

Braille beads kit including packets of beads, wire and instruction booklets

Braille and Literacy

Braille Beads: APH Starter Kit

This braille bead kit from APH provides beads with braille on one side and print letters on the other, for stringing into necklaces, bracelets, or any other jewelry item.

Young Ivan holding a book

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

Braille for Babies

Hadley's free online family course "Braille & Your Baby or Toddler" teaches parents how to introduce braille and pre-literacy skills to their young children who are blind.