SSC Braille Competency Course Grade II

Introduction:

This course has been validated by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) and on satisfactory completion of the course a SQA Certificate will be awarded.

According to the Guidance on Appropriate Qualifications for Teachers of Children and Young Persons who are Visually Impaired, Local Authorities need to ensure that all visually impaired pupils who need to use Braille are taught by appropriately qualified teachers who have competence in Braille to Grade II.

This course is for all those working with children and young people who use Grade II Braille, that is, teachers, learning support assistants, parents, etc, and offers the opportunity to acquire expertise in reading and writing Grade 2 Braille.

The course format is distance learning and commences in April of each year. The maximum time allowed to complete the course is 18 months. Applicants may be accepted during the first 6 months if places are available, but thereafter applicants will be added to a waiting list for the next April intake. Students applying for this
course as part of the PG Diploma will be accepted throughout the year.

Since this course is accredited by the SQA, students must reach a recognised standard for each stage before completing the Final Assessment.

Course Tutor: Morag Heeps
Course Fees: £300 (£175 for parents); £400 (outside UK)
£100 Final Assessment only

Please note that the course fee is not refundable.

The Grade II Braille course runs from April each year but can be joined in the first six months if places are available. Coursemembers will have 18 months, from receipt of the package, to complete the course including the Final Assessment. The fee includes:

Applications will be acknowledged by email or acknowledgement postcard. The decision regarding acceptance onto the course rests with the Course Tutor. When a place is confirmed an invoice will be raised and sent to the person/service nominated on the application form. Also, at this time, confirmation of a mailing
address to which the course package can be delivered will be requested.

Content:

This course offers the opportunity to acquire expertise in reading and writing Grade II Braille. The course is presented in 12 stages and contains writing exercises along with flat and raised braille reading material. Each stage is assessed separately by submitting an assessment to the Course Tutor for marking. The Final Assessment is undertaken without the use of reference materials and must be supervised by a person in authority. The standard of acceptable performance will be in line with students at Moray House and other Universities and Colleges in Britain where Visual
Impairment is offered as a specialism.

Course members must have access to a standard Perkins brailler and supply their own braille paper. The SSC has a limited supply of braillers which, if available, may be hired for the duration of the course for a non-returnable fee of £50; non return of a brailler would incur a charge for the full replacement cost.

This course requires a high level of commitment; assessments must be submitted as specified in the course package, as failure to do so will be deemed below the satisfactory standard required for the award and could result in being removed from the course. As already mentioned, course members will have 18 months, from
receipt of the package, to complete the course including the Final Assessment. Please note that it is not possible to extend the completion of the course past 18 months unless there are exceptional circumstances which are in line with University
regulations.

Final Assessment Only Option:

The Final Assessment only option has been retained, however, this option will not be accredited by SQA and applicants who pass this Final Assessment will receive an SSC statement of level of competence only.