"Braille is not a language, it is another way to read and write a language."
Thursday 23 November 2006
Content
Braille is a tactile system for blind and partially sighted people to read and write. It is a sequence of raised (embossed) dots representing letters, numerals, punctuation and words. Braille readers vary in ability even more than their sighted peers. The important thing is to provide as much stimulating and enjoyable material as is possible for visually impaired children for them to be ‘just like other children’.
This one-day course aimed to explore literary braille, that is, the way to read and write the English language. It followed on from last year's very successful course "Skills needed to teach braille to children." During the day participants explored the development of pre-braille skills, skills needed to read braille and most importantly skills needed to teach it. This was done through lectures, demonstrations and workshops. Participants were given the opportunity to both teach braille to each other and to read it. They also explored ways to make materials stimulating and enjoyable and to share resources.
Target audience: teachers, additional support assistants and parents who work with children who are reading braille or who hope to read braille in the future.
Presenters: Janis Sugden, Scottish Sensory Centre
Lorna Hall, Woodside Primary, Hamilton
Christine Stones, SLANT, Stirling
Elaine Bruce, SLANT, Stirling
Programme
10.20 am Welcome
10.30 am Why Braille? - Janis Sugden
11.20 am Pre-Braille skills - Lorna Hall
1.30 pm Teaching Braille - Christine Stones and Elaine Bruce
Primary focus
Preparation for Secondary
3 pm Discussion
3.45 Course evaluation