Teaching braille to children

Abstract

This research looked at the population of children learning braille in Britain, where they are being educated, and issues concerned with teaching braille and with training of teachers of braille. A national postal questionnaire survey of local education authority (LEA) visual impairment (VI) advisory services and one specialist school for blind and partially sighted pupils suggested that braillists constitute a diverse population that includes many pupils with other difficulties in addition to a severe visual impairment. The studies provided examples of difference models of support for braillists and demonstrated that braillists can be educated in a variety of contexts. The findings highlight the need for further research into teaching braille literacy and the literacy needs of pupils with learning difficulties in addition to a severe visual impairment. A need for a range of training for teachers of the visually impaired and of support staff was also identified.