Braille

These mysterious bumps pop up everywhere at Devnar. Before now I'd only ever seen them on medicines in Boots so the entire system was a mystery to me! I've been amazed by the diversity of uses for the tactile reading system I've found here. It opens up whole worlds for the kids here who without it would never know the joy of reading.

On the first week here I was given a Braille Slate and expected to get on with learning it! Thankfully before I left Scotland a very generous Social Worker had given me an info pack on Braille. So using that I began to learn the dot formations which code for different letters I practice using the Braille slate. Dots are formed by pressing a metal Stylus into a sheet of paper in a certain spot on the Braille Slate. It's confusing at first as you are writing in reverse. Slowly getting the hang of it now.

Braille Alphabet poster I made. 

 So far I'm on Grade 1 Braille.

Braille Slate 

Has indents in the bottom for making bumps 

The School has a multitude of Braille resources for the pupils. A whole library of Braille books. Textbooks in Braille for many subjects (including maths). So far all I've managed to read is the thrilling "Ben the Bug" and ABC for Kindergarten which is a picture book!

Braille Horse! 

The School has a Printing Room for Braille books. The vast number of books which seem to be produced here is astounding! I'm discovering more about the process while editing textbooks in the Printing Room. Using special software textbooks can be transcribed into Braille then printed. The pages are bound then glued to the front cover. The books are very impressive.

There is also a mini printer called the Mountbatten Brailler.

Not Sure how this one works yet... 

Braille isn't confined to English here. Telugu and Hindi is also possible. Not attempted them yet!

In classes I've been able to give out spelling for the Pupils to make vocab notes with. Maybe there is scope for making worksheets for my classes, as long as I don't have to do it all by hand!

Learning Braille has been tricky but rewarding. I feel more able to engage with the Pupil's learning. It's such a great invention!