Brailleant

This special newsletter is designed to give you information about Braille Literacy--specifically why braille is so important to address during the school years. There are also many resources available for refreshing your braille skills and teaching braille. Enjoy and have fun as you explore opportunities to advance braille literacy for your students.

There are 1659 students registered on the 2022 Annual Registration of students with Visual Impairments and Deafblind Child Count. This number reflects 504 students. As a rule, about 10% of students identified as VI read braille. For R10 we would expect to see 165 students reading braille. Based on the VI data, R10 has 62 braille readers. The gap between the expected number and the actual number is over 100 students. This calls for action to increase support for braille instruction and braille reading in the region.

Braille is Knowledge and Knowledge is Power

We must be treated as equals and communication is the way we can bring this about

More than at any time, when I hold a beloved book in my hand my limitations fall from me, my spirit is free.

There are many reasons to support braille instruction during the educational years of a student’s life.

Braille is literacy for students who would otherwise be auditory learners. For those students, braille is the only way they can learn the fundamentals of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Listening only is different from reading as it does not allow the person to know how every word is spelled or how sentences are structured. These elements are not part of the audio experience and critical in becoming literate. In addition, braille outweighs audio formats as it aids comprehension and retention of materials.

It is a Matter of Equality—Imagine the following and ask yourself how you would respond. Your child goes to school, and rather than receiving books, they get headphones and an audio recording of everything that should be in print. Then, when it is time for your child to answer questions, they have someone else write out their response. What would you do to make sure your child’s literacy needs are met?

Students’ future employment may well depend on proficient braille skills. It is estimated that 90% of employed individuals with blindness can read and write braille. These individuals command higher salaries as well.

• Students who know braille have greater independence. Braille can be used to:
• Label food, medicine or household objects.
• Read a menu at a restaurant
• Take notes
• Identify and push the button on elevators
• And the list goes on

Braille provides connection to others and to self. The ability to take and share notes with others provides an avenue unmatched by the spoken word. With braille an individual can make a to do list that can be reviewed at a later point in time.

For students who are at risk of losing vision suddenly or who have a progressive vision condition, braille gives a child options to use either print or braille in any given situation. These students should learn braille as soon as possible to provide them with an alternate means of communication. While they may not use braille right away, they have a tool tucked into their back pocket. Relearning braille when needed is easier. And, the educational system is much more supportive than adult programs where time is limited.

All Blind Children of Texas--What They Can Do For You
Who we are: All Blind Children of Texas is a volunteer nonprofit that funds learning and recreational activities for children and youth (ages birth-22) who are blind or visually impaired in Texas.
What we offer: We offer grants year round to TVI's and O&M's in the state of Texas with projects that promote physical, mental, emotional, and social development, but are outside the funding capabilities of local school districts or other local boosters and organizations.
Where: Visit our website to learn about our program and apply for the Expanded Core Curriculum Grant from ABCTX, just in time for your Summer initiatives!

Visual Aid Volunteers exists to promote independence and success of people with visual impairments by providing quality braille materials.

Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) increases awareness of, access to, and use of assistive technology.

The Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) promotes independence for people with disabilities through access to technology that provides them more control over their immediate environments and an enhanced ability to function independently.

The mission is to increase access for people with disabilities to Assistive Technology that provides them more control over their immediate environments and an enhanced ability to function independently.

TTAP offers:

• Demonstrations – See technology in action to determine if what product is useful for you!
• Device Loans – Try assistive technology before investing!
• Recycle and Reuse Programs – Purchase refurbished equipment or a computer with long-term loans!
• Loan Programs – Seek information on national loan finance programs!

Through these programs, TTAP strives to improve access, advocacy, and awareness of Assistive Technology to meet the needs of Texans with disabilities.