Myself -Develop a skill or interest you already have - Braille

Friday 22nd March - Braille

Braille was create by a French man, Louis Braille. He lost his sight as a child and later developed a code for the French alphabet.

Braille is a system of touch reading and writing for visually impaired people. Raised dots represent the letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks, special symbols etc.

Braille consists of a set of six raised dots. The number and arrangement of the dots used distinguishes one character from another.

Uncontracted Braille (grade I) - is the study of basic dot combinations for the letters of the alphabet, the main punctuation signs and the numbering system.

Contracted Braille (grade II) - uses the same letters, punctuation and numbers as uncontracted braille but adds a series of special signs to represent common words or groups of letters. There are 187 contractions in Braille 2

Contracted Braille is used as it requires less space. Books, magazines and other information use it as it produces less bulky books and magazines.

I started learning Braille a section at a time, or chapters as the 'Braille Academy' calls them. I have over the course of the year covered thirteen chapters and at the end of each chapter I have completed a challenge, which I have passed and gained a certificate.

I don't have a braille machine though I do have a slate and a peg which allows me to write braille by hand. The downside of doing it like this is I have to write all my braille backwards because the raised dots are formed on the other side of the paper. Also it has played havoc with my hand. I have therefore written a good deal of my braille.

In Braille each letter forms a specific word. i.e.. b = but, c = can, d = do and so on. There are 76 short form words in Braille usually involving removing vowels or other parts of the words. i.e.. ab = about, brl = braille, concvg = conceiving.

Translation

Written Braille

Translation

Guiding has been a big part of my life. I was a brownie then and guide and later a guide leader and county camp advisor. I also became a canoe instructor through guiding. Now I belong to the Trefoil Guild. I have learnt a lot through guiding and have realised that I can achieve a lot more than I ever thought possible.

Besides using Braille Academy to help me learn the various words and contractions I have used the RNIB British Braille and the Standard English Braille books. (PDF). These have given me the rules as to where certain words or contractions can be used. I have also been able to complete practical work.

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