A Touch of Braille
A Basic Introduction to the Alphabet and Numbers
As part of the BEST Grant’s goals to support the implementation of braille instruction and braille technology, BEST is offering a professional development workshop focused on introducing educators, parents, and related service providers to the essentials of uncontracted Unified English Braille as a literacy tool.
Dates / Times
September 20, 2019 from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Location
OCALI, 470 Glenmont Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43214
Facilitator
Shelley Mack, TVI and Braille Consultant for the AT&AEM Center
Audience
- Paraprofessionals working with students who are potential or current braille users, particularly young, newly blind, or cognitively limited students
- Staff of Boards of Developmental Disabilities working with students who are potential or current braille users
- Other school staff working with students who are potential or current braille users
- Parents of children who are potential or current braille users
Objectives
This Introduction to Braille workshop was developed to assist those who support students who are visually impaired by providing an introductory level of understanding braille. This is a one-day, hands-on inservice for paraprofessionals, general educators, other school staff and parents/families.
Through participation in reading, writing, and varied individual and group practice activities, the participants will demonstrate:
- an understanding of contracted and uncontracted braille.
- the ability to read the braille alphabet, numeric digits, and basic punctuation (, ‘ . ? !).
- the ability to write the braille alphabet, numeric digits, and basic punctuation (, ‘ . ? !) using a Perkins brailler.
- an awareness of resources for further braille instruction.
Participants Need to Bring:
- A brailler or a computer with 6-key capability (Perky Duck, etc.)
- For a free Perky Duck download http://www.duxburysystems.com/perky.asp
- A limited number of braillers are available to borrow for the workshop if requested.
- Braille Paper will be provided by the BEST Grant
Contact Hours
Five (5) Contact Hours will be offered for full day participation
Registration
This workshop is limited to 20 participants.
Deadline for Registration: September 16, 2019
Register Online via OCALI Pass
Agenda
Definitions of contracted and uncontracted braille;
The braille alphabet;