September 30, 2018|ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, SPECIAL EDUCATION, VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (VI)

Though there are several versions of the alphabet for the visually impaired like the Moon Alphabet, Gall’s Traingular Alphabet, Alston Alphabet , and various other systems have been used over time. Today, Braille, that is typically taught in public schools, was invented around 1829 by Louis Braille.
Guidance released from the Office of Special Education Services (OSEP) discussed how Braille instruction
Though there is a directive, by IDEA, to instruct children who are visually impaired or face the prospect of future vision loss, children are not getting the Braille instruction they are entitled to in the public school system.

Research shows that braille literacy directly correlates with academic achievement and employment. The majority of working-age blind people are unemployed (74 percent) and depend on support such as disability income benefits. It is estimated that the lost productivity due to blindness and eye diseases is $8.0 billion per year in the United States. Of the 26 percent of blind people who are employed, the majority of them are braille readers. The correlation is clear – braille is an extremely important tool for blind people to become literate, and it is a critical component that supports educational advancement and increases employment prospects.
Despite the link between braille literacy and employment, braille literacy rates for school-age blind children have declined from greater than 50 percent (40 years ago) to only 12 percent today. Part of the reason for this decline can be attributed to the mainstreaming of blind students into the public school system, where significantly less time is available for learning braille. Another factor is that many people believed that talking computers would replace the need to learn braille. However, listening alone is not enough. Research shows that braille provides a critical advantage for students to learn grammar, language, math, and science.
It is time to bring Braille literacy back! If you have a child that is visually impaired insist the public school assess your child for Braille instruction. For those that homeschool there are a lot of ways to teach a child Braille in the home environment. Please join us in our Facebook groups for more discussion on visual impairment at IEP Assistance and Special Needs Parenting Advice or Homeschooling Special (Needs) Kids.
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