Braille Update

Using Braille Writer Cover So I Can't See

In Braille there are two grades that you have to complete, grade one is the alphabet, numbers and common punctuation, then grade two is contractions which are common words in short form, so you don't have to spell out the word each time you use it.

I have completed grade one and I am on lesson six of grade two, which is not even half way through! Grade two is tough because of how much you have to memorize, but the use of contraction makes reading sentences easier. I have learned the slate and stylus, which is consist of you punching the dots of each Braille cell to create a letter or word. It seems fun and easy until you are told that you have to do it right to left and punch the cell formation backwards! That was a brain twister trying to get that figured out. The reason for that is because you have to flip the paper over and in order to have it going the right direction. It took a few tries to get down the alphabet without having to stop and think how to do a letter backwards. For an example, the letter A is dot 1 but on the slate it is dot 4. Crazy huh? I enjoy using the slate and it does take time getting use to! The reason for the slate and stylus is for note taking or list making since it is portable and quick to use. Once a week we either use the Braille Writer or the slate and stylus to practice writing and the rest of the week is reading. I am slowly getting better at not "scrubbing" the Braille as I read, but I still find myself doing it at times when I get stuck.

Example of Braille Contractions

Slate and Stylus

Braille Writer