Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question about handwriting Braille (self.Blind)
submitted 7y ago by irish_coxswain
Hey guys! So this is my first time posting in this subreddit, but I had a question that I was hoping you all might be able to help me out with. So, my best friend is blind and I wanted to write her a letter in Braille. Only problem is, she doesn't have a stylus set that I could use to write the letter or anything like that and I'm trying to figure out a way to DIY this (seeing as I'm a broke college kid). Does anyone have any suggestions about how to do this and are there any tricks I should know when writing Braille? I've never done this before but I want to learn for the future since my friend and I are really close and I know it would mean a lot to her if I was able to write in Braille. Thanks!
snazzychica2812 2 points
Do you already know braille? Or at least, the braille alphabet? Writing with a slate and stylus is tricky, because you need to write in mirror image, moving from right to left and pushing the bumps through to the other side of the paper. I'm not aware of any way to handwrite without a slate/stylus, because it would be near impossible to get bumps to the right depth and spacing. Even a tiny fraction of an inch in irregularity can completely change a character.
$1 is a good resource for writing with a slate and stylus. Watch it, see if you think it's plausible for your skill level, and if you're interested, PM me your address and as a slightly-less-broke grad student, I'll fund a slate and stylus for you.
$1 is a good resource for writing with a slate and stylus. Watch it, see if you think it's plausible for your skill level, and if you're interested, PM me your address and as a slightly-less-broke grad student, I'll fund a slate and stylus for you.
dmazzoni 1 points
Find a Braille font, print a letter on thick paper, then hold it up to the light and poke the dots through from the back side with a pin.
I'm totally serious, this works.
Make sure you use the right font size.
I'm totally serious, this works.
Make sure you use the right font size.
emajor7th 1 points
I did something similar. You can buy a Braille stylus and Braille paper on Amazon. The local lighthouses also carry them.
Marconius 1 points
Is there a blind resource center like the lighthouse anywhere near you? Or do you have a major public library near you? To make it easy, you can always type The letter on the computer and then use an embosser to print it in braille. All blind resource centers and most large public libraries that have a blind and visually impaired center should have them. Your college might even have one although that might be more rare.
thatsnotgneiss 1 points
Their college might have a disability services office that would do it because it's a nice idea.
irish_coxswain [OP] 1 points
For today, I'm just going to see if the Disability Resource Center at my university will let me borrow a slate and stylus for like an hour. The coordinator knows me pretty well and also knows that my friend and I are joined at the hip basically so I'm sure she'll let me use something they have.
aam22 1 points
You can also ask someone there to help you braille it out in an actual brailler. The slate and stylus really is a pain to use, but if you know how to use it, more power to you!
I'm sure your friend will appreciate it! This is an awesome consideration form your part!
I'm sure your friend will appreciate it! This is an awesome consideration form your part!
Unuhi 1 points
That could work. :)
Another option is get a basic set from eg http://www.braillebookstore.com/Writing-Braille
Shipping will be free to US and Canada, but you need to buy at least $10 worth of stuff. So perhaps a basic 4 line set (the plastic ones are sturdy too), and add a few of these alphabet bracelets
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Large-Braille-Wristband.1
Those are cool because if you have problems remembering letters or numbers (in uncontracted), you can easily find out which letter is which, or if something is 5 or 9 or 0 or 8 and so on.
By the way many thick papers and thin cardboard (like cereal boxes) work nicely for typing practice.
I always carry at least a postcard size slate and a few styluses with me because it's nice to write wherever i want :)
Another option is get a basic set from eg http://www.braillebookstore.com/Writing-Braille
Shipping will be free to US and Canada, but you need to buy at least $10 worth of stuff. So perhaps a basic 4 line set (the plastic ones are sturdy too), and add a few of these alphabet bracelets
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Large-Braille-Wristband.1
Those are cool because if you have problems remembering letters or numbers (in uncontracted), you can easily find out which letter is which, or if something is 5 or 9 or 0 or 8 and so on.
By the way many thick papers and thin cardboard (like cereal boxes) work nicely for typing practice.
I always carry at least a postcard size slate and a few styluses with me because it's nice to write wherever i want :)
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