Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Braille Blocks -- Seeking Feedback (self.Blind)
submitted by krausl2
Hey guys, for the last two months I have been working on designing a product called Braille Blocks which is basically a tool for young blind kids (think four or five years old) and their parents to learn fine motor skills as well as braille familiarity. Basically, each block (2.5 inches by 4.5 inches) has six holes corresponding to the six places in a braille cell (looks a bit like a lego) and comes with six dots that fit into those holes. The child and parent would then use the blocks and the dots to practice the arrangements of letters. Additionally, each block has a tab on the side with a corresponding slot so multiple blocks can be fit together to form words and phrases. The whole thing is made of sanded wood with rounded edges to make sure the kids don't get hurt.
I am happy to answer questions, and would love any feedback or suggestions!
Here's some pictures of the product: http://imgur.com/a/kW3uk
I am happy to answer questions, and would love any feedback or suggestions!
Here's some pictures of the product: http://imgur.com/a/kW3uk
blind_devotion08 1 points 6y ago
I remember seing something like this, except with no removable parts. Each "dot" was a peg that you could push up from the back or down from the front to make the characters. The "block" was 8-10 characters fused together, though, so if you wanted to do something different, like individual cells, you could put magnets on the insides so cells could "snap" together to make words.
As for braille "size" I think as long as you can get consistent with the design of each cell block, just pick a size and stick with it. Yeah, standard braille size is nice for more advanced readers, but if this is a toy/learning tool, starting bigger is fine.
I'm not a parent, and I haven't practised my braille in a long time, but my wife and I were thinking that teaching braille any little ones we have--sighted or not--would be great, and something like this would be perfect.
As for braille "size" I think as long as you can get consistent with the design of each cell block, just pick a size and stick with it. Yeah, standard braille size is nice for more advanced readers, but if this is a toy/learning tool, starting bigger is fine.
I'm not a parent, and I haven't practised my braille in a long time, but my wife and I were thinking that teaching braille any little ones we have--sighted or not--would be great, and something like this would be perfect.
blind_devotion08 1 points 6y ago
If you're sticking with wood, maybe you can have little "plates" with the braille symbols on them that could snap into blocks using magnets also. Each block could have a magnet inside, and you'd just put a small metal disc into the plates to keep em in place.
JackEsq 1 points 6y ago
Parent of a 1.5 year old. This is an interesting idea, but I do wonder about the size of it. The dots would probably be too small for a toddler to play with. I also wonder about the scale of the braille cells. I'm far from an expert but every product that I see has the standard size of the braille cell.
I do think my sighted 4 year old would like making letters in braille for her sister since they are both a bit too young to (correctly) use a brailler.
What do you expect the price to be?
I do think my sighted 4 year old would like making letters in braille for her sister since they are both a bit too young to (correctly) use a brailler.
What do you expect the price to be?
KillerLag 1 points 6y ago
For some pre-braille, people do use larger blocks to learn the layout. Especially for older people who may have some neuropathy. This is a pretty popular item, about 2 to 3 times larger than normal braille.
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Braille-Letter-Keychain.1
Additionally, many ILS workers takes an egg carton and cuts it to 3X2, and uses ping pong balls or golf balls to simular the dots, to learn placement with large print.
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Braille-Letter-Keychain.1
Additionally, many ILS workers takes an egg carton and cuts it to 3X2, and uses ping pong balls or golf balls to simular the dots, to learn placement with large print.
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