Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Questions about Braille (self.Blind)
submitted by ellienation
Hello, I'm sighted and trying to learn about Braille use. I recently started learning Braille, completely on a whim, because I'm an odd person. Actually, I'm autistic, of the "but you don't look autistic" variety, and I just love alphabets, ciphers, written languages, etc. I'm also pretty darn good at these things. I thought maybe there was a way I could put my obsession to good use, maybe by translating books or teaching materials, but I've also been finding that Braille use is declining. How do blind people feel about this? And is there a way I can put my skills to use?
*I tried following the links for readers on the "about" page and they were dead ends for me.
*I tried following the links for readers on the "about" page and they were dead ends for me.
bscross32 3 points 2y ago
Braille is literacy. If you can't read it, you're illiterate. Functionally so, perhaps, but still unable to read. Audio doesn't count since it's a passive process. It doesn't engage the same areas of the brain that active forms of reading do. you will never convince me that this is false.
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Look at the spelling of blind people, it's markedly bad. Of course, this isn't everyone, but in general, you will see some really out there misspellings. It's this way because speech only is not a viable option to learn how to write. Actively reading then writing helps you retain what you've read. It helps with grammar and spelling. But when so many of us use pretty much the same synthetic speech output option, you can tell.
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Furthermore, some of the mistakes made are not going to be caught by spell checkers, because they are homophones. So, unless you want to be stuck having sighted people check your work all the time, good luck in your professional endeavors, because you'll likely get passed over if your résumé and/or CV looks that bad.
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I'm not saying read Braille each and every day of your life; I am saying it should be a requirement for K-12 students to learn it. Once you're out of high school, go ahead and drop it if you wish. I believe the fundamentals of Braille are important enough to give you a grounding in reading, retention and comprehension that it's worth keeping around.
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I myself am not that proficient with Braille. Despite daily practice in my school days, I was never able to get reading up past 35WPM, and that was on a good day. I'm not quite sure why that is. Perhaps the fact that I am not totally blind, and thus, still use vision makes it harder for my brain to totally process Braille.
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I do believe that my practice in it did play a major part in cementing decent writing practices and spelling. I also used to read print as well with the aid of a CCTV, but if you do not have that option open to you as an individual, then Braille can suffice.
​
Look at the spelling of blind people, it's markedly bad. Of course, this isn't everyone, but in general, you will see some really out there misspellings. It's this way because speech only is not a viable option to learn how to write. Actively reading then writing helps you retain what you've read. It helps with grammar and spelling. But when so many of us use pretty much the same synthetic speech output option, you can tell.
​
Furthermore, some of the mistakes made are not going to be caught by spell checkers, because they are homophones. So, unless you want to be stuck having sighted people check your work all the time, good luck in your professional endeavors, because you'll likely get passed over if your résumé and/or CV looks that bad.
​
I'm not saying read Braille each and every day of your life; I am saying it should be a requirement for K-12 students to learn it. Once you're out of high school, go ahead and drop it if you wish. I believe the fundamentals of Braille are important enough to give you a grounding in reading, retention and comprehension that it's worth keeping around.
​
I myself am not that proficient with Braille. Despite daily practice in my school days, I was never able to get reading up past 35WPM, and that was on a good day. I'm not quite sure why that is. Perhaps the fact that I am not totally blind, and thus, still use vision makes it harder for my brain to totally process Braille.
​
I do believe that my practice in it did play a major part in cementing decent writing practices and spelling. I also used to read print as well with the aid of a CCTV, but if you do not have that option open to you as an individual, then Braille can suffice.
oncenightvaler 1 points 2y ago
I am totally blind and love reading in Braille. I am taking a course to do transcription in Braille for schoolboards and the local blind library and etc.
I have had several arguments of "technology is still quite beneficial but without Braille we aren't really reading we are being read to" if you catch my meaning.
I have had several arguments of "technology is still quite beneficial but without Braille we aren't really reading we are being read to" if you catch my meaning.
bradley22 0 points 2y ago
I believe braille is dying, I can read it because of the school I attended but it wouldn’t surprise me if kids/teeens won’t learn it today because of the tech out there.
I’m completely fine with this, braille is good for charts and keys but we can read everything else using computers and phones.
Actually maths might suffer but I don’t read any of that stuff so don’t care about it.
I’m completely fine with this, braille is good for charts and keys but we can read everything else using computers and phones.
Actually maths might suffer but I don’t read any of that stuff so don’t care about it.
Milkedpatient 2 points 2y ago
Some people are deaf as well as blind.
bradley22 0 points 2y ago
That’s true and I didn’t think of that at all.
Turns out braille won’t be dying out like I thought.
Turns out braille won’t be dying out like I thought.
retrolental_morose 1 points 2y ago
even without the deafblind, many of /u/,bscross32's comments on spelling, grammar etc are very valid.
I'd add the point that typing on a touchscreen device is very slow for some, and knowing braille can speed that up as well.
I have finger issues that make my physical reading speed very slow, but a good knowledge of the braille code and tools like Braille Screen Input have had a huge impact on my mobile life.
I'd add the point that typing on a touchscreen device is very slow for some, and knowing braille can speed that up as well.
I have finger issues that make my physical reading speed very slow, but a good knowledge of the braille code and tools like Braille Screen Input have had a huge impact on my mobile life.
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
Oh? That’s cool that braille imput helps a lot of people.
I’ve not read the comments but you can learn to spell using screen readers but pronunciation depends on what synthesiser you’re using.
I’ve not read the comments but you can learn to spell using screen readers but pronunciation depends on what synthesiser you’re using.
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