Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Are there any job or volunteering prospects for sighted individuals learning Braille? (self.Blind)
submitted by IllustriousAvacado
I've looked around and heard a lot about people transcribing texts into Braille, but I was wondering if there were any opportunities for individuals who know Braille to work with blind students? I want to actually work with people. Do you think getting a literary certification from the NFB would help me get a volunteer opportunity?
changeneverhappens 2 points 2y ago
Maybe? I'm a teacher for the visually impaired and had to go through an intense certification process through my states educational agency in order to work with blind children.
If you're in the US you may be able to volunteer with a local lighthouse or NPO for people who are blind. Many agencies that serve people with blindness aren't actually terribly accessible and could always benefit from someone willing to put brochures, flyers, and such into Duxbury or go crazy with a braille labeler.
Just a reminder though, the population of functional, let alone strong, braille readers is very small, even within the blind community. Having a strong understanding of how to accommodate for all visual impairments using large print, contrast, audio, and tactile graphics/ tactile cues, and braille will be much more useful.
If you live near a school for the blind you may be able to work as a para or as a dorm RA.
Most people with a visual impairment have other comorbid disabilities, so be open to working with kids with multiple impairments as well! Theyre a highly overlooked population that doesn't get a lot of acknowledgement, programming, or support.
Check out cortical visual impairment- its the leading cause of visual impairments in children 1-3 and requires creative supports and programming.
Basically, all of that to say, just search for a local non profit that serves the local blind community and offer to volunteer 🤷
If you're in the US you may be able to volunteer with a local lighthouse or NPO for people who are blind. Many agencies that serve people with blindness aren't actually terribly accessible and could always benefit from someone willing to put brochures, flyers, and such into Duxbury or go crazy with a braille labeler.
Just a reminder though, the population of functional, let alone strong, braille readers is very small, even within the blind community. Having a strong understanding of how to accommodate for all visual impairments using large print, contrast, audio, and tactile graphics/ tactile cues, and braille will be much more useful.
If you live near a school for the blind you may be able to work as a para or as a dorm RA.
Most people with a visual impairment have other comorbid disabilities, so be open to working with kids with multiple impairments as well! Theyre a highly overlooked population that doesn't get a lot of acknowledgement, programming, or support.
Check out cortical visual impairment- its the leading cause of visual impairments in children 1-3 and requires creative supports and programming.
Basically, all of that to say, just search for a local non profit that serves the local blind community and offer to volunteer 🤷
Rethunker 1 points 2y ago
Here's the NFB link:
$1
I'd strongly suggest contacting someone who transcribes Braille professionally. You can ask what training they received, what effort was involved, and what they would recommend for someone just learning Braille. You could contact your local school for the blind or search LinkedIn for a Braille transcriber.
Also, here's a 2009 paper from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) about Braille literacy:
$1
$1
I'd strongly suggest contacting someone who transcribes Braille professionally. You can ask what training they received, what effort was involved, and what they would recommend for someone just learning Braille. You could contact your local school for the blind or search LinkedIn for a Braille transcriber.
Also, here's a 2009 paper from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) about Braille literacy:
$1
JackEsq 1 points 2y ago
$1 provides Braille books to children. Not working directly with kids but adjacent. Teacher for the visually impaired would work directly with kids but long process. Perhaps look into your local Braille institute.
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