Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Braille sources for learning? (self.Blind)
submitted by Zaxzia
So I started showing vision loss about 4 years ago and was diagnosed with pathological myopia. It's been gradual but no big deal. Then last year suffered bilateral CNVs a couple weeks apart. (retinal bleed for those who don't know) I was treated with eye injections. I have had a recurrence. I'm on avastin injections again, but was informed some people don't respond to the drugs well and since it's only been 6 months since my last injections I'm probably one of them. Thus I will probably be on the pokey side of a needle until my vision progresses to the point that there really isn't a point anymore. Seeing as my condition is degenerative and I'm in my low 30s, and already moving into large print and audio due to issues, I've been considering learning braille. I've always been an avid reader and don't like the idea of being unable to read. Particularly later in life when I feel it might be harder to learn. I've also now figured out how much a tiny bleed in just the right, or wrong spot can complicate reading. A lot. So I could effectively lose my ability to read at all or without a life sapping headache at any point.(tbh the latter happens now lol)
Since I by no means NEED braille yet, how would I go about getting braille materials to learn with? I feel guilty requesting them from NLS (not to mention I'm only authorized for large print and audio). Are there mundane places where I can get braille pamphlets for free or something? I have an app that teaches me the dots including contractions and such, it's just the actual reading of the braille I'm missing and getting used to feeling it. I don't really care WHAT I'm reading, just that it's something that I can use to learn.
Out of everything I do, reading is what scares me the most to lose. I mean I love taking photographs and stuff, but a picture is a small snapshot of a single place or item in a moment of time. Words can paint whole worlds.
Note: I don't have easy access to O&M or low vision services. I'm several hours away from my low vision center. And I feel stupid even thinking about asking. Hell I still feel stupid wearing my giant contrast glasses(they go over my other glasses). And at night I feel REALLY embarrassed swinging a walking stick around in front of me in the yard when I walk around. I know I shouldn't, I'm night blind and am tired of tripping over shit so took my LV therapists advice, but I still feel ridiculous. I really don't want to ask anyone for braille that knows me and that I can see. God do all of us with progressive vision go through this? This very uncomfortable feeling?
Anyway thanks for any suggestions. Extra thanks if I can request the materials anonymously!
Since I by no means NEED braille yet, how would I go about getting braille materials to learn with? I feel guilty requesting them from NLS (not to mention I'm only authorized for large print and audio). Are there mundane places where I can get braille pamphlets for free or something? I have an app that teaches me the dots including contractions and such, it's just the actual reading of the braille I'm missing and getting used to feeling it. I don't really care WHAT I'm reading, just that it's something that I can use to learn.
Out of everything I do, reading is what scares me the most to lose. I mean I love taking photographs and stuff, but a picture is a small snapshot of a single place or item in a moment of time. Words can paint whole worlds.
Note: I don't have easy access to O&M or low vision services. I'm several hours away from my low vision center. And I feel stupid even thinking about asking. Hell I still feel stupid wearing my giant contrast glasses(they go over my other glasses). And at night I feel REALLY embarrassed swinging a walking stick around in front of me in the yard when I walk around. I know I shouldn't, I'm night blind and am tired of tripping over shit so took my LV therapists advice, but I still feel ridiculous. I really don't want to ask anyone for braille that knows me and that I can see. God do all of us with progressive vision go through this? This very uncomfortable feeling?
Anyway thanks for any suggestions. Extra thanks if I can request the materials anonymously!
DHamlinMusic 5 points 1y ago
You can get a braille Scrabble set that has both braille and print.
I personally found that to be very useful.
I personally found that to be very useful.
Zaxzia [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Oooo that sounds like a great idea. It will certainly help. Any stuff with numbers and contractions you can think of to supplement?
Also, my flair keeps not saving when I edited. It says fail to save, how did you save yours?
Also, my flair keeps not saving when I edited. It says fail to save, how did you save yours?
lil-alfalfa-sprout 2 points 1y ago
Braille Uno!
Zaxzia [OP] 2 points 1y ago
That would have stop, go, wild and colors too right? As well as numbers? So games. I shall ask for braille games for bday xmas
DHamlinMusic 2 points 1y ago
The Scrabble tiles have numbers so that is covered. Grade 2 stuff Not sure, I taught myself from using the braille screen input on my phone for typing.
As for with flair, mine was placed by a mod.
As for with flair, mine was placed by a mod.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
About the flaire thing can you close out and restart the app or website. Or try another method like an app or website?
aziza29 3 points 1y ago
While it would be nice for you to have a braille reader around to support you, it's certainly do-able to learn to read braille by yourself. I did it (without vision loss) myself, then again in a formal graduate class, and honestly it is not that hard. Since you still have some amount of vision, I would recommend "Handbook For Learning to Read Braille By Sight." It has leveled and structured lessons that make sense and are easy to comprehend, and it also has real braille practice pages that you can use to tactilely practice (which is what you really need).
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Learning-Braille-Sight-7-51450/dp/9991087354
Additionally, since I'm guessing you have access to the whole home delivery thing, I would recommend ordering some children's books in the 1st-2nd grade range. When I started, I ordered uncontracted braille to simply practice the letters (you can "filter" results by contracted/uncontracted to find what you need). Then when you've learned contracted, you can order some more kids books with a bit more of a challenge. This is what I would recommend so as not to burn yourself out.
***I understand you may not want to go through the process of modifying the authorizations in order to request braille, due to fear or some internalized shame/other emotions. However, you will need it eventually, so you might as well get it authorized. Those employees are so nice I bet you could call and tell them you're going to lose all vision soon and you need braille to practice with. Also, using the vision you have now will aid in your learning of braille and help you remember it.
***BUT if you're seriously opposed to getting it authorized, APH (american printing house for the blind) sells childrens books on their website that you can purchase.
As another option, I'd be so happy to make braille for you and mail it! All mailed braille is free, so no costs. I work at a school for the blind and have access to braillers as well as embossers (the giant machines that create braille) and could easily do that. :) I live in AZ, of it matters.
As for reading the braille itself, you will need to learn the proper hand movements if you want to develop speed. The most efficient method is Scissoring. This is the video I used to learn how to do this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fbUmaUV02gg
As I learned, I also found that creating braille on a normal Perkins brailler REALLY significantly helped my memory of the symbols. It gave me a concrete way to DO my practice and for me, this is what really solidified it in my brain. Since you are VI you may be entitled to loaning a brailler from the library system.
Hope this helps!! I am a TVI so please do message me if you want to talk further!
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Learning-Braille-Sight-7-51450/dp/9991087354
Additionally, since I'm guessing you have access to the whole home delivery thing, I would recommend ordering some children's books in the 1st-2nd grade range. When I started, I ordered uncontracted braille to simply practice the letters (you can "filter" results by contracted/uncontracted to find what you need). Then when you've learned contracted, you can order some more kids books with a bit more of a challenge. This is what I would recommend so as not to burn yourself out.
***I understand you may not want to go through the process of modifying the authorizations in order to request braille, due to fear or some internalized shame/other emotions. However, you will need it eventually, so you might as well get it authorized. Those employees are so nice I bet you could call and tell them you're going to lose all vision soon and you need braille to practice with. Also, using the vision you have now will aid in your learning of braille and help you remember it.
***BUT if you're seriously opposed to getting it authorized, APH (american printing house for the blind) sells childrens books on their website that you can purchase.
As another option, I'd be so happy to make braille for you and mail it! All mailed braille is free, so no costs. I work at a school for the blind and have access to braillers as well as embossers (the giant machines that create braille) and could easily do that. :) I live in AZ, of it matters.
As for reading the braille itself, you will need to learn the proper hand movements if you want to develop speed. The most efficient method is Scissoring. This is the video I used to learn how to do this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fbUmaUV02gg
As I learned, I also found that creating braille on a normal Perkins brailler REALLY significantly helped my memory of the symbols. It gave me a concrete way to DO my practice and for me, this is what really solidified it in my brain. Since you are VI you may be entitled to loaning a brailler from the library system.
Hope this helps!! I am a TVI so please do message me if you want to talk further!
BenandGracie 2 points 1y ago
check out hadley.edu they have a ton of braille related stuff on there site.
aziza29 2 points 1y ago
They have numbers 0-9, W for wild, R for reverse, so on :)
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Can you get brailled magazines from nls.
Are you a christian? What about a free braille bible. You can get in worshipping God plus reading the braille there. Lots to read.
Are you a christian? What about a free braille bible. You can get in worshipping God plus reading the braille there. Lots to read.
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