A New Look at Braille
Ligon’s child, age eight, now gets to enjoy classic children’s books such as Guess How Much I Love You and The Dot.
“I hope these books make Braille less scary for all individuals,” said Ligon.
Ligon is an associate professor of communication design at the University of North Texas and he co-founded the page format used by Brailleink to solve problems he and his wife came across as they tried to share books with their son, Ethan.
Bruce Curtis, who also co-founded the process, has extensive experience with nonprofit management and blindness/visual impairment.
The non-profit organization, Brailleink provides Braille products to enhance learning materials for kids. The agency also distributes reading products to the sighted.
The original print and illustration is not compromised when transferred to Braille.
Up until now children’s books have been printed on blank white paper which made it problematic for blind individuals. Even Braille on clear sheets would often cover up the text and illustrations. There was also no alignment between the text and the Braille in these books so it made it hard to teach.
Most blind children cannot attend regular public schools according to Brailleink.
The company published Braille books with a page layout that is designed for shared learning. Basic Braille instructions are printed in the back of each of their books. Board book construction is bound to protect the Braille.
Braille readers hands don’t block what the sighted reader is trying to see and it’s easy to see what the Braille says.
You can make a tax-deductible donation, make referrals to the company, or help spread the word through libraries, teachers, and other means.
Ligon presented Braille research in Vancouver, B.C., Beijing, China, Canada, and Cambridge, U.K.
Almost no one in public schools knows Braille except for Braille teachers who have limited contact with blind students.
There is a well-established connection between reading and home with family and literacy, according to Brailleink’s website.
Braille only books are traditionally only able to be read by well-trained individuals.
The Brailleink’s books make it easier for people who don’t know Braille to help a Braille reader. Each book contains a glossary, alphabet, numbers, contractions used in the book, and punctuation keys. There is also information on select rules for Braille usage.
Thick paper holds the Braille embossing well and the book construction is very sturdy. The pages are easy to turn and the pages are laminated to protect the Braille. An embossed border keeps the Braille from being flattened.
Spanish books will be added to the product line on-going.
