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Six Braille-iant Dots! A beginners guide to learning the braille
code
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Braille is a system of six raised dots that are arranged in
different ways within the braille cell to represent letters,
numbers and punctuation.
To read braille, you glide the tips of your fingers over the
dotted bumps to feel the letters they represent.
Check the back of this booklet so you can feel real braille with
your fingers!
About the Braille System
The braille cell
Letter a Letter b Letter c
1
123
456
1
2
1 4
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The Full Alphabet
a cb d f g ihe
kj l m n o p q r
s t w x y zu v
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History of Braille
Many years ago, a French captain invented a way for soldiers to
communicate silently and without light at night. This night writing
code was made from bumps on cardboard.
Eventually he took his invention to a school for the blind in
Paris, France. A young student named Louis Braille thought it was
such a great idea that at just 15-years-old he created his own
braille code specifically for people who are blind!
It wasnt long before Brailles classmates began to use this
system too. Many years later, braille has become common around the
world. Its even used in music, mathematics and different
languages!
Louis Braille
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Activity
Can you turn this quote by Louis Braille into braille dots?
Fill in the cells with dots according to the letters in the
alphabet!
Braille is knowledge. Knowledge is power.
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Why is Braille Important?
Braille is one of the many tools used by people who are blind or
partially sighted to help with reading and writing.
Braille can be found in many places. Watch for it on recycling
bins, buses, libraries, textbooks, sheet music, elevators and even
restrooms!
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Activity
Scavenger Hunt!
With permission from a parent or teacher, go on a braille
scavenger hunt and keep track of where you find it. When you do,
try using your fingers to feel the bumps. Dont forget to bring this
guide book with you!
Places I found braille!
1) Place
What it said!
2) Place
What it said!
3) Place
What it said!
4) Place
What it said!
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Numbers
When braille is used for numbers, the braille number sign always
comes first so the braille reader understands that it is a number,
not a letter.
For bigger numbers, you combine the numbers together like
this:
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Activity
Write your name using braille dots!
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Quiz!
Lets see how much you have learned about braille!
1. Who invented braille?
2. What country was braille invented in?
3. How many dots can fit in each cell?
4. Who was braille made for?
5. What kinds of places can you find braille?
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We hope you enjoyed learning about the braille code. Keep this
handy booklet to help you read braille in your community.
Now you can teach your friends and family too!
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This booklet was provided by CNIB Alberta and Northwest
Territories, an organization focused on helping people who are
blind and partially sighted see beyond their vision loss.
Copyright 2015, CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories.
Reproduction not permitted. To purchase copies, contact CNIB at
403-261-7227 or [email protected]
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About the Braille SystemThe Full AlphabetHistory of
BrailleActivity #1Why is Braille Important?Activity
#2NumbersActivity #3Quiz!
