Braille


Braille is a system developed for the blind in order to help them read.  It uses raised dots, read by the fingertip, to replicate any symbol, which is used in text. This includes the alphabet, foreign languages, music notes, punctuation and scientific and mathematic characters. The Braille system is the most common method of reading for the blind and is recognised worldwide.

This guide has been written to give you an insight in to the history of Braille and how it was invented. It explores how Braille is both written and read and the benefits of learning Braille for the blind and partially sighted.

The history of Braille

Braille was the life project of Louis Braille, a poor Frenchman born in 1809. His sight became limited at a young age after slipping in his father’s workshop and piercing his eye with a sharp tool. Initially just one eye was affected. However by the time Louis was four, the infection spread and he became blind in both eyes. 

Aged ten years old Louis gained a scholarship to the Royal Institute for the Young Blind in Paris, thanks to a local landowner who saw Louis potential. It was here that Louis first used a form of raised lines and dots to aid with reading. This original system was devised by Charles Barbier de la Serre as a method of communication for soldiers in the dark. The system was never fully adopted by the Institution as it was clumsy to read and over complicated. Louis saw the potential in the system and set about creating a simpler version.

Louis was fifteen by the time he adapted Charles system to the Braille system which is used today. The system was based on the common alphabet and devised using six-dot cells. Louis spent most of his adult life teaching at the Institute, translating books and also music scores into the Braille system in his spare time. The Braille system suffered much resistance and was not widely accepted when Louis died in 1852. However, Braille is now the most recognised method of reading and writing for the blind worldwide.

Using Braille

Anyone can learn to use Braille, though most people who use Braille tend to be partially sighted or blind and therefore read Braille by touch.  Braille is most useful for those registered blind, deafblind and partially sighted to increase their independence and provide freedom. Those who aren’t visually impaired tend to learn to read Braille by sight, users with sight tend to be those who work with the blind such as teachers.

Writing Braille

Braille is written using cells. Each cell compromises of 6 dots, which are either present or left blank. Using different combinations of these dots allows for 63 different characters to be used in Braille, exclude the space.

There are two different ways Braille can be written using either Grade I or Grade II codes. Grade I Braille simply uses the common alphabet, number and punctuation. Grade II Braille introduces common contractions such as ‘the’ and ‘ch’ and short hand under their own codes. This makes reading easier and faster, taking up less space than printing out each character. Due to this most books and magazines are published in Grade II Braille.

Reading Braille

Braille is read by touch for the visually impaired, using the forefingers on one or both hands. Braille can also be read by sight for those who have vision, particularly by parents or teachers of the blind.

Learning Braille 

Braille is not hard to learn and can be self-taught using books or the Internet. Alternatively courses are available in many blind schools and colleges. Children tend to pick up Braille quickly and easily and blind children are taught Braille at an early age either at home or at school.

Braillists have to memorise the pattern of dots and the letter to which they correspond to, these can be picked up quickly and easily due to the way the code is devised. There are two grades in which Braille is written for the beginner moving onto more advanced. 

Today Braille is used worldwide as a code for reading and writing for the blind and partially sighted. It is commonly mistaken for a language; however it is simply a form of a language the blind can read. The invention of the computer has taken Braille to a new level with both Braille keyboard and printers available, helping users to easily communicate with those who do not know Braille. Millions of books have also been translated into Braille, which are widely available to buy in many countries and also to loan from libraries. Braille is not only used as a tool for reading but to help the blind get from place to place independently. It is common for lifts and signs on trains to have Braille code printed onto them to help make journeys easier.

Benefits of Braille

The benefits of being able to read Braille are:

  • It is a code which can be self-taught, making it simpler to use than many other methods of communication for the blind.
  • It is possible to read and write print, rather than just listen to audiotape and use a voice activated computer.
  • A wide choice of books and magazines are available in Braille, reading can therefore still be a leisure pursuit.
  • Braille can be used for many different types of labels such as food, medicine, DVD and CDs. This enables independence and the freedom to perform many tasks, which would not otherwise be possible without sight.
  • Braille also increases independence in the form of travel, many lifts and trains now use Braille on the signs, increasing the ways the blind can move around.
  • Games such as bingo and cards can be played by using specially adapted cards or boards. This enables the braillist to join games played with the family and peers.
  • Many companies offer bills, statements and newsletters in Braille format upon request. Alongside some restaurants and pubs, again increasing the independence of the braillist.
  • Braille can now easily be produced on a computer with translation software and a Braille printer. There are also many portable computers available and a soft display can be used to read text on a computer.
  • Using such methods can enable braillists to produce documents for their own use such as notes or a diary. They can also print off letters and documents to be sent to others in standard letter formats.

Braille offers the opportunity to transform the lives of the blind and partially sighted. Being able to read and write Braille creates the possibility for employment, independence and reading and writing for both work and leisure. It provides the possibility for further education, many education and vocational institutes provide resources and support materials for courses in Braille. It also helps to make everyday tasks such as taking medicine and using the lift far easier.


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.