Retracing Steps

Hello again!
After two months of relative inactivity, I’ve finally had time again to resume memorizing the Braille alphabet. I’m hesitant to go on to the third session in my BRL (Braille through Remote Learning) because I don’t have all the alphabet memorized; I really want to get them down before I move on. Also, I really need to look online and order a little pocket Braille learning device, as shown below, to actually start developing touch sensitivity to the raised dots.

It’s $4.95 on Amazon:

and I’m wondering how well it actually works, and if it actually does provide good practice. I’m hoping to order it this weekend.

For right now, I’m just going to finish memorizing the rest of the Braille alphabet (and re-learning it from 2 months ago).

Learning the Alphabet!

Learned Fact:
For the first 10 letters of the alphabet (a-j), you must basically memorize the dot formation. For the next 10 letters, though (k-t), all you have to do is add a cell dot 3 to all of the first 10 cells. (Cell number order pictured below).

Braille Cell Number Notation:

Cell Formation (the dot numbers)

Tiny Steps

Well, hello there! Now that Winter Break has (mercifully) arrived, I’ve started my research into Braille and how in the world I will learn it.

On a brief side note, though, I’d just like to let it be known that I tried my hand at touch sensitivity today outside my school’s science buildings, where they have the number of the room on a plaque outside, Braille included. It relieved me somewhat that I was able to detect the general shape of the character (Is that what they’re called? Must read more), even if I couldn’t tell exactly how many dots there were in a line. It’s a start.

But anyways.
I found a site (seems a bit outdated, but it’ll do for now, to get me started) that lets you register for free to learn Braille. Once you input your e-mail address, it sends you a username and password. It includes a 12-course lesson on Basic Braille (there’s three options: Basic, Transcribing,and Special Code). I have not started reading yet, and am just about to begin.

Braille through Remote Learning

Learned Fact of the Day:

There’s three ‘grades’ of Braille.
1.The basic Braille, consisting of 26-letter alphabet.
2.Second grade, consisting of some shorthand.
3.Advanced, consisting of math Braille, musical, and more shorthand. Mostly used in personal letters and diaries.

Over and out!

Hopefully

Well, hello there! This will hopefully be my online blog detailing my senior project, learning Braille, and the lessons and adventures of blindfolding myself for a day (or more).

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