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What is Braille ?
Braille was invented by Louis Braille(1809-1852) of France.
He became blind at the age of 3 due to injury caused to the eye by a pointed tool
used by his father. He used a pointed stylus to develop Braille codes
for French Alphabet (same as English Alphabet). Since then, Braille has
remained the language of blind persons, all over the world. Braille is
a system of making raised dots on paper to form letters and words that are read by
the blind persons with their fingertips. The basic Braille “cell”
consists of two columns of three dots. The dots are numbered 1,2,
3 from top to bottom, on the left side of the cell and 4,5,6 from top to bottom, on the right side
of the cell. Alphabet, words, punctuation marks, numbers, or musical notes can be written in Braille
using different combinations of the dots of Braille codes. Braille can be
written with a Braille writing machine (similar to a typewriter). It can also be
written by using a pointed stylus to punch dots on slightly thick paper (Chart paper) using
a Braille slate with rows of small "cells" in it, as a guide. This method of
writing Braille is similar to writing text with a pen or pencil on a paper. English alphabet and corresponding Braille codes can
be seen in the photo, ‘English
Braille’.
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Braille for
Indian Languages
In India, Braille codes suitable for major Indian languages are
now available. You can see Braille codes corresponding
to Telugu alphabet by clicking
Telugu Braille.
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Universal Braille
Kit
Vidya Vriksha, a NGO in Chennai, Tamilnadu, has developed Universal Braille Kit for
teaching Braille and basics of arithmetic. This Braille kit includes, specially
designed Braille learning tools and tools for learning arithmetic and geometry.
It can be used by any member of family to teach a blind student from the age of
four and above. The Kits contain following devices, which can be seen in the
photo of Universal Braille Kit.
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1.
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Vasantha Braille Cube
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To learn Braille codes.
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2.
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Natesan Braille Block
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To form words in Braille codes.
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3.
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Vikas Composer
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To form words and phrases in Braille codes.
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4.
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Alphabet plate
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To learn alphabets and corresponding Braille codes.
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5.
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Braille slate and Stylus
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To learn writing in Braille codes.
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6.
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Abacus
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To learn addition and subtraction in arithmetic.
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7.
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Braille geometry set
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To learn drawing of geometrical shapes and forms.
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8.
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Taylor frame
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To learn writing mathematical equations and problems.
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9.
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Instructor's manual
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For guidance to teachers teaching Braille, in regional language.
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Distribution of Braille
Kits
Samrita Trust has a project of distribution of Universal Braille Kits
to blind students at home and in primary schools in Andhra Pradesh.
To start with the plan is to give the Universal Braille Kits to 2 or 3
mandals in each district in AP to generate awareness of Braille kits and
their benefits for teaching Braille and Arithmetic. Later It is planned
to supply, free of cost, one Braille kit for each blind student identified
by AP SSA project at home or in primary schools. Vidya Vrikshah, Chennai
has donated 500 Universal Braille Kits for distribution to blind students
in schools in Andhra Pradesh. Braille kits were distributed to 480 blind
children in 46 mandals in 19 districts during September 2008. Samrita Trust
has ambitious program of raising funds to procure and distribute Universal
Braille Kits to blind students. Target is to supply Braille Kits to
2,000 blind students by March 2012. Click here
to see the slide show of the function.
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Sources of supply
The Universal Braille kits can be supplied by Project Officers(SSA)
in each district. The schools with blind students can contact Samrita Trust
at the address given below. The Universal Braille Kits can also be purchased from
Worth Trust at a price of Rs.500 per kit, on payment by demand draft.
Worth Trust,
48, New Tirumala Road ,
Katpadi - 632007,Tamil Nadu.
Tel #:91- 416- 2242739 / 2243939
E-mail:
worth@md3.vsnl.net.in
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