Area 4: Literacy through print and braille

All areas of literacy

• Paths to Literacy Website (External). Paths To Literacy is a US-based interactive Community of Practice providing activities, resources, and other ideas related to all aspects of literacy for children and young people with a vision impairment.

Literacy through print

• Paths to Literacy: Overview of literacy for students with low vision who are print readers (External). This US website has a range of resources on teaching students with VI. This section focuses on reading/writing approaches and resources for CYP with low vision, with links to related US sites. 
• Family Connect: Literacy Resources: Teaching Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision to Read and Write (External). Family Connect is a US website for parents. This page has tips for every stage of development to help develop a child's critical literacy skills. Includes interviews with Dr Cay Holbrook offering advice on how to promote a child’s literacy skills as part of the expanded core curriculum.

 Literacy through braille

• Paths to Literacy - overview of Braille and Braille Literacy (External). This US website has a range of resources on teaching students with VI. This section focuses on reading/writing approaches for braille readers, with links to related US sites. Also content for families.
• Paths to Literacy: Case study - Holistic Approach to Braille Reading Readiness (External). This US website has a range of resources on teaching students with VI. A case study describing how to introduce braille into the curriculum for a child at the emergent stage of literacy, includes the resources and approaches used to implement a holistic cross curricular approach.
• Paths to Literacy: Teaching Braille Readers Self-Determination and Problem Solving Skills (External). This US website has a range of resources on teaching students with VI. Two useful short case studies about the personal goals set by students to support their IT skills form the main examples in this article.
• Paths to Literacy: Strong hands make good readers (External). Article with practical strategies to support the development of strong hand skills in young braille readers - including activities for the full range of fine motor skills and tactile discrimination skills. 
• Texas School for Blind: Braille Resources (External). Texas School for Blind website listing resources and strategies for teaching braille. Also content for families.
• RNIB: Introducing braille (External). RNIB introductory courses designed to help young children learn to read through braille.
• RNIB: Learning braille – courses and resources for children and young people (External) RNIB’s factsheet to learn more about braille courses and learning resources for children.
• RNIB: Resources to Help You Sell the Positives of Learning Braille (External). A collection of 3 case studies by young people who experienced sight loss and needed to learn braille.
• Family Connect: Literacy Resources: Teaching Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision to Read and Write (External). Family Connect is a US website for parents. This page has tips for every stage of development to help develop a child's critical literacy skills. Includes interviews with Dr. Cay Holbrook offering advice on how to promote a child’s literacy skills as part of the expanded core curriculum.

Downloadable Resources 

See Area 4: Literacy homepage to discover downloadable resources shared by the sector