Reading Print and Braille

The majority of those who we support use large print. To recommend a minimum print/font size, we do a functional visual assessment where we test for comfortable reading distance for a font size for sustained reading. We also test for the smallest size the child/young person can read to.
We can recommend a variety of ways in which the child can access large print including;

• Teacher produces worksheets in the preferred font size.
• Using iPads to photograph and zoom in to increase the size.
• BookShare (formally Load2Learn) to reproduce books in a preferred font size.
• Ordering large print books from Charities such as CustomEyes or the RNIB.
• Photocopying to enlarge, many children find A3 size harder to scan.

Before we formally start teaching Braille to our students who will need it, we plan a pre braille programme. This will involve developing tactile skills through games and play, learning the braille cell patterns through play,
We can recommend pre-Braille and Braille Reading schemes or games to suit the individual child. We can also provide training and support to both staff and parents on this.

Some useful links on teaching Braille;

• Pre-Braille Assessments - Paths to Literacy
• Teaching pre-braille and basic concepts
• Clear Vision Project - Resources and Useful links
• Braille Resource Guide - Super Summary

Useful links to teach yourself sighted Braille;
'Crack the Code' booklet - A Braille Reader and Guide

Occasionally we might recommend using audio books for some children alongside reading in large print or braille. Some of the charities we recommend are

• RNIB Books - A Talking Book Service 
• Calibre Audiobooks - Subscription free audio books for visually impaired and blind readers.
• Touch to See Books - Free postal library of Touch to See books provide access to the visual world for blind and partially sighted children and adults

Raising awareness of visual impairments can also be done through the use of story. The following is a list of some books we recommend for doing this.

• Dan and Diesel; Charlotte Hudson, (EYRs and KS1)
• Moles Sunrise; Jeanne Wills (EYRs and KS1)
• The Patch; Justina Chen Headley and Mitch Vane, (KS1)
• Lucy’s Picture; Nicola Moon, (KS1 & 2)
• The Black Book of Colours; Menena Cotton (KS1 & 2)
• Rainbow Joe and Me; Maria Diaz Stron (KS1 & 2)
• See the Ocean; Estelle Condra (KS2)
• Through Grandpa’s Eyes; Patricia MacLachlan (KS2)
• The Seeing Stick; Jane Yolen (KS2)
• A Picture Book of Helen keller; David A Adler (KS2)
• A Picture Book of Louis Braille; David A Adler (KS2)
• The Sound of Colours; Jimmy Liao, (KS2)
• Looking Out for Sarah; Glenna Lang (KS2)
• For Little Eyes - more books with reviews that raise awareness of visual impairment for children

A comprehensive list of all the Book/Reading charities we recommend for VI access to literature.

• CustomEyes Books - Custom make the best known stories by choosing your preferred font, colour and style of text. 
• Clear Vision Project - A library lending to schools and families of children with visual impairments providing books with print, pictures and braille.
• Living Paintings - Books for Blind Children and Adults-  Provider of touch to see books for people of all ages
• Access 2 Books - Giant print and Braille books.
• Load 2 Learn - An accessible and adaptable library of books for children and young people with standard print disabilities.
• Calibre - Subscription free audio books for visually impaired and blind readers.