• What is braille?
• Why learn braille when there is speech available on computers for blind and vision-impaired people?
• Are braille words spelt the same as written words?
• What happens to pictures and diagrams?
• Are there numbers in braille?
• Can you braille music?
• Can you write any language in braille?
• How long does it take to learn?
• Is braille hard to learn?
• How do you write in braille?
• Can braille be on both sides of the paper like print?
• Can young children learn braille?
• Can an older person learn braille?
• How do students who read braille sit exams?
• Does it cost anything to learn braille?
• How can I make a donation?
• How do I get more information?

What is braille?

Braille is a system of reading and writing that uses embossed (raised) dots. Braille characters are formed by using different combinations of six dots. These dots are arranged in a pattern called a braille cell which is two dots across and three dots down. Louis Braille, who was French, invented this system of dots in 1824 when he was just fifteen years old.

Why learn braille when there is speech available on computers for blind and vision-impaired people?

Computer speech software is good for speed, but braille is the only reading and writing medium that is truly comparable to print.

Hearing the spoken word does not always give enough information, for example, the pronunciation of a word is often not a clear indication of how that word should be spelt. A spelling mistake is more obvious in braille than hearing a mispronunciation amongst a lot of speech. Braille is also useful for labelling a variety of objects such as CDs, spice holders, or cans. You can also write notes and take down phone numbers. A blind or vision-impaired person being able to use braille is like a sighted person being able to use a pen.

Are braille words spelt the same as written words?

Yes, but because braille takes up around three times as much space as print, short-form braille words have been developed. This is referred to nowadays as "contracted Braille" and was adapted from the "uncontracted" code Louis Braille invented over 180 years ago. Uncontracted braille is most easily described as the braille alphabet. Every word is represented in braille, letter for letter, just as in print. For example the word "and" in uncontracted braille would be written in braille using the braille letters a, n, and d. The word "and" in contracted braille would be written with a single braille character representing the word "and". This of course would use fewer braille characters and therefore take up less space.

What happens to pictures and diagrams?

Tactile pictures are made for diagrams and pictures that cannot be easily explained in words. Subjects like geography and mathematics often require tactile pictures.

Are there numbers in braille?

Yes. Writing numbers in braille requires putting two characters together. Placing a special character called the number sign is directly in front of letters A - J of the braille alphabet, this makes the digits 0 to 9. Phone numbers, appointment times, prices – basically anything that has a number in it can all be written in braille.

Can you braille music?

Yes. In 1829, five years after developing literary braille, Louis Braille invented a method of representing music through raised dots called "music braille". Notes such as A, B or F are represented by different combinations of the top four dots. Each note’s value (such as crotchet or minim) is represented by different combinations of the bottom two dots. Pitch and other musical symbols are represented through different combinations of the six braille dots in a braille cell before the music note.

Can you write any language in braille?

Yes. Since the 1990s braille has been used in almost every country in the world and has been adapted to almost every known language, from Albanian to Zulu. Even pictorial Chinese characters can be represented in braille.

How long does it take to learn?

This varies among individuals, but on average it takes about four months to learn uncontracted braille and up to two years to learn contracted braille. Most people find it easier to write braille than to read it.

Is braille hard to learn?

It's no harder than learning any new skill. Like anything, it just takes practice. Braille is about learning to pick up written information through the sense of touch and it is developing this sense of touch which takes time and practice.

How do you write in braille?

There are many types of braille machines used in New Zealand. The most common manual braille machine is the Perkins Brailler and the best known electronic brailler is the Mountbatten. There are also electronic braille note takers that produce raised dots on a refreshable braille display. Braille machines cost from around $2,500 for a Perkins Brailler to $15,000 for an electronic braille note taker.

Can braille be on both sides of the paper like print?

Yes. This is called "interpoint" or "interline" and is produced by a braille embosser. A braille embosser is a machine which makes dots in braille on paper. When a book is produced like this you can read it both sides of each piece of paper - just like a print book.

Can young children learn braille?

Yes, in the same way young children learn to read print. Most blind and vision-impaired children will be taught braille by a vision resource teacher who will come into their classroom. They will use the same books as their sighted classmates, only their books will be in braille.

Can an older person learn braille?

Yes, there is no age barrier to learning braille. Some older learners and users of braille are in their nineties.

How do students who read braille sit exams?

School and tertiary exams are sent to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind either by the student's school, by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority or by the tertiary institution. The exams are transcribed into braille, illustrations are either verbalised or a tactile diagram is created, proofread carefully and returned before the exam is to be sat. Some students choose to answer in braille, and their answers are then transcribed into print.

Does it cost anything to learn braille?

RNZFB members do not pay to learn braille from the RNZFB. Students' costs are covered by the Ministry of Education. However, the costs of teaching braille to adults are met solely from donations.

How can I make a donation?

You can make a donation by calling 0800 DONATE (0800 366 283) or by making an online donation.

How do I get more information?

Read the braille section on this website, call us on 0800 24 33 33 or send us an email.