Building an Easy Transition to Braille Learning with Braille Bridge

Learning to read braille as an adult can be a daunting task. The majority of early braille learning materials often cater to young students or children, making finding beginning braille reading tools as an adult difficult. Braille Bridge is about to change that. A combination of digital and hard copy reading materials for older transition-age students as well as adults learning to read braille, Braille Bridge makes the transition to learning braille easy. Braille Bridge is not a learning curriculum, but a tool to provide adults with braille reading tools that were designed with them in mind.  

“Learning and reading braille as an adult allows for more independence and knowledge of the world around you. Signs, keypads, and tactile labels are all examples of common use of braille in everyday lives,” said Laura Zierer, Braille Bridge Product Manager at APH. Braille Fluency as an adult provides a level of independence in navigating the world, and the workplace. It allows adults to engage with their environment in a whole new way and gives them the opportunity to understand their environment through tactile exploration.  

Braille Bridge offers age-appropriate reading material while catering to understanding the basics of braille. This material will aim to incorporate not only complex vocabulary along with interesting and advanced topics but will include engaging stories for adult readers. “Adults don’t like to practice braille on children’s books,” said Laura. Braille Bridge materials will be available in both digital and hard copy formats to ensure that anyone can utilize the product regardless of which braille reading device they choose to use.  

A significant portion of new braille readers and adults who are blind or low vision do not own a braille display or embosser making a delivered hard copy essential for access to braille materials. For most readers, comfort and fluency develops over time. With limited access to braille learning reading materials, adults are often left with only early education or children’s material to practice with.  

All braille learners deserve access to interesting and motivating reading material to guide them in their journey to braille literacy. “This product fills a very large need in the braille learning community of braille-curious, newly blind adults. Once my rehabilitation case was closed, I lost access to my braille tutor, and this self-guided document is the first training course that has been exciting and easy enough to inspire me to get back into regular braille practice. This is just about the highest praise I can give a product for this market,” said one Braille Bridge field tester. 

As Braille Bridge is still in the field-testing stage, there is not a clear release date. However, as we eagerly anticipate the release of this material, there are a few tips and tricks you can keep in mind on the braille learning journey. Practice braille writing alongside your reading, revisit pre-braille skills regularly, reduce distractions to focus, and enjoy!