Six

Braille-iant
Dots!
A beginners guide to
learning the braille code

About the Braille System

raille is a system of six

raised dots that are
arranged in different ways
within the braille cell to
represent letters, numbers
and punctuation.
To read braille, you glide the
tips of your fingers over the
dotted bumps to feel the letters
they represent.
Check the back of this booklet
so you can feel real braille with
your fingers!

The braille cell

1
2
3

4
5
6

Letter a

Letter b

Letter c

The Full Alphabet

a

History of Braille

any years ago, a French

captain invented a way
for soldiers to communicate
silently and without light at
night. This night writing
code was made from bumps
on cardboard.
Eventually he took his invention
to a school for the blind in
Paris, France. A young student
named Louis Braille thought it
was such a great idea that at
just 15-years-old he created his
own braille code specifically
for people who are blind!

It wasnt long before Brailles

classmates began to use this
system too. Many years later,
braille has become common
around the world. Its even
used in music, mathematics
and different languages!

Louis Braille

Activity

an you turn this quote

by Louis Braille into
braille dots?
Fill in the cells with dots
according to the letters in
the alphabet!
Braille is knowledge.
Knowledge is power.

Why is Braille Important?

raille is one of the many

tools used by people who
are blind or partially sighted to
help with reading and writing.
Braille can be found in many
places. Watch for it on recycling
bins, buses, libraries, textbooks,
sheet music, elevators and
even restrooms!

Activity
Scavenger Hunt!

ith permission from a

parent or teacher, go on a
braille scavenger hunt and keep
track of where you find it. When
you do, try using your fingers to
feel the bumps. Dont forget to
bring this guide book with you!

Places I found braille!

1) Place

What it said!

2) Place

What it said!

3) Place

What it said!

4) Place

What it said!

Numbers
When braille is used for numbers, the braille number sign always comes first so
the braille reader understands that it is a number, not a letter.

For bigger numbers, you combine

the numbers together like this:

Activity
Write your name using braille dots!

Quiz!
Lets see how much you have
learned about braille!

1. Who invented braille?

2. What country was braille invented in?

3. How many dots can fit in each cell?

4. Who was braille made for?

5. What kinds of places can you find braille?

We hope you enjoyed learning about the braille code.

Keep this handy booklet to help you read braille in your community.
Now you can teach your friends and family too!

This booklet was provided by CNIB Alberta and Northwest

Territories, an organization focused on helping people who
are blind and partially sighted see beyond their vision loss.
Copyright 2015, CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories. Reproduction not permitted.
To purchase copies, contact CNIB at 403-261-7227 or media-abnwt@cnib.ca