Thursday, February 25, 2016

Braille Writers Through the Years


I always like learning about things. Recently, I got to see a little history of braille writers. Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or who have low vision. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language. Rather, it is a code by which many languages—such as English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and dozens of others—may be written and read. Braille is used by thousands of people all over the world in their native languages, and provides a means of literacy for all. It was invented by Louis Braille. Braille is also produced by a machine known as a braille writer. Unlike a typewriter which has more than fifty keys, the braille writer has only six keys, a space bar, a line spacer, and a backspace. The six main keys are numbered to correspond with the six dots of a braille cell. Because most braille symbols contain more than a single dot, combinations of the braille writer keys can be pushed at the same time. Braille writers are losing steam with the advent of software for computers that speak to the blind and visually impaired. But the braille writer is hear to stay:


Hall Braille Writer-1892

APB New Hall- 1940-1972
Foundation Braille Writer 1933-1947
Atkinson Portable 1945
Royal National Institute for the Blind Shorthand Machine
Anderson and Sorensen writer-1950
Blistu Braillewriter-1960
Lavender Writer-1962
And still the standard:




Standard Perkins Braille Writer-since 1951


  Braille has become not only an effective means of communication, but also an essential avenue for achieving and enhancing literacy for people who are blind or have significant vision loss. Hope you enjoyed the little history of braille writers.


  

6 comments:

  1. Wow so interesting. Thank you. Thanks too for linking up to #brilliantblogposts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is very interesting and you are so welcome.

      Delete
  2. How interesting and those old Braille writers are lovely, just like old typewriters. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party on Organized 31.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is fascinating! I didn't realize that Braille could be used with any language. I can't wait to share this with my girls. We read a book about a blind boy several years ago and they have been fascinated ever since. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  4. Interesting read. I have never seen a machine that does Braille. Thank you for sharing on Faith Filled Parenting.

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing comments on stuff. Please tell me what you think of the places I have been to. If you like them or not. I love comments.