436 - A new method for Adults to learn Braille

Braille has come a long way since its creation. How to learn it hasn’t changed much - until now. In this episode we introduce you to Hadley - a new resource available online worldwide to teach adults Braille.

[@cchambersglenn]

I am deaf, blind in my right eye and decreasing vision in my left eye. Hadley has been extremely helpful for me. So correct about the feedback. At the end of each page, I tell myself “Hey, you’re doing it!”😊

[@scottjones5127]

Thanks Hadley!! I've come to enjoy my morning braille lesson. I find it relaxing sitting in my recliner and not bent over a screen display and straining to see.

[@HeatherKentAspen]

I've just ordered workbooks 3 and 4. The program is fantastic and makes learning braille feel manageable. Plus, it's kinda fun!

[@JSWilliamssr]

I LOVE Hadley. I just finished the letters course and today I received Book 9, Numbers. Thank God for Hadley.

[@dosesandmimoses]

May I ask a rather silly question? What if you have a cut on the dominant hands fingertip?

[@JSWilliamssr]

You can use any finger to read.

[@dosesandmimoses]

@@JSWilliamssr great point! Since you are learning or mastering braille, maybe you have an answer. Do you switch digits or do you primarily use one dominant finger? Just wondering - thanks!

[@JSWilliamssr]

@@dosesandmimoses I primarily use my index finger, but sometimes switch to my middle finger when the index starts feeling a little sore.

[@HeatherKentAspen]

I wondered about that as well!

[@JimIsHereAZ]

This was very encouraging. Thank you.

[@stuartduncan2772]

I've just realised that I do'n't need to be fluent with Braille to get a benefit. My struggle has been the physical recognition of characters with my fingers. I'm fairly confident with my letter recognition in my head. I hadn't thought about using abbreviated labelling such as S for shampoo or C for conditioner instead of writing out the whole word. Obviously, this is not the full Braille experience but I can see how this would work for me. I decided to learn Braille after getting stuck in a lift one day when I couldn't see the lettering on the buttons. I'm now competent enough to avoid that happening again.

[@dosesandmimoses]

Also, is braille generally consistent universally? Or is it uniquely coded to each language ?

[@kaishawna3753]

It’s coded to each language. To people who don’t know, braille is NOT a language. It is a code.