Braille is a system of raised dots that are used by visually impaired individuals to read and write. The system was developed by Louis Braille in the early 19th century and has been an essential tool for the blind community ever since. In this blog post, we will explore the tools used to produce and read braille.

To produce braille, one of the most common tools is a braille embosser. This device takes electronic text and embosses it onto paper, creating raised dots that can be read by touch. Braille embossers come in a variety of sizes and can range from desktop models to portable devices. The most common type of braille embosser is a Perkins braillewriter.

Another braille tool used to is a slate and stylus. This simple device consists of a metal slate with rectangular holes and a stylus with a sharp point. By placing a piece of paper over the slate and using the stylus to punch the dots through the paper, the user can produce braille manually.

To read braille, a braille display is a popular tool. This device consists of a refreshable braille cell that displays text from a computer or other electronic device. The user can run their fingers over the braille display and feel the raised dots, allowing them to read the text.

A braille reader can also use a refreshable braille book, which is an electronic device that displays a whole page of braille at once. Other tools used to read braille include braille books, which are printed on heavy paper with raised dots, and audiobooks, which provide a spoken version of the text.

In conclusion, braille has been an essential tool for the visually impaired community for many years, and there are a variety of tools available to produce and read it. From braille embossers and slates to braille displays and books, these braille tools have made it easier for the blind to access information and communicate effectively.

Here at SBES we are often teaching different braille tools and helping students to get the training they need to have successes with them.