Braille Policy
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Markeaton Primary School

Enhanced Resource Base for Sight Impaired Pupils

Braille Policy

Any child supported by the Enhanced Resource Base at Markeaton School who:

has no sight or only light perception only or require a print size in excess of n75 will begin to learn Braille or an alternative tactile code if this is physically practical;

requires a print size in excess of n35 but less than n75 will be considered as potential Braille user. After an assessment of their functional vision by a Specialist Teachers of the VI and an LVA assessment by an Orthoptist from the Hospital Eye Department a decision will be made as to whether the child will begin to learn Braille or continue with print;

requires a print size less than n35 will normally use adapted print with some form of magnification aid but may also learn Braille especially if they have a condition which may change.

Children learning Braille at KS1 will:

begin by joining in class lessons using tactile letters and numbers;

start to gain an awareness of the Braille code and practice Pre-Braille skills using the "'Snow White' Pre-Braille Materials";

when the child is sufficiently practised in these skills they will then learn to read and write the letters of the alphabet and numbers using a Perkin's Brailler. The child at this stage will begin to write using uncontracted Braille and class reading books will be adapted into Grade 1 Braille;

when the child is familiar with all the letters of the alphabet they will begin to learn fully contracted Grade 2 Braille using RNIB/VIEW Braille reading schemes - 'Braille for Infants', 'Take Off'and 'Abbi' books supplemented by a wider range of Grade 2 reading material including the 'Oxford Reading Tree' and 'Clear Vision' books. The child at this stage will continue to use a Perkin's Brailler but will begin to use more and more contractions in their writing and reading materials will be adapted into Grade 2 Braille.

Children learning Braille at KS2 will:

begin to learn fully contracted Braille, unless this is deemed inappropriate, using RNIB/VIEW reading scheme - 'Spot the Dot' supplemented by a wide range of Grade 2 reading materials. The child at this stage will use a Perkin's Brailler and will use contracted Braille in their writing and reading materials will be adapted into Grade 2 Braille;

when a child is familiar with Braille and most of the contractions they will be assessed for some kind of technological device to supplement the Perkin's Brailler for class work. The most likely device at present will be a Laptop Computer with screen reading software such as 'Jaws'.

Monitoring and Assessment:

children's progress will be monitored using the 'Markeaton Pre-Braille and Braille Record Sheets'. These sheets will be updated on a termly basis or more frequently if required and should, in consultation with the child and their parents, form the basis for IEP target setting;

children's progress in Braille will normally be assessed along with the other children in the class, using adapted versions of national and school assessment materials.