The Braille Read Together Program

Cleveland Public LibraryBarbara T. Mates

Barbara.Mates@cpl.org

More Than a “Library” Program

Braille Read Together isa Community Partnership

• National Federation of the Blind• American Council of the Blind• Cleveland Sight Center• Cleveland Public Library• Cleveland Museum of Art• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo• Cleveland Children’s Museum• Individuals Who Want Children to be

Braille Literate

Why Did the Braille Read Together Begin?

• CPL recognized the need for children with disabilities to be included in activities such as the reading club and computer usage, and were aware of the importance of Braille.

• Patrons were concerned that children were not receiving adequate Braille instruction in their schools.

• Members of the Cleveland Sight Center’s "Share the Vision Program" were looking for a meaningful program in which to share their vision.

Why Be Concerned About Braille Literacy?

• "Braille has always been and always will be more than a means of literacy, for some Braille represents, competence, independence and equality."

--S.J. Spungin, Vice-President, National Programs and

Initiatives, American Foundation for the Blind

Braille Literacy Amendment• Signed by all five national blindness

organizations in the United States in 1994 to promote Braille as an equal and viable option to print.

• Valid in 31 States.

What is Braille?• Braille symbols are formed within units

of space known as Braille cells.• A full Braille cell consists of six raised

dots arranged in two parallel rows each having three dots. The dot positions are identified by numbers one through six.

• Sixty-four combinations are possible using one or more of these six dots.

Grade 1 Braille and Grade 2 Braille

• When every letter of every word is expressed in Braille, it is referred to as Grade 1 Braille.

• When cells are used individually or in combination with others to form a variety of contractions or whole words, it is referred to as Grade 2 Braille.

Why Did the Braille Read Together Begin?

• The Braille Read Together began because there were kids like David, James, Marcel, Rebekah,"J.R", and Jack who needed to be included in community activities.

• The Braille Read Together began to fill a literacy void experienced by blind children and their parents.

• The Braille Read Together began to make blind children and their families feel welcome in their neighborhood library.

Braille Read Together 1998• Began with 6 children and 8 tutors.• The sessions were held bi-weekly at the

Martin Luther King Branch Library.• The tutor and the child were given the

same title, and together they read Braille.

“J.R. and David”

James, Max and Mom

Adding More Meaning to Reading Braille

The Braille Read Together Celebrates its First Birthday at the Children’s Museum

Reading Braille is Useful

Year Two…1999• Expanded members to 7 children and 8

tutors.• Sessions were held bi-weekly at the

Martin Luther King Branch Library.• The tutor and the child were given the

same title, and together they read Braille.

Now We Are Two

Going On Three, 2000• Expanded members to 11 children, still

with 8 tutors• Sessions were held bi-weekly at the

Martin Luther King Branch Library.• The tutor and the child were given the

same title, and together they read Braille.

Zoo Day A Huge Success

Another Partner for Braille Reading Added

The Third Birthday Celebration

How Libraries Can Duplicate

• Find the children.• Find the tutors.• Secure a supply of books.• Find an accessible location.• Seek community partners.

Your LBPH Could Help

• The regional or sub-regional library in your service area can help locate children and tutors, as well as provide the library with appropriate reading materials.

• An orientation specialist will help the library determine a central location which is accessible to public transportation.

Contacts• To locate a NFB chapter near the library

go to the NFB Web site at http://www.nfb.org/.

• To locate a ACB chapter near the library go to the ACB Web site at http://www.acb.org/.

• To locate a regional library for the blind go to http://www.loc.gov/nls.

Is The Effort Worth It?• Parents answer a resounding YES!• The tutors offer a resounding YES!• The staff enjoy the interactions, and I

feel it is one of the most worthwhile projects I personally have been a part of.

• The community partners are thrilled, and include our involvement in their reports to the community.