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Why This Guide?

While the population who reads Braille is small, the need to still be literate and to keep learning whole enjoying reading is something that needs to be preserved. I love to read, I became Legally Blind suddenly because of a stroke that effected the optical part of my brain. I have just a slight bit of vision (less than 2% of my visual field and at 20/400 it isn’t really great), but I want others to be helped who have lost their sight to have a chance to learn.  The Braille Dictionary is licensed under the Creative Commons License – you can use the materials, but not sell them, or use them in a commercial work, and yes give credit where it is due.

What’s Inside?

	Braille Alphabet This page has the Braille Alphabet, Numbers (Over the corresponding letters and a Key showing what a Braille cell looks like. Starting from the Left side – Top to Bottom we have cells 1,2 and 3 – On the Right side we have cells 4 (Top), 5 and 6. The numbers under the letters represents the cells. “A” is the number 1, while “T” is 2345. This makes it easy to figure out.
	Practice Pages This page is designed for Low-Vision or sighted students to practice their Braille skills. There are three pages included in the Braille Dictionary but you can make as many as you wish.
	Braille Dictionary Pages The Braille Dictionary is done alphabetically (A-Z) in UEB (Unified English Braille). The English words are on the Right Hand column, Then the Braille Level 2 word for it. Next column is the cell numbers used. The Last column on the right is they type of word. These are color coded for easy deciphering  by someone who is Low-vision or sighted (such as a teacher). There are also sections on: Braille Punctuation, Braille Math Symbols, and Braille Currency Symbols.
	Some of the short Form words in Level 2 Braille use parts of words plus letters. The individual letters are in Light Blue, the word parts are shown in Neon Pink. So “hers” in Level 2 braille is “H+ER+S“.
	Braille Restroom Signs Some of the most common restroom signs and the Braille that goes along with them.
	Braille Elevator Buttons Some of the most common elevator buttons (open, close, alarm, etc). This gives a picture of the button and Braille, English Word, Braille, Cell numbers, and The Dot numbers.
	Folding Money United States Currency is difficult for someone who is totally blind. It is the same shape and texture for all of the bills. Folding it is an easy Low-Tech solution to this problem. From $1 to $20 are shown.
	Guiding the blind Many people want to help but are unsure of how to do it properly. This is a good guide for a sighted helper, so they can help guide you safely and effectively. You can show this to a sighted person and they will learn how.
	List of VA BRCs Where to get help. All of the VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers are included: Name of the facility, address, and phone numbers are included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get a Tactile Braille Version?

The first milestone of the Braille Dictionary Project was to get an accurate and checked version of the existing document that I put together for myself. The “Visual Printed” portion is completed and ready for review. I am sending it out to the various Veteran’s Administration Blind Rehabilitation Centers and I am looking forward to getting feedback from them and the Veteran’s themselves. The next step is to create a Braille overlay so that it is also tactile for Braille. This can be printed separately or “on top” of the printed visual. I am currently working on this. Then, the third step is to get grants to get the Dictionary, with additions and corrections printed and distributed.

How often is the guide updated?

Minor changes can be submitted through our GitHub pages. The next milestone is version 1.6. This will include the tactile Braille overlay. Other “bug fixes” will be included. Throughout this process the VA’s BRC (Staff and Students) will be consulted to make this publication useful and meaningful.

Is it really FREE?

Yes. You are free to copy, distribute and use the Braille dictionary in accordance with the Creative Commons License. Note: This is still a Beta Release.