FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4 2025
Free Open‑Source Braille Dictionary for U.S. Veterans Now Available Online
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A blind U.S. Army veteran has launched a completely free, open‑source Braille dictionary and guide designed specifically for veterans who are blind or have low vision. The resource, hosted at https://brailledictionary.org, provides a printable PDF and practice worksheets covering the full Braille alphabet, numbers, common contractions, punctuation, basic math symbols, currency identification, public‑space signage, and sighted‑guide techniques.
Created while undergoing rehabilitation at the Veterans Administration Blind Rehabilitation Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, the guide also includes a directory of all VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers with direct contact numbers.
Key features of the Braille Dictionary:
* **Complete Braille alphabet & numeric notation** – cell‑number system (A = 1 … Z = 1356).
* **Contractions, punctuation, and math symbols** – (+, –, ×, ÷, =).
* **Currency symbols & folded‑money identification** – £, $, €, ¢.
* **Public‑space signage guide** – restroom signs, elevator button layouts, way‑finding symbols.
* **Sighted‑guide “how‑to” instructions** – safe‑hand techniques for partners and volunteers.
* **VA Blind Rehabilitation Center directory** – phone numbers for every U.S. center.
The project is released under a Creative Commons BY‑NC‑SA 4.0 license, allowing anyone to download, adapt (non‑commercially), and contribute improvements via GitHub pull requests. The guide is intended for immediate distribution to veterans, VA staff, veteran service organizations, and community partners.
“Accessibility should never be a barrier to literacy,” said **[Your Name]**, blind U.S. Army veteran and creator of the guide. “By making this resource free and openly editable, we empower veterans to learn Braille on their own terms and give VA staff a ready‑made tool for orientation‑and‑mobility programs.”
The Braille Dictionary is already being used by several VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers for intake packets and orientation classes. The creator welcomes collaboration with veteran service organizations, VA departments, and community groups to expand the guide’s reach and keep the content current.
**Media Contact**
Al Dunbar
Blind U.S. Army Veteran
**About BrailleDictionary.org**
BrailleDictionary.org is a volunteer‑run initiative that provides free, high‑quality Braille learning resources for blind and low‑vision individuals. All content is open‑source and maintained by a global community of contributors committed to improving accessibility for veterans and the broader visually impaired community.