Integrating Print and Braille:
A Recipe for Literacy

Editor: Sharon Maneki

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface

1. Literacy and the Decision to Integrate Print and Braille

• Literacy
• Making the Decision to Integrate Print and Braille
• Evidence-Based Research: The Impact of Braille on Future Employment
• Observations from Life Experience: My Braille Story—A Promising Beginning, a Muddled Middle, and a Happy Ending
• Barriers to Deciding on Dual Media
• A Situation to Ponder: Sam
• If the Student Needs Reading Remediation
• Observations from Life Experience: Print or Braille? I Use Both!
• Keepsakes

2. Attitudes: An Essential Ingredient

• Developing Competence and Confidence
• Evidence-Based Research: Long-Range Results of Attitudes
• Approaches to Changing Attitudes
• A Parent’s Perspective: Why Megan Is Learning Braille
• Shaping Student Attitudes
• From the Desk of a TBS: The TBS—A Leader in Developing Positive Attitudes
• Tips for Winning Over the Reluctant or Resistant Student
• Situations to Ponder: Bill, Even, and Michelle
• IEP Goals and Objectives for the Dual Reader: Attitudes
• Observations from Life Experience: In Praise of a Teacher—Thank You, Mrs. McGee
• Keepsakes

3. Enhancing Vision Through Touch

• The Importance of Touch
• Situations to Ponder: Allison, Tiffany, and Mark
• The Parent Perspective: Use Your Hands, Mom, Use Your Hands!
• Developing Tactile Skills
• From the Desk of a TBS: Activities to Enhance Touch
• Goals and Objectives for the Dual Reader: Enhancing Tactile Skills
• Observations from Life Experience: Teaching Exploration—Correcting a Glaring Flaw in the Education of Blind Children
• Keepsakes

4. Creating the Dual Media Integration Plan

• Directions for Creating the Dual Media Integration Plan
• A Situation to Ponder: Jordan
• Goals and Objectives for the Dual Reader: Integrating Print and Braille
• Observations from Life Experience: We Have a Choice
• Keepsakes

5. Read, Read, Read—There Is No Substitute

• Evidence-Based Research: Assessing Reading Fluency
• Evidence-Based Research: Early Braille Education Vital in Establishing Lifelong Literacy
• The Parent Perspective: Achieving Fluency in Braille through Immersion
• Situations to Ponder: Mark and Jake
• Reading Speed Targets
• From the Desk of a TBS: Tips for Increasing Braille Reading Speed
• IEP Goals and Objectives for the Dual Reader: Reading
• Observations from Life Experience: Blind Mentors—A Hidden Resource
• Keepsakes

Conclusion
References
Braille Book Resources