Enriching Your Blind Child's Life via Foreign Language Braille:

This article is intended to serve as a starting point for families interested in providing their blind children with foreign language braille. The topic is covered from a parents perspective. Practical suggestions and considerations for encouraging foreign language braille literacy are discussed. Concrete resources are presented.While written from the point of view of an immigrant family living in United States, the concepts presented in this article can be adapted to anyone in a similar situation who wishes to bring foreign language braille into the life of their child or student.(Best viewed with Safari or Google Chrome; Firefox may cut off the bottom portion of the article where resources are listed, & the full width of the text is not always viewable with Internet Explorer.) ------------------------------------------

Introduction

Families that immigrate to the United States of America or other countries struggle with how to both effectively integrate into the fabric of their new home's society and yet still try to maintain cultural ties with their countries of origin. Many second generation Americans likewise feel this strong ethnic bond which they too want to pass down to their children. It is well recognized that preservation of language of origin through successive generations is particularly challenging. Consider the following: according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau data, a language other than English is spoken in approximately 14 million U.S. households (http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/censusandstatistics/a/lingiso.htm). In fact, based again on recent U.S. Census data, nearly one out of every five children nationally enters school speaking a language other than English. In some regions of the country, such as California, more than one language is spoken in 40%-50% of households. In light of these staggering numbers, it is amazing that there is virtually no information on how blindness issues factor into the equation of raising a child in a multi-lingual household setting.

Indeed, little information exists to guide parents of blind children on how to seek out and identify the necessary resources to allow them to make their cultural heritage more tangible for their children. It seems natural for parents to first turn to their child's braille teacher (Teacher of the Visually Impaired [TVI]) for advice on how to access foreign language braille and how to find other foreign language materials for their child. Unfortunately the topic of foreign language braille is not given much emphasis in most TVI training programs. Some TVIs and transcribers provide braille Spanish, French, or other foreign language class materials for students mainstreamed in a regular English-speaking public school settings, but yet they have limited experience or insight into what to advise parents who want to expose their infants, toddlers, and grade-school aged children to the "foreign" language of their ethnic roots. Furthermore a significant number of children attend foreign language classes on the weekends. My children attend Lithuanian Saturday school and we have friends whose children attend Chinese, Italian, Latvian, or Hebrew classes. How do blind children get access to braille and modified materials for such "extracurricular" programs?

Picture of the Lithuanian Braille Alphabet and Petras in Dressed in a Lithuanian Costume

This article stems from a presentation I gave at a Braille Symposium co-sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of California and the Braille Institute of America that took place in Los Angeles in the Fall of 2004. Part of the symposium's focus was on early childhood braille literacy. I was invited to comment on foreign language braille from a parent's perspective since our children use Lithuanian braille. To make the presentation more meaningful, I decided to elaborate on how families might approach exposing their children early on to foreign language braille. As Spanish is by far the most common locally spoken foreign language, I chose to use Spanish as my primary example. I made phone calls, sent around emails to parents and professionals in a variety of organizations, surfed the web a bit and came up with concrete and practical suggestions, as well as a variety of resources to explore. The subsequent interest and feedback inspired me to expand beyond the original resources and to formally write down what I have learned.

I am excited about the launch of the Google Knol Website, for one of my biggest concerns about publishing an article on this topic in a traditional format was that the information would quickly become outdated, for new resources continue to emerge and importantly web-based resources, internet addresses, links and phone numbers are not static, but rather evolve over time. The Knol interface should ideally allow for information to be periodically updated and expanded upon. Please feel free to share your insights to make this a more complete and functional resource for parents and educators - and most importantly - our children.

This article is by no means intended to be "the definitive" resource, but rather a starting point or launching pad for those families interested in getting started. I thus encourage you to explore beyond the resources I present here and have fun in the process!

Disclaimer: This article does not cover foreign language braille formatting -> I leave that to the braille professionals.

Setting the Stage: Cultivating Young Braille Reading Enthusiasts

(Graphic: Pictures DrV reading a brailled picture book to his then infant son, Vejas and of 3.5 year old preschooler Petras disguised as Peter Pan enjoying a braille story book in preschool.)

Getting Started with Braille

As it may not be inherently obvious, it is important for parents to understand that parents do not need to be able read braille by touch, but rather they can function perfectly well by learning to recognize the braille dot letter configurations by sight - that is what most sighted braille teachers do.

Foreign Language Braille: It is So Easy, Even a Child Can Learn It!

A few words of encouragement for parents who are anxious; just remember that braille is so easy that even a child can learn it! In fact, blind and visually impaired children as young as 2 or 3 years of age can learn all the letters in the alphabet, just as sighted children master the print counterpart.

The braille used by most languages based on the Latin alphabet tends to be based on the same braille letter format as in English (ie: a Spanish or German braille "a" is the same as an English braille "a" and a Spanish or German braille "t" is the same as an English braille "t"). The unique letter characters of the various languages have special 6 dot braille designations. Thus, for the most part, learning foreign language braille is really not that hard. I suggest you make it easy for yourself. Make a reference "cheat sheet" that you can carry around - don't be embarrassed - a lot of the TVI's use them, so why shouldn't you?

Learning the contractions is a more daunting task, but is not really necessary for beginners interested in foreign language braille, as many foreign languages use grade I braille. For those individuals desiring more complete, yet succinct, English language reference sheets with punctuation and contractions you can contact the NBP (National Braille Press), or go to the DOTS FOR FAMILIES website and download the following reference guides to see which makes the most sense to you: http://uacoe.arizona.edu/viliteracy/Braille_Lessons/English%20Braille%20SymbolsNBP.pdf, Braille Reference Sheet By Raquel Feeney, or download your desired braille chart from www.duxburysystems.com/braillechart.asp.

Grade II braille contractions are based on common groupings of letters in a given language, thus grade II contractions are different for different languages. In fact, the grade II French contractions used in France differ from those used in French Canadian. Spanish-speaking countries that that use grade II braille also vary in their contractions.

Locating the Braille Alphabet of Your Language of Interest

Nowadays an internet search is likely to lead you to websites that discuss the foreign language braille alphabet of your choice, not to mention other potentially interesting information that might be useful.

Wikipedia, the world wide web-based free multilingual encyclopedia, is a great resource that has an increasing number of foreign language braille alphabets. If you go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braille and scroll down the page a bit, you will notice a long list of languages to choose from in the left column. Click on any of the languages in the list to see the webpage in that language that discusses and depicts the basic braille code specific to that language.

Thus, in many cases parents now have the opportunity to read the braille information in their native language!

Parents should also check out the foreign language versions of the wikipedia website (http://wikipedia.org). The multitude of wikipedia language versions can be accessed by clicking of the link to the language of your choice via this webpage. You may need to scroll down the page to find less common languages or those that don't have as many wikipedia entries.

In 1990 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in conjunction with the United States National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped / Library of Congress published a document entitled "World Braille Usage" (http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0008/000872/087242eb.pdf). This publication contains the basic braille codes used in many countries around the world. The document sites many braille codebooks/manuals from around the world in Appendix 3. Various organizations serving the blind are listed by country in Appendix 2. Note: While the contact information may have changed, the listings could never-the-less serve as potentially useful leads to pursue. Via several inquiries, it is my understanding that there are no current plans to update this document.

The Braille Authority of North America (BANA; www.brailleauthority.org) is actively in the process of revising their foreign language rules (personal communication). Hopefully, once adopted, these will be made readily available to the public in a web-accessible format.

A few specific websites that discuss Spanish braille basics include: www.fbu.edu.uy/informacion/alfabeto/alfabeto2.htm, www.fbu.edu.uy/informacion/alfabeto/alfabeto3.htm, www.fbu.edu.uy/informacion/alfabeto/alfabeto6.htm, www.puc.cl/toquemagico/html/braille.pdf, and http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braille_(lectura). In addition, Spain's blindness organization ONCE, offers a web-based, self-paced course (in Spanish) for sighted Spanish-speaking individuals who want to learn braille called "Curso Bsico de Autoaprendizaje del Braille". To begin the program go to www.once.es/otros/cursobraille, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "COMENZAR CURSO" link.

You may also want to try connecting with regional or country-specific contacts via the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI; www.icevi.org) or World Blind Union (WBU; www.worldblindunion.org) websites. Tiresias (www.tiresias.org/archive/agencies), the United Kingdom's RNIB (The Royal National Institute of Blind People) Scientific Research Unit's website, maintains a list of agencies serving blind and partially sighted people sorted by country. Mobility International USA maintains an international resource database (MIUSA; www.miusa.org/orgsearch). To locate resources for the blind in a specific country on this search webpage, select the desired country and select "blind" under the "disability tab" and then click of the "Submit Query" button.

Another option is to try to email or send a letter to the braille library in the desired county, or have a local friend or relative there make an inquiry on your behalf.

"Top 11 Reasons for Parents to Learn Braille"

A number of years back I was asked to share my parent's perspective on the value of braille literacy. I compiled a list of 10 compelling reasons why parents should learn braille and presented them in a "David Letterman-esque" fashion (from: Braille Literacy -- It's A Family Value).

10) So you can read along with your children

9) Because it sends a powerful message to your child that you are interested in what they are doing and in their success

8) Because it gives you more validity as a parent when interacting with the educational system

7) So you can help with homework

6) So you can pick up transcription errors ("braillo's")

5) Because it is a powerful bonding experience

4) So you can understand the personalized thank-you note that Santa brailled for your child for the milk and cookies he/she left for him on Christmas Eve

3) So you can leave notes and "secret messages" for your kids

But the bottom line is: why not?

2) It's so easy even a child can learn it!

1) It's so easy a parent can learn it in a few hours! (What, you say? I'm 100% serious and elaborate in the next section)

To this, I would now add an 11th Reason: Learning braille is the foundation for parents who wish to provide foreign language braille to their children early on.

Braille Workshops for Parents

Some schools or VI programs offer workshops to teach parents braille. In California, an increasing number of these are conducted in Spanish. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend participating in an NFB Braille is Beautiful: Beginning Braille for Parents Workshop (www.nfbcal.org/nfbc/journalss2003/brailleisbeautiful.html). These are now offered in Spanish as well as in English. In October of 2003, I attended a NFB-sponsored Braille is Beautiful: Beginning Braille for Parents Workshop during the NFB of California's State Convention. Amazing as it may seem, I watched a room full of parents literally learn the basics of braille in under 4 hours! Not only did everyone leave knowing the braille alphabet, but each parent was able to braille a secret message to their child using a slate and stylus! Quite honestly, participating in that workshop was one of the more moving and empowering experiences of my life!

Fun-Based Learning: Early Foreign Language Braille Exposure via Toys

My wife Rasa is an occupational therapist and has been a genius at creatively modifying and adapting toys, projects, and worksheets to make them accessible. To give your toddler or preschooler a playful head start on the braille alphabet, QWERTY keyboard layout, and time/clock concepts, you can buy popular electronic toys and simply add your own braille letter labels to them to make them accessible. Such toys are available not only in English, but in a variety of foreign language versions as well. We once even stumbled upon a French version of our children's favorite Apple Alphabet toy at our local children's resale shop.

(Graphic: Pictures Spanish or bilingual toys, including a braille-label adapted Biligual Power Laptop, are can easily be made accessible with adhesive braille labels.)

Check out the following alphabet, number, clock, and/or QWERTY keyboard layout toys which are available at www.spanishtoy.com: Spanish Baby Smartronic Speak & Teach Phone, Vtech Alfabeto Manzanitas Spanish Alphabet Toy, and Aprendo el Alfabeto: Spanish Alphabet Learning Toy. Some more bilingual Spanish toys are available at www.sb-kids.com including Chatterbox Teaching Telephone, PC Schoolhouse, and Telly the Bilingual Teaching Time Clock. My son Petras enjoys his Kool Toyz Bilingual Power Laptop which is available at www.target.com and www.amazon.com. Don't stop with these websites, rather explore a toy store or toy section or perform an internet search (for sighted individuals an image search will allow to quickly scan options) or go to eBay and search the term "braille" for ready-to-purchase modified toy options or ideas.

It is really incredibly easy to make toys accessible by simply adding braille letter/number labels to the flat buttons. Personal observation: you want to make sure to put the braille label ON the actual button, not above, below or next to it - many kids are not interested in what is above or below the button - they want the auditory feedback. I suggest using transparent braille label so the sighted siblings, friends, and classmates can still fully enjoy the toys as well. (Some braille label sources are listed at the end of this document.)

My eldest son Vejas actually learned the English braille alphabet first off the electronic toys his mother braille-labeled and he mastered the QWERTY keyboard layout by playing with "laptop toys" before he ever really used a real computer keyboard.

There are also a variety of Spanish electronic alphabet books to choose from, including Libro de Alfabeto Parlante from www.toyslandia.com that can be easily made accessible simply by placing the appropriate braille-label letter on the button.

Specific Spanish Language Resources for Parents & Educators

National Braille Press (NBP)

The National Braille Press (www.nbp.org) offers a children's braille literacy program called the "ReadBooks! Because Braille Matters Program" (www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/readbooks), which is designed to encourage families with blind children to read print/braille books together. Books are available in English or Spanish. Teachers and parents can order a Braille Book Bag for their student/child if they have not received one before by filling out the contact form on the NBP website or by calling (888)-965-8965 ext. 34. Each bag contains: an age-appropriate print/braille book for one of 3 age groups, birth to 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 7; a braille primer for sighted parents entitled "Just Enough to Know Better"; a colorful print/braille place mat; print/braille bookmarks; a gift coupon redeemable for another print/braille book or

(Graphic: Picture of "Porque Los Libros Si Que Importan" and NBP's Spanish Braille Alphabet Card.)

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

(Graphic: Picture of the "Conectando los Puntos" packet and of the included Spanish Braille Alphabet Card.)

Seedlings

Seedlings (www.seedlings.org) is a nonprofit organization that offers a broad and expanding selection of braille and print/braille book options for children. They currently offer eight braille bilingual (English and Spanish) preschool books: "Let's Play--Vamos A Jugar, " "Mi Amor Por Ti--My Love for You, " "Colors--Mis Colores, " "My Food-Mi Comida, " "The Baby Chicks are Singing-Los Pollitos Dicen, " "My Clothes-Mi Ropa, " "My Numbers-Mis Numeros, " and "Toca Y Apprende Mascotas-Touch and Feel Pets." These are available at a nominal cost, similar to the list price at a typical bookstore.

Sign your child up for Seedling's "Angel Program." Each week several children are randomly selected to win two free braille books from their "wish list." To register and to note your child's "wish list" selections fill out the form at www.seedlings.org/bkangel2009.php or call Seedlings at 800-777-8552.

Bookshare

Bookshare.org (www.bookshare.org) now offers over 5300 e-books for children! The number of books for young children and teens increases weekly! A recent search under the "Spanish language" option revealed over 1100 Spanish titles. To search for Spanish children's books, go to the "Advanced Search" page and select language "Spanish" and then check off "Children". There are at least 60 titles. They offer Clifford stories, "Good Night Moon", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and even the entire Harry Potter series in Spanish! Hopefully at some point they will offer selections in many other languages as well. Due to copywrite and other Bookshare.org access is currently available for free to all students 26 years old and under living in the United States and to their TVIs.

(Graphic: Picture illustrating how to search for Spanish language children's books on Bookshare's "Advanced Search" webpage page.)

These e-books can be made accessible to children a variety of ways. They can be 1) downloaded and embossed using a braille translation program such as Duxbury or 2) downloaded and transferred as braille files to a BrailleNote or similar electronic note taker or 3) you can see if your braille teacher or VI program would be willing to emboss them into paper braille books or 4) you can follow the webpage instructions to order a braille copy from the Braille Institute.

Of note: Bookshare members of any age who would like for a specific book (English or Spanish) to be brailled can submit their special request for the desired book(s) to be added to Bookshare's WishList by contacting them via this link: www.bookshare.org/about/findBooks#RequestaBook. My children have both happily taken advantage of this amazing new feature.

Current copyright laws place limitations on how books can be shared, however increasing number of books are now available to qualifying individuals who live outside of the United States. These are books in the Public Domain and thus no longer covered by copyright (most written before 1925) and books that the publisher or author has specifically granted Bookshare.org permission to distribute outside of the United States. To learn more about International Membership go to www.bookshare.org/about/internationalMembership.

WebBraille & The National Library Services (NLS)

The National Library Services (NLS) website WebBraille (www.loc.gov/nls/braille) has over 800 braille books in Spanish and over 2100 Spanish recorded books.

(Graphic: Picture illustrating how to search for Spanish titles on NLS's WebBraille online catalog search webpage page.)

The NLS now also supports a children's catalog search portal called NLS Kids Zone www.loc.gov/nls/children/index.html). To search the children's website for Spanish childrens books, click on the "Kids Catalog" link and type "spanish language" in the keyword search box. As of December of 2008 I found over 100 Spanish children's audio titles and 33 braille book titles. While none of these are yet downloadable files, they are readily available by requesting them through one's regional Braille Library to be delivered to your child's/student's home.

(Graphic: Pictures illustrating how to search for Spanish children's titles on NLS's Kids Zone search webpage page.)

The Foreign Language Librarian of the NLS developed a Foreign Language Materials webpage with links to foreign language resources (www.loc.gov/nls/foreignlanguage/index.html).

Regional Braille Libraries

Contact Your Local/Regional Braille Library for a list of available Spanish children's materials. I contacted our local NLS branch, the Braille Institute in Los Angeles. One of the Braille Institute's librarians informed me that beyond what is available on WebBraille, they had access to 627 Spanish language braille titles for children and youth via the Braille Institute Library Services and through other National Library Services (NLS) network libraries and cooperating agencies via interlibrary loan. Young children's titles included "Spot va a una fiesta" (Spot Goes to a Party) and "La Primera Navidad De Clifford" (Clifford's first Christmas). (Note: In a personal communication, a staff member of the Braille Institute expressed interest in finding volunteers to input the text from Spanish language children's books in into WORD documents [after doing a thorough spellcheck] so that the my volunteer transcribers could then format and transcribe the books to provide Spanish-speaking children a wider selection of age-appropriate braille books to enjoy J.)

State Libraries

Your State Library may have some age-appropriate books in Spanish. The California State Library has a growing searchable Braille and Talking Book Catalog (www.btbl.library.ca.gov/klasweb), which contains Spanish talking book recordings including several young children's favorite stories including, "Jorge el Curioso" (Curious George) and Beverly Cleary's "Romona" series audiobooks. You can either try searching the web-based catalog, give them a call, or email them. To identify children/youth selections, go to the basic search page above and type "juvenile" in the search field and select "Spanish" from the "Language Menu". A recent search using those parameters and the default "All Media" option yielded over 60 Spanish youth titles.

(Graphic: Picture illustrating how to search for Spanish language youth titles on the California State Library's search webpage page.)

The Biblioteca Regional para Ciegos y Fsicamente Impedidos de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) is part of the NLS system and therefore it will lend books to anyone who is a customer of any of the NLS system libraries. I have not contacted them directly, but I suspect they have children's books. To pursue this lead, surf over to their website (www.bibliotecaregionalparaciegos.com) or send an inquiry to bibciego@tld.net.

State Schools for the Blind

Contact your School for the Blind library to see if they have foreign language materials that your child/student could borrow. The California School for the Blind (www.csb-cde.ca.gov) library now has an online library catalog (www.lib.csb-cde.ca.gov/opac/csftb/). A keyword search of the term "Spanish" revealed multiple and braille and audio-books that sound like they would be interesting for a Spanish-speaking youngster.

ONCE

Another organization with vast resources is ONCE, the Spanish National Organization for the Blind (Organizacin Nacional de Ciegos de Espaa; www.once.es). ONCE's mission is to improve the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired throughout Spain. While to join ONCE one must be a Spanish national, ONCE provides resources that many Spanish-speaking individuals can still benefit from such as the information available through the Centre for Research, Development and Application Tiflotcnica (Centro de Investigacin, Desarrollo y Aplicacin Tiflotcnica [CIDAT]; http://cidat.once.es) website which has a broad range useful blindness- and low vision-related information, including household, sports and technology products and information.

The website of El Servicio Bibliogrfico de la ONCE (SBO) (http://sbo.once.es) has a link that provides an opportunity to enter the Digital Library ONCE, a password protected website that houses electronic materials in braille and Daisy format. Just like our own NLS, the Bibliographic Services of the ONCE offers several children's magazines that are available in embossed braille and/or electronic format (http://sbo.once.es/home.cfm?id=9&sRevista=Ocio%20y%20cultura), including Trasto which is reportedly known as "la revista ms divertida de la ONCE", which roughly translates to "ONCE's most funny magazine." Trasto is targeted for children between 8 and 12 years of age and contains stories, poems, and other entertaining content. It is published monthly in braille format and is also downloadable in electronic format.

ONCE transcribes textbooks and other educational materials and provides these for free to students in Spain. I have been told that ONCE also sells any of the books that appear in their catalogues (http://sbo.once.es/home.cfm?id=2&nivel=1) to anyone interested in purchasing them and that their Spanish braille children's and youth books are reasonably priced. The department to contact is: Atencin al Usuario either in Madrid or Barcelona. Their e-mail is: sbomadriddau@once.es for Madrid and sbobarcelonadau@once.es for Barcelona or you can also call: 902 11 22 92 to order desired books. Remember that from the US you need to first dial the international access code "011" the Spanish country code "34" then the number.

The International Federation of Library Associations

The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA: http://ifla.jsrpd.jp) provides information about libraries and institutions for the blind throughout the world. Their Advanced Search Form allows you to search for braille and talking book offerings. The IFLA website suggests that the electronic text and sound recording listings in the directory can be borrowed via an exchange mechanism by submitting requests via the local libraries or institutions that are registered in the directory.

The Argentine Library for the Blind

The Argentine Library for the Blind (Biblioteca Argentina Para Ciegos: www.bac.org.ar) has braille books for children and youth (www.bac.org.ar/servicios/braille/index.php?genero=LITERATURA+INFANTIL). Braille books are not available for electronic download at this time.

Tiflolibros

Tiflolibros (www.tiflolibros.com.ar) is a non-profit organization based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that maintains an expanding digital library for blind and visually impaired Spanish speakers. Tiflolibros offers an online catalog with more than 20, 000 digital audio-books that registered members can download using their personal password. The audiobooks may be read on computers and other electronic reading devices. While Spanish is the official language of Tiflolibros, they also offer books in foreign (non-Spanish) languages. Tiflolibros has more than 3, 000 subscribers in over 40 countries, including the US. This digital library is open to any visually impaired person living anywhere in the world, as well as institutions that digitally produce material for the blind or that want to make books available for the visually impaired. While membership is free a donation is encouraged to support the library's operation. To initiate the registration process send a mail to: tiflolibros@tiflolibros.com.ar.

Project Gutenberg

Those with older children or teenagers may consider searching Project Gutenberg's foreign language e-text and audio options which can be downloaded for free from their website (www.gutenberg.org).

Librivox

You may also want to check out the Librivox website (www.librivox.org) where audiobooks of texts in the public domain can be downloaded for free. In addition to English, books are available in a variety of languages including Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. Librivox has a mechanism to help locate volunteer to record special requests in the desired native language.

American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

APH's Louis Database is a searchable database of accessible materials that contains location information for over 170, 000 titles in braille, large print, sound recording, and downloadable electronic files from over 170 agencies throughout the United States and Canada.

To search Louis for foreign language reading materials select the "Search for Textbooks, Recreational Reading, and Downloadable Files" link, then on once on the "Book and File Repository Search Page" (the words "Spanish language" or "Japanese language" etc.) in the "Search for" field, then click on the search tab and scroll through the options.

(Graphic: Picture illustrating how to search for Spanish language material on APH's 's Louis Database.)

If a book does not exist already, then one can use APH's Accessible Media Producers Database (www.aph.org/ampdb.htm) to search for people or companies who can produce accessible formats in variety of languages.

Mobility International USA

According to the Mobility International USA (MIUSA) website a National Survey on Student Engagement in 2006 found that 46% of blind or visually impaired students complete foreign language courses by their spring semester of their senior year in college (www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets/foreignlanguageandblind/infoguide/introduction).

MIUSA (www.miusa.org) is a non-profit organization founded with a goal of "Empowering people with disabilities around the world to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development." The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE; www.miusa.org/ncde), which is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and administered by MIUSA, encourages individuals who are blind or visually impaired to learn a foreign language and facilitates international travel opportunities.

MIUSA/NCDE published a great foreign language resource guide entitled: "Accessing Foreign Language Materials as a Blind or Low Vision Student: An Informational Guide on Arranging for Assistive Technology, Accessible Formats and Services in the Foreign Language Course" with specific emphasis on Arabic, Chinese, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese, Korean, Persian/Farsi, Russian and Turkish By Michele Scheib" which can by downloaded in several formats for free or accessed at www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets/foreignlanguageandblind/languageguide.

In addition, the MIUSA/NCDE website has a variety of useful links for older students and teachers to explore (www.miusa.org/ncde/spotlight/foreignlanguage).

I Too Have a Dream

Hopefully WebBraille and/or Bookshare will not only expand to include additional language offerings (perhaps even Lithuanian), but that they will eventually find a way to easily and conveniently share/exchange with electronic libraries in other countries, such as with Spain's Digital Library ONCE and others, so that blind children, youth, and adults in the US and all over the world can eventually also tap into those rich and vast existing braille resources.

For the Really Motivated

You could look into private-agencies or Government organizations, including national braille libraries, in countries that speak Spanish (or your desired language) and see if their braille lending libraries are willing to serve foreigners (foreigners would in this case be those of us that live in the US). You might also try to find your child a similar-aged pen-(braille)-pal who uses the desired language.

Foreign Language Braille in the Digital Age: Welcome to the 21St Century!

Fun Print to Braille Translation Websites

Kids may enjoy the Fundacion Braille del Uruguay's fun Spanish print to Spanish Braille translation website called "Alfabeto braille en lnea" (www.fbu.edu.uy/alfabeto/alfabeto-online.htm).

(Graphic: Picture of the mentioned Spanish print to Spanish braille translation webpage.)

There is also an English-language Arthur series character-based English print to English braille translation website: http://pbskids.org/arthur/print/braille and an AFB Braille Bug secret message site: www.afb.org/braillebug/emailmessage.asp.

(Graphic: Pictures of the mentioned Arthur series English print to English braille translation webpage & of the Braille Bug Secret Message webpage.)

Foreign Language on a Braille Notetaker or Computer

The foreign language speech synthesizing programs that run on the BrailleNote and the PacMate, as well as the computer screen-reading programs JAWS, Connect Outloud, Dolphin Pen, Hal, and Window-Eyes have multi-language capabilities. In some cases the multi-lingual features come with the base software, in other cases language packages need to be purchased separately, so it is best to make sure prior to purchasing these.

Please note that electronic braille notetakers will display appropriately-generated foreign language braille so that the text can be tactilely read off the unit's refreshable braille display, but may not read aloud the foreign language text coherently or with proper pronunciation without a software program designed for the desired language. Since there is as of yet no Lithuanian language package for the BrailleNote, when reading Lithuanian documents my kids just turn off the sound to avoid what otherwise sounds like complete gibberish. The BrailleNote will display Spanish letters in standard WORD documents appropriately on its refreshable braille display.

Interactive Electronic Text Games

Text games can be a fun way to encourage and motivate youngsters to work on their braille reading and writing skill proficiency. A variety of electronic interactive text adventure games can be played on electronic braille notetakers. Players read directions and the game text on the braille notetaker's refreshable braille display and then type their actions/responses on the notetaker's keyboard. There is an additional motivational factor of time in some games. Many such accessible text games can be downloaded from websites including "Interactive Fiction Archive" (http://ifarchive.org), "Baf's Guide to the IF Archive" (http://wurb.com/if/game), and others. While many of these games are older, some dating back to the 70's and 80's, they can be entertaining and quite challenging; children, tweens, teens and even adults enjoy them, just as their sighted peers enjoy video games. Most games appear to be in English, but exploration of the websites reveals quite a few Spanish language gaming options and, though one may need to search, there are listings for text games in other languages as well. The format that I know works on the BrailleNote is termed "Z-code" and these files end with the extension ".z5".

Caution: Here is some good old-fashioned fatherly advice: Such web archives contain good and bad games, and not all work well due to coding flaws/bugs. Importantly, adult-oriented material can be scattered through the archives and foul language is sometimes included in some of the more innocent-sounding games. When available, it is advisable to read the game reviews, and if possible try games that have been screened by individuals whose judgment you trust.

Handy Foreign Language Computer Keyboard & Toolbar

To facilitate access to your desired language, use the foreign language keyboard and toolbar capabilities that are built into Windows XP and Vista. Add an easily accessible language bar to the Taskbar to your computer's desktop. To do this in Windows XP go to the start menu and scroll down to settings and open up the control panel and open up the "Regional and Language Options" icon. Click on the "Languages" tab - then to view language options click on the "details" button. You should now be looking at the "settings" tab and the Default input language displayed should read "English (United States) - US". At the bottom under preferences click on the "Language Bar" button. Check the boxes "Show the language bar on the desktop" and "show additional Language bar icons in the taskbar" - then click "OK". Now click on the "Add" button. Scroll down until you find the desired second or third language (Note that for some languages like Spanish, German, French and others you need to make sure you specify which country or region you want to use.) Select and then click on the "OK" button. Click on "Apply" and then "OK" to exit the various boxes. You will likely need to reboot to make sure all the settings are fully applied.

(An aside: The young man pictured on my computer desktop is my son Vejas surfing at 8 years of age.)

There are 2 quick and easy ways to switch between the language keyboards you have now installed. Sighted parents and teachers can look on the right side of the desktop taskbar, you will see and "EN" (this stands for English). When you click on this the language option(s) you chose to install will appear in the drop down menu. Click on the one you want and you keyboard is reset to type in that language. Blind users can easily cycle through the installed language keyboard layouts by holding down left Alt key and pressing the Shift key (I actually find this keyboard command option faster than the point and click method).

For Lithuanian, all standard letters are the same as those labeled on the letter portion of the keyboard. The special letter characters are typed by hitting the appropriate number on the top row (to type numbers, you have to switch back to English mode). To make it easier for me, I have attached a transparent braille label Lithuanian braille letter to each number key that has a corresponding Lithuanian letter. While all this sounds somewhat complicated, it is actually quite simple and convenient once you start working with it. By going similar steps through the control panel in Windows Vista, one can similarly set up foreign language keyboarding features.

** Through the NBP author Anna Dresner recently published a great foreign language computer resource entitled "It's Not On the Keyboard: Typing Special Characters and Foreign Languages in Word" which covers many of the "how to" aspects of non-visual access to computer-related foreign language issues, including how to type in a language that uses many symbols that aren't on the standard keyboard or are in a completely different alphabet, how to install or change the keyboard layout to meet individualized foreign language needs, how to get screen reader to speak the language being typed, how to read a language on a braille display, and how to spell check and grammar check in foreign languages.

Foreign Language Braille Translation Programs

Explore electronic foreign language braille translation programs: take advantage of the marvels of the 21st century. The most versatile braille conversion program is the Duxbury Braille Translator which supports over 120 languages (www.duxburysystems.com/nations.asp). For basic translation that a parent would typically use, the Duxbury program is very user-friendly and fairly intuitive. I suspect most parents can be "up and running" with Duxbury with minimal instruction. MegaDots, Braille 2000, and WinBraille support a smaller number of non-English languages.

(Graphic: Picture of some of the language options offered by the Duxbury braille conversion program.)

Beware of Funky Fonts & Other Quirks

While the text from many foreign language websites can be simply copied and pasted or imported into a translation program for quick and easy conversion into braille, it is not always so straightforward. Sometimes what looks like a unique foreign language print letter on a webpage is actually a symbol font character that to the sighted reader looks like the foreign language letter. These are readily obvious once imported into Duxbury, but depending on the number of such "symbol insertions", the process of editing the symbols ranges from simple to painstaking at times.

Sometimes when text is simply copied from an internet page and pasted into a WORD document, the information is not accessible on a BrailleNote. There are several ways to get around this problem. A simple step is select all the text in the document (CTRL+A) and select "Clear Formatting" from the Formatting Toolbar. I have however found that by far the most effective way to strip away interfering formatting is to paste the text first into a Duxbury print document - that works almost every time! Then the text can either be converted to a ".brf" file or copied and pasted back into a WORD document.

Scanning of Foreign Language Text

Scanning of foreign language text to e-text is now possible via a variety of optical character recognition (OCR) software programs. Scanned text can then be converted to braille via one of the braille translation programs. Kurzweil 1000 and OmniPage Professional both recognize over 100 languages and OmniPage Professional even includes basic spell-checking functions for some languages. OpenBook is released in 10 languages. While the English version of OpenBook ships with speech synthesis in English, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, and Finnish, additional languages are available. OpenBook's OCR recognizes 33 languages, though other languages can be recognized by performing custom installations.

(Graphic: The process of scanning, editing, and converting foreign language text to braille is illustrated below.)

The Number and Spectrum of Foreign Language Webpages Increases Daily

An increasing number of special interest websites are "foreign language friendly".

Blind sports-orientated websites frequently have a more global audience and many are entirely or in part multi-lingual. For example the ISBF (International Blind Sports Federation) website can be accessed in English (www.ibsa.es/eng) or Spanish (www.ibsa.es/esp). Goalball enthusiasts can surf over to www.goalballnetwork.com to download official goalball rules in a variety of languages including Lithuanian, Portuguese, Spanish, Hungarian, Italian, Turkish, Finnish, French, Hebrew and others.

Foreign language Knols (http://knol.google.com/k/knol#) are also an emerging foreign language resource.

The NFB sponsors a Spanish-speakers-oriented list-serve called Nfbespanol-talk (www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbespanol-talk) that provides as a web-based forum to discuss blindness-related issues in Spanish. The NFB also offers Spanish translation services at its yearly National Convention. The NFB-NEWSLINE (www.nfb.org/nfb/Newspapers_by_Phone.asp) is a service that grants registered users access to over 250 newspapers and selected magazines via a toll-free phone call. Tweens, teens, and young adults can accesses several Spanish-language newspapers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the telephone by simply placing a toll-free phone call.

Microsoft's Encarta Digital Encyclopedia is available in a variety of foreign languages, including Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Web-Based Foreign Language Tools

The world wide web offers a variety of ways to access useful foreign language text which can then be converted to braille.

1) Google has great foreign language tools which can be found at www.google.com/language_tools. Google allows users to select language preference options, both for search engine interface language and for internet searching (i.e.: search only for pages written in these language[s]).

(Graphic: Picture of Google language interface options webpage.)

This same webpage guides users to the official Google's search engine site for the desired country.

(Graphic: 2 pictures of webpages that allow users to select and use Google search engine country/language interface options.)

2) Google has several neat language translation features. Via the above website one can paste in a web address into the "Translate a web page" box, chose the desired language, and "presto" - it translates the whole page and subsequent links automatically.

(Graphic: 2 pictures depicting how to translate webpages using the Google URL translation features.)

The webpage also has a "Translate text" box that translates any text pasted into the box. Google also has 2 additional translation webpages with an expanding number of language options, including more complex languages such as Lithuania http://translate.google.com/translate_t?hl=en# & http://translate.google.com/translate_s?hl=en.

(Graphic: 4 pictures depicting how to translate text using the mentioned Google translation features.)

These latter 2 features allow you to translate text or any webpage into Spanish! (or visa versa). Other language options are available as well. (Please note: Translations are NOT perfect, but this is a cool feature never-the-less). You can then copy and import the Spanish text into Duxbury and you have instant Spanish braille!

3) A variety of other websites similarly allow for translation of blocks of text that are pasted into the translate box, including Microsoft's Windows Live web-service which offers free translation capabilities in a variety of languages (http://translator.live.com).

4) Microsoft WORD allows for translation of blocks of highlighted text by clicking on "Tools", scrolling down to "Language" then selecting "Translate." You then choose from a drop down list of language options.

A Really Useful Tip

Use the "Contact Us" feature on the websites you visit! Heed this great advice passed on to my by a TVI braille teacher via California's Braille-N-Teach list-serve as you explore the various world wide web-based resources. The majority of times that I have tried this, I have been successful in getting useful information. Be prepared - this tactic does not work all the time. You may very well need to be persistent and keep calling or writing until you connect with a sympathetic and helpful ear.

Yes, You Too Can Overcome Technophobia

The reality is that in order to really take full advantage of the expanding wealth of foreign language resources, parents must become somewhat familiar with technology basics. I suffered from "technophobia" for many years. I avoided classes in both high school and college that had anything to do with typing or computers. After I graduated from my residency program, my roommate helped me purchase my first computer which literally sat on my desk for 6 months before I got the nerve to turn in on for fear that I might somehow literally break it by merely not hitting the power button correctly. My wife recently cautiously stepped into the technological world and is also successfully braving the computer age. She has learned to email, surf the net, and generate English and Lithuanian braille documents. By attending a few conferences, workshops, and seminars one can fairly quickly learn the braille/blindness and low vision technology basics. I am thus confident that if my wife and I could overcome our "technophobia" then virtually anybody else can too.

Important Additional Foreign Language Braille Considerations

Each country has a braille authority, much like our BANA (Braille Authority of North America; www.brailleauthority.org) that standardizes the language's braille code and tactile graphics.

Language issues will vary depending on if the given language is the user's native language (ie: Spanish used by someone living in Spain or Mexico) vs. the primary language of a household (ie: second generation Mexican-Americans) vs. those learning Spanish as a second language in school. Foreign language books brailled for English-speaking students to learn Spanish in school are generally different than the books a native speaker of the foreign language at the same grade level would be reading

Several individuals have pointed out to me that similar to English, Spanish braille and Spanish terminologies vary between Spanish-speaking countries and that thus these realities can be an issue when seeking out Spanish braille for children. Having studied Spanish and lived in and/or traveled to several Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina and Uruguay, I very much understand that this is indeed true. Each of you has to make a decision with respect to how much of an impact that may have on your situation. My personal feeling about this is that, while there may be differences, the benefits of exposure to any Spanish braille will often outweigh the other issues and will likely lead to language discussions that would happen anyway given time. While not quite the same, I would personally not have much of an issue in exposing my kids to Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, or British braille stories if that was all that was readily available; fortunately that is not the case.

Practical & Economic Realities of Supply and Demand

Several of the US-based braille production groups I contacted expressed to me that they are not sure how much of a demand there really is for Spanish braille in the US. They obviously need to make decisions based on their resources. I suggest that if there is a strong interest in increasing the volume of Spanish braille materials for children living in the US, then interested individuals and groups need to make this desire known and then back it up with purchases of these materials.

Bottom Line:

What is the Most Reliable Way to Get Braille Children's Books in Foreign Languages?

Step 1. Get some print/picture books in the desired language. (Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Target carry an increasing number of Spanish language children's book options and Spanish language children's books can also be purchased from many websites.)

Step 2. Roll up your sleeves.

Step 3. Option A: Sit down with braille labels or braille paper and a Perkins Brailler and start brailling away - that is how my wife started providing children's stories in Lithuanian for our boys to read.

Option B: For the technologically inclined, type away on your desktop or laptop using the language option that is included with Windows XP or Vista and then convert the text to braille using your favorite braille translation program!

But Really, How Easy is it to Modify Books?

Here is an excerpt from a recent California Department of Education news release*:

"A nine year old big sister named Emily O'Neill is a transcriber! Emily's little sister was born without eyes, and learning braille was a way for her to read, So, Emily had a plan. Emily learned how to braille and began affixing braille tape to picture books that she would read to her baby sister." "In her home town, Emily has been checking out books from a special section in the library and labeling them with braille tape."

(Graphic: Picture of Jeni [3 year old braille-reader in-training] and her inspiring older sister Emily [11 year old transcriber-in- training] .

Emily is now 11, and though her 3 year old little sister Jeni is not quite yet reading braille on her own, Emily is enrolled in formal braille courses offered by the Hadley School for the Blind as part of their Family Education Program distance learning series (www.hadley-school.org/2_d_FE.asp). I submit that if 9 year old Emily can make books accessible, then any motivated parent can too! J

*Adapted with permission from the November & December 2008 California Department of Education/ Clearinghouse for Specialized Media Translations (CSMT) monthly Braille and Teach Update news release "Spotlight on Students" section.

Reprinted with permission from December 2008 Braille and Teach Update news release.

Concluding Remarks

I encourage you to take advantage of the multitude of foreign language resources that are available! The road to foreign language braille is not an easy one to take, but those of you who choose to embark on the quest and work through the obstacles you encounter, will find that your lives and the lives of your children will be much richer for your efforts.

Special Acknowledgements

I want to thank Nancy Burns, the past president of the NFB of California, who first invited me to speak and formalize my thoughts on this topic, to Dr. Ruby Ryles for encouraging me to further share my views on braille and the ways in which braille has touched and enriched our lives, and to Joe Sullivan - the wizard of braille translation - for being instrumental in making Lithuanian braille a functional reality in the lives of my children. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the members of the NFB Blind Kid list-serve, the NFB Professionals in Blindness Education (PIBE) Division list-serve, the California Department of Education's Braille-N-Teach list-serve, the Technology Specialists at the California School for the Blind, Dr. Stuart Wittenstein, Robert Jaquiss, Anna Dresner, and all the rest of you who provided me input on this topic over the years. I am very grateful to the individuals who critically reviewed this article and provided their Spanish and foreign language expertise: Dra. Esther Burgos Bordonau (Professor of Music Information at the Faculty of Documentation at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid; researcher and specialist in music and blindness), Lisa McClure (Braille Transcriber, CTEVH's Foreign Language Consultant, Member of BANA's Committee on Foreign Language Materials), Alpidio Rolon (Moderator of the Nfbespanol-talk list-serve, member of the Board of Directors of the NFB secretary, Secretary of the Special Education Advisory Panel for the Puerto Rico Department of Education), and Marcia Headley (Spanish-speaking mother of a young braille-reading child.)

Resources

Appendix A: Where to Get Adhesive Braille Labels

1. First talk to your child's braille teacher. They usually have supplies they can share for use with your child and they may be able to obtain braille labels from APH through Quota dollars or via other sources.

2. When purchasing adhesive braille labels on your own, take into account that some braille labels sheets are firmer and thus braille is more durable, whereas braille dots on softer sheets are more easily swish-able. If you want the braille to last, purchase the higher quality "good stuff". Some companies may be willing to send you a sample packet of their products if you ask. Here are 2 specific sources of braille labels:

American Thermoform (www.americanthermoform.com; (800)-331-3676) sells packages of what they term "Braillabels." Each package of Braillabels contains 12 single 8.5 x 11 inch sheets; cost ~ $14.15/package.)

American Printing House for the Blind (www.aph.org) offers a variety of braille label options, from blank sheets to pre-formatted peel-off adhesive individual letters of the alphabet.

3. If you have access to a local braille production facility, visit them with your child and see if they would be willing to give you their braille label "scraps". These are often big enough to be used for children's books or to label toys and other items.

Appendix B: Where to Get a Perkins Brailler

1. Ask your braille teacher. The school system or early intervention program should provide a brailler for use in school as well as for use at home.

2. You can purchase a Perkins Brailler from the Perkins School for the Blind (www.perkins.org) or APH (www.aph.org).

3. Search the term "brailler" on eBay (www.ebay.com) and in you find a reasonably priced manual brailler, place a bid. Sometimes Perkins Braillers can be acquired for less than $200.

Links to Selected Articles by DrV:

1. So Dad, When Can I Go Surfing? This is the story of a little boy's quest to learn to surf. The full Special Issue Edition of Future Reflections that is devoted to Childhood Sports, Fitness, and Blindness can be viewed at www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr26/Issue2/fr07sumtc.htm.

2. Equal Expectations: A Belief Paradigm or Politically-Correct, Feel-Good Phrase? This is the text from a keynote address I was invited to present at the 2007 CTEVH Conference.

3. Braille Literacy -- It's A Family Value. This is the modified text of a few presentations I was asked to give on the value of braille from a parent's perspective.

4. Educating the World, One Reporter at a Time. This links to a reprint of an article that showed up in our local newspaper, the Beach Reporter, several years ago. The article was a surprise, as we had not previously interacted with the author. As it was a touching story, I subsequently emailed the author, Paul Silva, who gave me permission to send both to the Braille Monitor & they opted to print both his article and my email in tandem.

5. Forging Trust and Effective Parent Partnerships: Vital Ingredients for the Success of Blind Children. Co-Authored with Barbara Cheadle for the Council for Exceptional Children's D.V.I. Quarterly "Special Issue: Partnering with Parents."

Links to Recommended Articles on Braille Literacy:

1. Research Study: Early Braille Education Vital in Establishing Lifelong Literacy by Ruby Ryles, PhD. Future Reflections Summer/Fall 1999; volume 18, number 2.

2. Why Parents Should Learn Braille by Margaret Malinski. Future Reflections Summer 1996; volume 15, number 3.

3. Braille and the Preschooler by Ramona Walhof. Future Reflections July 1982; volume 1, number 4.

4. Building Braille Reading Speed: Some Helpful Suggestions by Jerry Whittle. Braille Monitor May 1993; volume 36, number 5.

5. Double Your Pleasure-Double Your Speed by Jerry Whittle. Braille Monitor March 2009; volume 52, number 3.

6. Braille Reading Speed: Are You Willing to Do What It Takes? by Susan Ford and Ramona Walhof. Braille Monitor June, 1999; volume 42, number 5.

7. 101 Ways to Use Braille by Ellen Ringlein. Braille Monitor March 1999; volume 42, number 2.

8. The World Under My Fingers: Personal Reflections on Braille, Second Edition. Edited by Barbara Pierce and Barbara Cheadle. Copyright 2005 by the National Federation of the Blind.

9. Partners in Literacy: Supporting Braille Instruction and Braille Readers at Home by Missy Garber and Lynne Davis Dellinger. D.V.I. Quarterly Special Issue - Partnering with Parents (Division on Visual Impairments: A division of the Council for Exceptional Children [CEC]) Spring 2007; volume 52, number 3.

10. Macy's Question ((The Story of a Young Girl Who Learns that Santa Knows Braille Too!)) by Crystal McClain. Braille Monitor December 2000; volume 43, number 12.

* If you want your child to receive a Braille Letter from Santa, then check NFB website every year beginning mid-November to locate the details. Here is the link to the 2008 Press Release "National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy.

Link to Recommended Video on Braille Literacy:

1. Braille: Unlocking the Code. This is a very well done video that focuses on the wonders of the braille code system. It highlights the benefits of braille and importance of braille literacy, touches on the history braille, dispels some of the myths of braille and raises important issues that blind children and the educational system face today. While it provides a great overview of braille that could be used in the general education classroom setting, it really is a "must see" for all blindness educators and administrators, as well as parents of blind or visually impaired children. The video is 15 minutes 39 seconds long and can be downloaded or viewed at www.braille.org.

2. Young Heroes - Louis Braille. This video is a wonderful dramatization of the life of Louis Braille with well done audio-description produced by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). This too is a great video to capture the attention of classroom students when introducing them to the topic of braille and is sure to stimulate discussion. The video is 35 minutes 44 seconds long and can be downloaded or viewed at www.cnib.ca/en/living/braille/louis-braille/Default.aspx.The CNIB website has a very nice mini-biography of Louis Braille & webpage that clearly and simply explains the continued importance of braille literacy for blind and visually impaired children and adults in the 21st Century.

3. Jake and the Secret Code. This is the story how Jake, a sighted 9-year-old, is introduced to the braille code and the tools that blind children and adults use to read and write, including the slate and stylus, electronic braille notetakers, talking computers, and braille printers. This 14 minute 41 second long video is part of the NFB's Braille Is Beautiful Program which is designed to introduce sighted elementary school age children to Braille as a fun and interesting method of reading and writing. The video and program promote a positive message about blindness and the abilities of blind people.

Links to other "Must Read" Articles for Parents & Teachers of Young Blind Children:

1. Is Your Child Age-Appropriate? by Ruby Ryles, PhD. Future Reflections Special Issue - The Early Years 2004; volume 23, number 2.

2. Growing Up Blind by Jan Bailey. Future Reflections Fall 1990; volume 9, number 3.

3. The Blind Child in The Regular Preschool Program by Ruby Ryles, PhD. Future Reflections Special Issue - The Early Years 2004; volume 23, number 2.

4. Suggestions for Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers of Blind Students by Jill Weatherd. Future Reflections Summer/Fall 1999; volume 18, number 2.

5. The Blind Child In The Regular Elementary Classroom by Carol Castellano. From Future Reflections Summer 1996; volume 15, number 3.

6. Expectations: The Critical Factor in the Education of Blind Children by Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D. Future Reflections Special Issue - The Early Years 2004; volume 23, number 2.

7. Setting High Expectations for the Blind: A Duty for Blindness Professionals by James H. Omvig. Braille Monitor June 2007; volume 50, number 6.

8. Assuring Quality Literacy Instruction in Braille Literacy Programs by Alan J. Koenig and M. Cay Holbrook. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness November 2000; volume 94, number 11, 677-694 (Note: This link requires a subscription password).

* Gua de la Ley de Educacin Especial - Una Gua para Padres, Maestros y Otros Profesionales (The Everyday Guide to Special Education Law - A Handbook for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals) by Randy Chapman. This book is available in Spanish and English has been described to be useful resource that covers special education issues from birth to 21 years, including IDEA, early childhood intervention services, IEPs, 504 plans and more so that parents can become informed and more effectively advocate for their child. (The Spanish version, ISBN Number: 978-0-9770179-1-1, is also available at www.barnesandnoble.com).

Links to Child-Friendly Websites on Braille & Blindness:

1. Questions Kids Ask About Blindness

2. Marina Explains About Blindness

3. Marina's Guide to Braille and More

4. Arthur's Communication Adventure

5. Arthur Series Print to Braille Message Translator

6. Braille Bug

7. What is Braille?

8. Braille Bug's Secret Message

9. Foreign Language Braille by Braille Bug

10. Braille Music by Braille Bug

11. Nemeth Braille Math Code by Braille Bug

12. Kernel Book Series: Inspiring Stories About Blind Children and Adults

Links to Websites Focusing on Foreign Languages:

1. Languages of the World (www.nvtc.gov/lotw)

2. Omniglot (www.omniglot.com)

3. E-Language School.net (http://elanguageschool.net)

A Father's Tribute to Louis Braille!

January 4th 2009 marked the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, a remarkable individual who left behind an influential, empowering, and liberating legacy - the invention of the code that bears his name. The braille code has since then flourished and has been adapted to languages throughout the world. Indeed, 200 years later, braille is very much alive and remains a vital ingredient in the success of blind children, youth, and adults.

Braille fluency makes the difference between "getting by" and having a chance to really succeed. I have had the fortune to interact with many blind youth and adults whose lives and accomplishments serve as testimonials to the concept that mastery of this 6-dot code helps level the academic and workplace playing field in this increasingly competitive world.

When immersed in braille from early childhood, children can learn to read and write just as fast as their normally-sighted print-reading peers. Unfortunately too many parents, educators, and administrators resist and/or delay the introduction of braille, choosing to focus their emphasis the use of a child's residual vision. I have met individuals and have heard many additional stories of young large-print-reading students encountering increasing difficulty in keeping up with their classmates - as the quantity of reading and writing they are expected to do increases with time, many of these children fall further and further behind. Individuals who can not read and write proficiently enough to pursue their studies, careers, and dreams suffer from what can be termed "functional illiteracy". In many cases, this is an avoidable, unnecessary, iatrogenically created handicap. By giving blind and partially sighted children the tools to access and manipulate the written word, the braille code brings them closer to reaching their full inner potential by unlocking the doors to education, to bright and promising futures, and to an exciting world of endless opportunities.

Thus as a parent of two blind braille-reading children, I reflect on Louis Braille with the deepest admiration and appreciation for his creativity, and for not only having a vision of what could be, but for also having conviction to stand up to the academic establishment who was resistant to his efforts at the time. Through his insights and perseverance, in conjunction with many of the organizations and resources I mention in this article, my children have direct access to expanding literary and informational resources that will allow them to pursue their educational, recreational, and career goals and dreams. It is indeed amazing that Louis Braille, a young man of humble origins who lived two centuries ago in a far away land, could have such a profound impact in my family and lives and futures of so many children and adults around the world.

Thank You Louis Braille!

Changing What it Means to be a Blind Child

YOU too can help change what it means to be a blind child! For those individuals, organizations, or foundations desiring to make a meaningful impact on blind children and their prospects for a bright and independent future, I encourage you to support the National Federation of the Blind's braille Literacy initiatives for blind children and their families. To learn more about braille programs and initiatives of the NFB go to www.braille.org.

Please also consider purchasing a Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin from the US Mint or sponsoring a child (or a few) on the annual March of Independence (www.marchforindependence.org).

Key words: Early Braille Immersion, Foreign Language Braille, Spanish Braille, El Alfabeto Braille, Braille Espao, Braille Literacy, Braille Fluency, Family Braille, Blindness Skills, Louis Braille, Lietuvi Brailio ratas, Lietuva, Brailio Abcl, "A How to Access Foreign Language Braille Primer for Parents"