Braille & Tactile Learning
At NCW, we provide a wide-ranging curriculum with special attention being paid to Braille tuition.
Individual Braille tuition is offered to students who have deteriorating vision, those who already know Braille but need to increase their reading speed or to correct deficiencies in their writing, and those who need help with diagram work.
Students are offered an intensive programme of tuition as they begin to learn Braille. The majority of students use the ‘Fingerprint’ reading and writing course. Once students have accomplished learning the full Grade 2 Braille Code they are given a further year’s teaching to help increase reading speeds and to work on subject-related material.
Specialist Language, Maths, Science and Music Codes are taught within the relevant departments.
Students learn Braille using the traditional Perkins Brailler and can progress to using the latest Braille technology such as BrailleNote and soft Braille strips at the appropriate stage.
Diagram work is usually taught on a one-to-one basis and the work is tailored to the needs of the individual student. At its most basic level, students are taught to tactually recognise a variety of contrasting textures and are helped to acquire a range of scanning techniques. This work is undertaken with close reference to the Mathematics and Science departments and often reinforces or supplements work being undertaken in those areas.
