Braille
Braille is a way of reading by touch. It takes time to learn a method such as braille, particularly for people who experience sight loss in later years. The relatively small number of users of braille, around 20,000 people in the UK, and the specialist equipment needed for production make it an expensive format. Some individuals purchase books for themselves in braille but the majority borrow them from the RNIB National Library Service.
Braille
Braille is a format widely used by blind people for reading by touch. In addition to using braille for reading books, many more use braille for tasks such as labelling and card games.
You can learn how braille works and information about learning braille here and on the RNIB website where there are special features to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille.
Where to get braille books
RNIB is the main provider of braille in the UK. The RNIB National Library Service has a large collection of braille books for loan by post. It is also possible to buy some books in braille through the RNIB.
ClearVision provides a postal lending service of books that incorporate braille with normal print and illustrations for younger readers. Public libraries can subscribe to a loan collection scheme.
Music in braille
Braille music is produced using a special braille code. RNIB is the main publisher in the UK. The RNIB National Library Service has the largest collection of braille music in the UK, ranging from classical to pop and music for electronic keyboards. As with braille books these are available for loan.
Moon
Moon is similar to braille and is another way of reading by touch. It uses shapes to depict letter, numbers and punctuation. Not as widely used as braille, Moon is often preferred by people who have lost their sight later in life or have other disabilities which make it difficult to learn braille.
The RNIB National Library Service has the only collection of books in Moon in the UK.
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- Date: May 2009