Scout General Search
Links to data, maps, publications, and information about causes and socioeconomic aspects of blindness and visual impairment.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)"...[D]escribes the variety of state infrastructures and programs ... that serve children and youth who are blind or visually impaired. Information was collected through a brief survey distributed to all state education agencies...." Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Source: National Association of State Director of Special Education, Inc. (NASDSE)Links to a variety of educational resources, including the following topics: Blindness; Braille Literacy; Deaf-Blindness; Disabilities; Eye Conditions; Organizations - United States; Organizations - International; Resources Supporting AT Technology; Vendors.
Source: New York Institute for Special EducationStatistics are drawn from AFB and U.S. government sources, and organized by age, ethnicity, geography, and more
Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB)Statistics are drawn from AFB and U.S. government sources, and organized by age, ethnicity, geography, and more.
Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB)Download this outline of the WBU’s comprehensive plan for the socio-economic integration of people with blindness, including a strategy for poverty reduction. From the General documents page, click the title Blindness, Poverty, and Development from the Development committee.
Source: World Blind Union (WBU)A video presentation by braille expert Frances Mary D'Andrea, from the PA Low Incidence Institute 2013. This video is presented in two 1-hour parts. Transcript and slide downloadables are available for both parts.
Source: Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance NetworkNearly 400,000 books in accessible format for people of all ages all over the world. If you have a print disability, learn about eligibility and signing up here.
Source: BookshareThis section of the AFB website includes resources for teachers of braille, resources for parents, a link to DOTS, the newsletter for braille literacy, and a listing of sources of braille materials.
Source: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)Find answers to common questions about the law regarding braille and learning media assessments in this three-page document; included are numerous resources for more information.
Source: Colorado Department of Education"BANA's purpose is to promote and to facilitate the use, teaching and production of braille." It publishes codes, rules, interpretations, and opinions about braille, most of which can be downloaded from the site.
Source: Braille Authority of North America (BANA)Our own Braille Awareness Kit is designed to provide an understanding of the braille system and how braille makes a difference in the lives of people who are blind; available on loan.
Source: Perkins School for the BlindAt APH's Braille Bug site, students who are sighted can learn about braille and its history, play games, and practice their new skills with games and riddles; a section for parents and teachers includes classroom activities and a reading club.
Source: The American Printing House for the Blind (APH)This is an overview of the braille alphabet in Spanish.
Source: APH Braille BugFor those who want to become braille transcribers, NFB's Jernigan Institute administers the Braille Transcriber Certification Training Program for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Details about the program are at this site.
Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB)Reproduced by Duxbury, Inc., world leader in software for braille and braille translation. These are print resources for students and teachers of braille.
Source: Duxbury Systems, IncA 4-page fact sheet from the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library provides basic information about the braille system and its history. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Source: Perkins School for the BlindJudi Cannon prepared four pages of games to make learning braille fun for elementary school-aged children who are sighted.
Source: Perkins School for the BlindNFB offers many braille-related programs through its Jernigan Institute, including the Braille Certification Training Program for people who want to become braille transcribers.
Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB)NLS "lists instructional materials, supplies, and equipment currently available for learning braille, and cites sources about braille literacy."
Source: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)