Reasons Why You Should Learn Braille

LightHouse braille student Geneice Hawkins became blind six years ago. She began learning braille four years ago but due to health reasons, was unable to hone and practice her braille skills. Now she has returned to the classroom, relearning and revisiting those familiar dots and cells. She uses braille to label medications, herbs and spices and other household items, and much more. “I love to read and use audio books when I’m multi-tasking, like cooking or washing dishes. But I was inspired to get back to studying braille,” she told us, “by the birth of my nieces and more recently my 20-month-old granddaughter. She loves to be read to and is always walking around with a book in her hand. I really want to be able to read to her and to my nieces.

Despite the fantastic access technology available to most folks who are blind, braille, even basic braille, is eminently useful for essential everyday activities such as household labeling, writing notes, calendaring appointments, creating grocery lists as well as using computers and smart phones with refreshable braille displays.

If you are blind or low vision and would like to find out how you can learn braille, contact LightHouse braille instructor Divina Fontanilla Carslon at dfontanilla@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7367.

Student Geneice Hawkins works with LightHouse braille instructor Divina Fontanilla Carlson