[Pibe-division] Teaching Braille to Someone with Very Limited English Skills

[Sandy Bishop]

We faced this with our daughter (age 14) adopted from China just last
December. She arrived with no English. I spoke with Sharon Monthei.
She offered a few ideas and suggested I contact Sylvie Kashdan of the
Kaizen Center in Seattle. I also contacted Roz Rowley from Perkins
School for the Blind after reading how they developed a braille
version of the Wilson Reading program.

I spoke at great length with my local public school, special education
department, the school district ESOL department and the school
district vision resource department. In the end, what I was able to
get was an interpreter for a few hours a week for the first month she
was in school. The interpreter worked with the TVI and the O&M
instructor, facilitating basic communication during those early days.
The ESOL department was no help. The TVI ended up using Building on
Patterns materials to teach braille and basic English reading skills
at the same time. I'm sure the TVI would be happy to share her
experience as it was a first for her too.

For an adult learner, I would strong recommend contacting the Kaizen
Center since their program is specifically for adult immigrants who
need English and braille instruction.

Sandy Bishop

> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:36:47 -0600
> From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
> To: "Smith, Pauline L" <PSmith4 at dmc.org>,    Professionals in Blindness
>    Education Division List    <pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
>
> I would contact Sharon Monthei, who used to work for BLIND, Inc., and
> did this for several years.  They might be able to put you in contact
> with her, as she retired from there last year.
>
> Dave
>
> At 09:57 AM 11/14/2014, you wrote:
>>
>> Good Morning,
>>
>> This past Tuesday, a student began our training program with very
>> limited English skills.  An interpreter is with her during class.  I
>> would like some suggestions on how or whether it is possible to
>> teach er Braille.  Right now, she is not on my schedule because of
>> the communication barrier.  I would like to work with her if it is
>> possible.  Any suggestions, teaching techniques, and/or places to
>> obtain materials would be appreciated.
>>
>> Pauline Smith, TVI
>> Braille Instructor
>> Visually Impaired Services
>