Braille literacy lessons fosters understanding and inclusion

In recognition of National Braille Literacy Month, students at Ehrman Crest Elementary School (ECE) and Haine Middle School (HMS) participated in special braille lessons designed to foster understanding and inclusion as students engaged in activities alongside their visually impaired classmates.

Michael Doerfler, proud Seneca Valley graduate of 2001, visited the entire first-grade class at ECE. Visually impaired, Mr. Doerfler read a braille book to students, shared his personal experiences and explained the importance of adaptive tools that played a major role in helping him remain independent and successful when in school. These adaptive tools include a Perkins Brailler (braille typewriter), Clover CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) a magnifier for viewing items up close and at a distance and a Cranmer Abacus (tactile calculator used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired).

First-grader at ECE, Raegan Kertz, has been learning braille since last year with the support of Ms. Jessica Sloan, Midwestern Intermediate Unit (MIU) IV Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Raegan joined Mr. Doerfler, and she helped teach her classmates how to form the braille alphabet through a fun, hands-on activity. She was especially excited to meet another braille reader and proudly shared the skills she has learned.

Additionally, students in a fifth grade class at Haine Middle School participated in a special presentation exploring braille, assistive technology and vision loss. Through the presentation, students learned that vision loss can look different for everyone and discovered how tools such as braille, magnification and other assistive technologies support individuals, including one of their classmates Penelope Fejes, by providing equal access to learning and independence.

Ms. Jessica Sloan and Ms. Lia Noel, Midwestern Intermediate Unit (MIU) IV teachers of the visually impaired, led these impactful sessions at ECE and HMS to help promote awareness of braille as a vital tool for literacy and accessibility.

“This experience provided meaningful connections and valuable learning opportunities for students,” said Ms. Sloan. “They gained a deeper understanding of braille and the tools that support individuals with visual impairments in their everyday lives.”