New In-Class Presentation - UEB and HTML

Photo shows a teacher drawing braille characters in print on a whiteboardLast week Jen and I partnered with one of our colleagues to deliver a new presentation in a middle school classroom on Unified English Braille. In order to draw connections to the Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies curriculum the features of UEB as a code are examined in relation to other codes, namely HTML. The students in the class were familiar with braille at an introductory level as one of their peers uses braille as her primary literacy medium. UEB (e.g., [capital passage indicator] Brl is cool [termination sign] - BRL IS COOL) and how this functions similarly to HTML elements (e.g., "<strong>Braille is cool</strong>" - Braille is cool). Students collaboratively problem solve around how they would make different text features accessible using "markup" in UEB. 

Students were asked by their classroom teacher to work in pairs to make short videos describing what they had learned about braille. Our favourite student quote: "Braille is a code, not a language. Get it right, people!"

The lesson concluded with a short presentation on braille signage, given that for most students, this is where they will have seen braille in the community. Students watch a short video clip on how braille signage is used by blind travelers and learn about what makes an effective use of braille to make signage more accessible. Students then problem solve accessibility barriers posed by ineffective braille signage

Please do not hesitate to be in touch with us if this presentation would be relevant in your schools. 

 

About the author

Adam Wilton

I have been fortunate to learn and grow with students with visual impairments since 2007, working as a teacher of students with visual impairments (TSVI), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and most recently as the Program Manager of PRCVI and ARC-BC. I completed a PhD in Special Education at the University of British Columbia in 2017 where my research focused on the administrative determinants of workloads for itinerant TSVIs.   

One of my favourite aspects of my current role is delivering outreach support to my colleagues and their students from across British Columbia. I've been fortunate to have many exciting adventures in schools and communities across the province and I hope you enjoy following along through #outreaching!

When I'm not on the road, I enjoy learning to play the violin, collecting antique books, and spending time surrounded by trees. 

comments powered by Disqus
--> Return to the top of the page