Re: [LM_NET] Louis Braille's 200th birthday celebration

[Elizabeth Hart <ehart@CSB-CDE.CA.GOV>]

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) has produced a
wonderful DVD on the life of Louis Braille. It has video description
that is very nicely done. 

You can download it for free from the following website: 

http://www.cnib.ca/en/living/braille/louis-braille/Default.aspx


Elizabeth Hart
Library Technical Assistant
California School for the Blind
Fremont, CA 94536
ehart@csb-cde.ca.gov


_____________________________________________
From: Elizabeth Hart 
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 8:31 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU; 'calibk12@listproc.sjsu.edu'
Subject: Louis Braille's 200th birthday celebration


January 4, 2009 marks the bicentenial birthday celebration of Louis
Braille, the man who invented the Braille dot writing system for the
blind.

You can find out more about the bicentenial celebration at:
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/louis/index.html

Some facts about the braille code:

Braille is not letter for letter. There are 189 contractions used as
well (for more info see
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/braille_deciphering.asp;
http://www.dotlessbraille.org/index.html;
http://www.nyise.org/blind/barbier2.htm). That's why when you look at
signs on public restroom doors there are less braille cells than letters
--

For example: 
Women is wom and the contraction (en)
Handicapped is "h - contraction (and) - icapp - contraction (ed)"
Accessible is "a - contraction (cc) - essi - contraction (ble)"

Another good example is the lid on McDonalds sodas. There are two words
in braille on the lids -- diet (spelled out, no contractions) and other
-- spelled "o - contraction (the) - r"

Almost all braille books, including children's books, are published in
contracted (also called grade 2) braille. Very few books are published
in uncontracted (also known as grade 1) braille -- braille that is
letter for letter.

Some good websites about braille:

History of Reading Codes for the Blind:
http://www.nyise.org/blind/barbier2.htm
Braille bug (from the American Foundation for the Blind):
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/default.asp
Easy introduction to braille: http://www.dotlessbraille.org/index.html

Elizabeth Hart
Library Technical Assistant
California School for the Blind
Fremont, CA 94536
ehart@csb-cde.ca.gov


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------