adapted version of the book Charlotte’s Web with corresponding tactile symbols and simplified professionally narrated language. GoBraille teaches and reinforces the braille code which in- cludes over 180 contractions. The first few pages of the app al- low students to build tactile discrimination skills by finding the group of dots that form a different letter or by finding a specific braille letter in a row (See figure 2 and 3). The app then introduc- es a few whole word contractions and beginning primer level sight words. The practice section of the app encompasses two levels. Part 1 introduces contractions and sight words up to an approximate first to second grade level. Part 2 introduces sight words from an approximate second to third-fourth grade level. Students are engaged in matching braille words and contrac- tions on the overlays (See figure 4), forming their own words with various contractions (See figure 5), making their own sen- tences with various short words (See figure 6), reading sentences or paragraphs on the overlays (See figure 7), and reading a short story, all with auditory feedback. In fact, the app and prototype overlays have been trialed by teachers of young students who use braille and the results have been positive. Students who tri- aled the app enjoyed the immediate auditory reinforcement. GoBraille is designed to be used along with other reading strategies and materials. GoBraille teaches all contractions used for basic reading including some punctuation marks, allowing the program to stand alone as a program that teaches initial braille skills. Primary features that set GoBraille apart from oth- er programs is that sighted students can sit alongside the child who is blind and also learn sight words and a paraprofessional can use the program under the supervision of a qualified teach- er of the visually impaired. GoBraille is a program that will lend itself to the next genera- tion of braille learners. We all recognize the importance of learn- ing concepts and literacy. In 1829, when Louis Braille created the braille code, thousands of children and adults who were blind began becoming literate. With rapidly developing technologies, there are additional strategies people can use to communicate and become literate. However, since braille is to the blind what print is to the sighted, we know that new and different ways to learn braille are critical to the development of literacy in gen- erations to come. Without braille, students with blindness or low vision would not be able to spell, compose and read inde- pendently. We are excited for a new generation of braille learn- ers to begin their journey to literacy with GoBraille.
Figure 3: Page 5, Find The Letter
Figure 4: Page 9, Learn And Match Whole Word Sign
Figure 5: Make Words With ow, ar, and
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