These two booklets have been produced by ClearVision to help sighted adults support children who are learning braille. Anyone is welcome to download and distribute them (provided the booklet is produced in its entirety and given away, not sold). They’re free, but we would appreciate it if you could make a donation through the ‘Support Us’ page of this website.

Crack the Code is a puzzle book for sighted parents, school staff and anyone else interested in learning to read uncontracted (grade 1) braille by sight. It is full of activities, puzzles and jokes designed to introduce the braille alphabet, simple punctuation and numbers and will only take a couple of hours to complete. Crack the Code is designed to look like the kind of puzzle book sold in newsagents - to encourage anyone who might be put off by anything resembling a text book!

A Braille Reader in the Family is a booklet for parents. It contains information about braille and tips on how to help a child who is or who will be learning braille. The activities and games have been suggested by teachers and parents, and most do not require knowledge of braille – although parents are encouraged to learn the alphabet. Many children will be the only person they know learning braille, so the booklet also includes positive quotes from braille readers of all ages.

For individual A4 pages use this link: Crack the Code (2mb); A Braille Reader in the Family (472kb)

To make A5 booklets use this link and print double-sided on A4 sheets before collating and folding: Crack the Code (224kb) A Braille Reader in the Family (8mb)

ClearVision’s Patron is author and former Children’s Laureate Anne Fine OBE. During her time as Laureate, Anne set up a scheme called My Home Library to encourage children to have their own little library at home. You can read more about it at www.myhomelibrary.org. Anne, with support from fellow authors Jacqueline Wilson, J.K Rowling, Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman and the St James’ Place Foundation set up the ClearVision My Home Library Scheme. It gives four free books to every child who joins the library.

• Access2Books: www.access2books.org sell children’s books in giant print and braille with adapted print images
• Action for Blind People: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk provide information and support to people with a visual impairment
• Bag Books: www.bagbooks.org produce multisensory stories for people with severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning disabilities
• Booktrust: www.booktrust.org a national literacy charity. Their free BookTouch packs contain books specially selected for children with a visual impairment and their Bookmark site gives information on children’s books and disabilities.
• Calibre Audio Library: www.calibre.org.uk run a library of audiobooks for anyone who cannot read print, including a special selection for children/young people.
• Guidedogs: www.guidedogs.org.uk provide a wealth of information, support and services for children with a visual impairment. Their Custom Eyes service produces tailor-made books in any font size
• Linden Lodge School: www.lindenlodge.wandsworth.sch.uk The Specialist Sensory and Physical College where ClearVision started. We are still based within the school grounds.
• National Federation of families with visually impaired children: www.look-uk.org provides information and support to young people and their families
• Positive Eye www.positiveeye.co.uk Run a consultancy providing training and learning resources for professionals supporting children with Visual Impairment
• Reading Sight: www.readingsight.org.uk a wealth of information about reading for people with a visual impairment
• RNIB Bookshare: www.rnibbookshare.org An online collection of downloadable learning resources for anyone who has trouble reading print
• RNIB Library Service: www.rnib.org.uk/services-we-offer/reading-choices
• Tactile Book Advancement Group: www.tactilebooks.org further information on tactile books and their creation
• Through Scarlett’s Eyes www.throughscarlettseyes.com run by the parent of a child who has a visual impairment this site gives practical advice and support for other parents. It was set up by VICTA (see below).
• UK Association for Accessible Formats: www.ukaaf.org
• VICTA: www.victa.org.uk provides support, grants, trip and activities for children with a visual impairment