Unified English Braille (UEB) Practice Sentences – Comprehensive, Ready to Use and Fun. A New Book from Roberta Becker

Full Transcript

Show Summary:

introducing a new braille book for Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired, TBVI), parents and others who wish to instruct Blind students in learning Unified English Braille, (UEB).

The book was written by one of our guests, Roberta Becker. She joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio along with her colleague, Lori Scharff.

Roberta and Lori chat about a variety of topics, ranging from the implementation and description of “the new Unified English Braille (UEB), to many of the specific changes that it brought about for Braille readers, and how those changes are covered in Roberta’s book.

Roberta is a Library of Congress Certified Braille Transcriber, and a Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments. Her brand is “Actual Tactuals Braille”, and her book is entitled, Unified English Braille (UEB) Practice Sentences.

For details about her book and how to get it for your school or your child’s school, be sure to check out her web site at ActualTactuals.com.

Feel free to contact Roberta with any questions, via Email, Or by phone at 516-434-1506.

* Below is information from Roberta’s web site:

Unified English Braille Practice Sentences-comes in print and braille for both students and teachers (sighted or blind). This book can be used to teach REMOTELY or IN CLASS. Suggestions on Roberta’s website will explain how these books can be used remotely. The book -is AVAILABLE IN HARD COPY BRAILLE, so you don’t need to emboss anything. It is effective for children in mid-first grade until high school and beyond. Yes, they should know the alphabet first, but there is practice for writing the letters provided in the book.

This book can be used to teach appropriate level braille contractions, beginning with Alphabetic “Word signs” and it Easily and systematically TEACHES the UEB contractions to students of all ages. This is NOT just a review book!

It is -Very easy to follow: a TVI’s “Go To” book. There is a lot of practice in reading and writing for each contraction, with 3-40 sentences for each contraction. Most sentences use multiple contractions-for additional practice and to build confidence. A Contraction Progress Chart helps you keep track of the contractions that your student knows.

When you find a contraction that the student doesn’t know, simply locate that contraction in the book to give practice on it. NO contraction will be in those sentences unless it was presented in a previous lesson. Again, a contraction is NEVER used, unless it was presented in a previous lesson!

You can also choose the level that you would like to work at from beginning reader to advanced reader, and anywhere in between.

This book is very easy for teachers to use. Everything is done for you from planning to preparing braille materials.

It is very beneficial and even fun for the students.

You will use these books throughout your career for teaching braille reading, braille writing, proofreading, keyboarding, spelling of braille contractions, and use of electronic Braille displays. So basically, you will use it with a student from elementary through high school.

This book is being used successfully by TVI’s in public and private schools, schools for the Blind, universities for teaching TVIs and also by transcribers, in the United States. It is also used by schools and/or universities in Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.

Here is one teacher’s review of this book:
            This book is a gem! It is well organized and user friendly for both teacher and student. The book enables learners to build confidence in recognizing contractions/braille characters and acquire fluency as they read or write sentences.

            As the book progresses students have continued exposure to contractions already learned while continuing to build new skills. The book highlights correct usage of contractions and simplifies rules for using contractions such as ea versus er.

            My student loved this book and enjoyed the challenges presented throughout the text.

            The layout of the book also provides an easy reference for teachers like me who after an almost ten-year lull had to relearn braille. The simulated braille paired on the opposite pages from the printed material facilitates access and offers a convenient way for teachers or other individuals to check written work for accuracy.

            As an added benefit, this book also serves as a resource for symbols used in math, computers, and other venues.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please visit the website: www.ActualTactuals.com.

Contact Your State Services

If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Transition Coordinator Sheila Koenig by email or contact her via phone at 651-539-2361.