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Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss

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Home > Living with Vision Loss > Reading and Writing

Reading and Writing

Literacy—the ability to read and write—is vital to a successful education, career, independent living, and quality of life in today's world. Whether in the form of curling up with a good book, jotting down a phone number, making a shopping list, or writing a report, being literate means participating effectively at home, at work, and in society.

Although learning to read and write in traditional ways may not be possible when you cannot see print on a page, there are many other paths to remaining literate. Learning to read and write in braille can make a dramatic difference in the life of a visually impaired child or adult.

When you first touch something written in braille, it will probably feel like a jumble of dots. However, like any other code, braille is based on a logical system. Once you understand it, you'll be able to read and write braille easily. That's because braille is not a language, it's just another way to read and write English—or any other language, such as Japanese. Learn more in the Braille section of the AFB web site. Some older people may want to learn Braille for brief note taking, or labeling items, but not for reading an entire book. Braille may not be an option for older people who have lost feeling in their fingertips as a result of diabetes or other causes of neuropathy.

Learning to use devices like magnifiers and computers equipped with software that simulates a human voice reading the screen or a computer with software which enlarges the print size can also open up the world of literacy for someone with a visual impairment to remain employed, function independently at home and in the community.

Instruction in literacy skills is a critical effort. But a nationwide shortage of trained teachers is an obstacle to the encouragement of literacy among people who are visually impaired. To help promote literacy and provide useful resources, the materials on this web site include suggestions for teachers, parents, family members, and visually impaired individuals. Writing for people with low vision may also be possible with the use of various writing guides and bold line paper. There are templates for your signature, writing a check, and addressing an envelop as well as writing a full page.