In honor of National Braille Literacy Month, DBS Director Robert Doyle read to 40 third grade students at Woodville Elementary School in Tallahassee. Following the reading, staff from the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) Division of Blind Services (DBS) led the students in interactive activities that provided them with an understanding of how individuals with varying visual impairments live, work and play. The students were later presented with copies of their names written in braille and the braille alphabet.
“Literacy is the foundation for learning and the gateway to a valuable education, profitable career and a better quality of life,” DBS Director Robert L. Doyle III said. “With these building blocks, individuals with visual disabilities gain access to a plethora of opportunities that lead to independence. Florida remains at the forefront in its efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion for individuals in the blind and visually impaired community.”
Through DBS, blind and visually impaired Floridians have access to many educational, vocational, medical, social and recreational services beginning at birth. Through the efforts of FDOE’s Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, students with visual disabilities work with teachers to learn important skills such as reading braille and how to navigate the classroom using a cane or a guide dog.
DBS is dedicated to ensuring that Floridians who are blind or visually impaired have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve success. Last year, DBS helped 854 individuals achieve successful employment and another 10,614 received assistance to become more successful in school, community and work. Through DBS’ Braille and Talking Book Library, the agency served more than 31,000 active readers with disabilities, with more than 2.4 million items (audio books, braille, large print) available for patrons.
For more information about the Division of Blind Services and their programs, visit dbs.fldoe.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.
Braille Literacy Month
Department of Education Celebrates Braille Literacy Month at Tallahassee Elementary School
MEDIA ADVISORY
Tomorrow, January 26, Division of Blind Services (DBS) Director Robert Doyle will visit Woodville Elementary School and read to students in honor of Braille Literacy Month. Following the reading, the students will participate in hands-on activities to provide them with an understanding of how individuals with varying visual impairments live, work and play.
WHAT: Braille Literacy Month Celebration
WHEN: 9:00 am
Friday, January 26, 2018
WHERE: Woodville Elementary School
9373 Woodville Highway
Tallahassee, Florida 32305
The Division of Blind Services’ mission is to ensure blind and visually-impaired Floridians have the necessary tools, support and opportunity to achieve success. To find out more, visit dbs.fldoe.org.
Department of Education Celebrates Braille Literacy Month at Tallahasee Elementary School
Walter Blackmon of the Florida Division of Blind Services reads “The Three Little Pigs”
in braille to the several pre-k students at Conley Elementary for Braille Literacy Month.
In honor of National Braille Literacy Month, staff from the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) Division of Blind Services (DBS) read the braille version of “The Gingerbread Man” to 60 Pre-K students at J. Michael Conley Elementary School in Tallahassee.
Following the reading, students learned about the varying levels of blindness, as they participated in activities using vision simulators. The students were later presented with copies of their names written in braille and the braille alphabet.
Students in Mrs. Jaime Cox’s pre-k class feel the braille on the pages of a book
during a reading at Conley Elementary School for Braille Literacy Month.
Through FDOE, students with visual disabilities work with teachers who are trained specifically in visual impairments to learn important skills such as reading braille and how to navigate the classroom using a cane or a guide dog.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
For more information about the Division of Blind Services, visit www.dbs.fldoe.org
