THIMPHU: In an attempt to standardise Braille application and make the writing system for visually impaired people systematic, Braille users across the country came together for the first time and discussed various applications of Braille.

The four-day workshop that ended on November 21 at Kanglung focused on the introduction to Braille, application of rules in transcribing printed text into Braille, learning readiness activities, learning of Braille Science and Math code were discussed at length, said the focal person, Pema Chogay, a visually impaired teacher with the national institute for the disabled (NID).
“In Bhutan, so far, there was no standardised use of Braille codes and science in Bhutan, so we couldn’t use it in the correct form,” said Pema Chogay.

Demonstration of various materials to be used for sharpening the sense of touch of the visually impaired learners was also discussed.

“We learnt that students, who had the sense of touch but unable to read Braille, would be able to read Braille with proper guidance and motivation from teachers,” said Kinga Dorji of the Braille production unit, curriculum and professional support division (CAPSD) of the education ministry.

There are three students, who aren’t able to read Braille, said Kinga Dorji. There are 47 students studying and 13 teachers at NID, 16 students at Jigme Sherubling higher secondary school and four at Sherubtse college.

Over the years, digital technology has eased the process of translating school text and reference books into Braille according to officials of the Braille production unit. What was done manually, punching in word after word for months on the Perkins Brailler, is done in a matter of few minutes with the help of computer software called Duxbury Braille translator.

The Braille production unit, established in 2002, still suffers from a shortage of skills and manpower, said Kinga Dorji.

Kinga Dorji said that translation of Mathematics and Science that were tedious jobs should be made easier as the unit has recently procured software of scientific notation with Math editor.

“Before we begin translation, we need to train teachers on how to use nemeth Braille codes,” said Kinga Dorji.