Louis Braille

Louis Braille was known for developing a system of raised dot writing used for the blind to read. This system is called the Braille system. Braille characters make up the letters of the alphabet, punctuations marks, numbers, and can be used in every foreign language. There are even Braille codes for math, music, and computers.

Born - January 4, 1809

Died - January 6, 1852

Age Range Key

Great Lives: Louis Braille (Audio) (Y,M,O,T)
This 30-minute episode of BBC’s Great Lives radio program focuses on the life and history of Louis Braille. Provides in-depth information on the challenges Braille faced, many of his other accomplishments, and the impact of the Braille writing system.

Musée Louis Braille | Louis Braille Museum (Y,M,O,T)
The Louis Braille Museum is located at Louis Braille’s childhood home in France. If you can’t visit the museum in person, you can find in-depth information on Louis Braille and the development of the Braille writing system, a virtual tour of the Museum’s gardens, and activity ideas for kids.

200 Years: The Life and Legacy of Louis Braille (Y,M,O,T)
A digital exhibition from the American Foundation for the Blind that provides in-depth information on Louis Braille’s life and his invention of the Braille writing system.

Louis Braille: His Legacy and Influence (M,O,T)
A digital exhibition from the Library of Congress that contains artifacts, photos, and documents related to Louis Braille and the Braille writing system.

Braille Through the Years: Past, Present and Future (Y,M,O)
Learn about the life of Louis Braille, the history of the Braille writing system, and how it’s used today from the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Braille Resources for Schools (Y,M,T)
The Royal National Institute of Blind People has a collection of lesson plans, handouts, activity pages, and worksheets for teaching Braille and the history of Braille. For grades K-5.

Braille Literacy: Resources for Learning and Reading (Y,M,O,T)
The Library of Congress’s National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled offers a wealth of services and resources to patrons, potential patrons, and those who are seeking information about braille, talking books, blindness, and print disabilities.

Braille Music Resources (Y,M,O,T)
A collection of Braille Music resource links from the National Federation of the Blind. Includes educational websites, software, downloads, programs, and more.

Building Your Braille Literacy Toolkit (T)
The American Printing House for the Blind has put together this list of essential tools for blind and visually impaired students to embark on their Braille literacy journey.

Braille Bug (Y,M)
Braille Bug is a children’s learning website designed to introduce kids to Braille. The site has a large collection of games, puzzles, worksheets, stories, and other educator resources.

Braille (Y,M,O,T)
An introduction to the Braille writing system from Omniglot - writing systems and languages of the world. Also included is a large list of Braille literacy resources for continued learning.

Deciphering Braille (M)
Braille is not a language, but a writing system, which has been coded for numerous languages around the world. The American Printing House Braille Bug website provides an introductory explanation of the Braille system.

Understanding Braille (Y,M,O,T)
A PBS Teachers lesson plan for students grades K-12.