MMS learns basics of Braille

By Phil Cobb | January 23, 2015 |

Learning the language

January is National Braille Literacy Month. Since Maryville Middle School recently had two students move into the district who are visually impaired, the school decided to take the time to use the month as a learning opportunity.

“We wanted to allow kids to have a hands on experience with Braille,” said Hannah Erspamer, special education teacher. “A lot of students have questions since they know someone in their school uses Braille. We wanted to share some information, just answer some questions and have fun.”

Erspamer spent a portion of the week visiting various classes. In order to explain the learning style, she used activities and games to share the importance of Braille.

“Braille is great,” she said. “We want to share it with other students. It’s a neat opportunity to have a student in their school who uses Braille. It’s rare.”

In previous years, Erspamer spoke to certain classes at Eugene Field Elementary School, but this is the first year it is being shared with the majority of the middle school.

“The students who use Braille are in the school,” she said. “Kids know they’re here. They see us working with Braille and using different technology most students don’t see on a day-to-day basis. The other kids are interested.”

With the visually-impaired students moving to the district, Erspamer has been working with Braille for the past year and is in the process of becoming certified.

“It’s fabulous and I want to share it,” she said. “I think more people need to be aware that it’s out there, and there are people in our community who use Braille.”

Erspamer said the middle school students welcomed the games and had great ideas about incorporating Braille into their daily lives.

“It’s really important to get them exposed to it,” she said. “Some students may never interact with someone who is blind. Some will, so having that background knowledge is important.”