Visually Impaired Resource Guide Assistive Technology for Students who use Braille Pocket Slate and Stylus

There are a variety of different slates available. Most often they consist of a metal or plastic template that contain four rows of 28 braille cells. Attached to the template of the pocket slate is a front panel with an array of corresponding "open" braille cells. A sheet of paper is placed between the two parts of the slate and clamped into place. Braille is produced by the stylus being inserted through the front panel, onto the paper and against the template thus creating raised dots. The pocket slate is portable and is, often, more useful to the student than the desk slate.

Time line: Grade 5 - Mastery

Prerequisite Skills

• good fine motor skills
• ability to use two hands cooperatively
• ability to align paper at the top of the slate
• use appropriate grasp with stylus
• capable of finger strength and dexterity
• capable of hand strength and flexibility
• knowledge of Grade 2 braille
• ability to understand the rules for literary braille code
• knowledge of left and right
• ability to follow multiple directions
• good organizational skills
• ability to take care of equipment

Skills

• load paper with punched holes so that the holes are on the right
• line up paper with left edge of slate.
• place the top edge of paper over the pins of the clamp
• close the paper clamp
• know the location of six dots
  • top, middle, bottom first side
  • top, middle, bottom second side
• learn letters with reference to these positions - letter d is described as top on first side and top middle of second side
• hold the stylus in a vertical position to write easy letters first
• learn letters in following sequence a, c, d, e, b, l, p, f, g, h, k, m, n, q, v, u, x, y, j, i, o, r, s, t, w, z,
• learn words first that do not contain braille contractions
• proceed to sentences with single letter words "I will go, or I will have it"
• learn to exert a small amount of pressure on the stylus

Strategies

• emphasize that one writes in opposite direction when using the slate (not backwards). Use the analogy of a train travelling from east to west and west to east to describe writing in the opposite direction (People sitting on the train do not travel backwards when the train moves in the opposite direction)
• make sure equipment is in good working condition
• use the slate in classes that do not require limited amounts of writing, like Spelling or French
• some pocket slate practice sentences:
  • You will braille fast on the slate.
  • It was quiet, but one bird sang.
  • I sat on the top step and cried.
  • The wind tossed the tall grass.
  • The hare ate the apple happily.
  • We like to hold the newborn baby.
  • The horse ran as fast as the wind.
  • I felt as cool as a cucumber.
  • It was so hot that I went for a swim.
  • Today as it rained, I ran in the rain.
  • Accuracy should always come before speed.
  • With some knowledge one can go far said the teacher.
  • The sinking sun was a pretty sight.
  • The jet flew across the gray sky.
  • It rained cats and dogs all day.
  • Mr. Jensen plays the harmonica.
  • He is a good player and I like him.
  • I like to listen to him play his music.
  • Many hands make light work said my mother.
  • Hard work is good for the soul!
  • I cant wait for summer to come.

Resources

Literary Braille Practice Sentences by Dorothy Quentin Joseph Exceptional Teaching Aids 20102 Woodbine Ave. Castro Valley, CA 94546 (510) 582-4859

Video Sally Mangold Teaching Slate and Stylus (PRCVI) [refer to the Vision Resource Teacher in your area for further information]

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