Braille

Qualification Level

We are proud to be the only organisation in the UK to offer accredited BTEC qualifications in Braille:

BTEC Level 1 Award
Uncontracted Braille for Touch Readers or Sight Readers

BTEC Level 2 Certificate
Contracted Braille for Touch Readers or Sight Readers

BTEC Level 3 Award
Applied Contracted Braille for Touch Readers or Sight Readers

Please note, these are recognised BTEC qualifications, however, they are not regulated by Ofqual or any other regulatory body.

What does the course involve?

Level 1:
Intended for the beginner Braillist and an ideal stepping stone to the BTEC Level 2 Braille course.

You will learn to read and write the alphabet, full stop, capital letter sign, and numbers (using a Perkins Brailler), and be able to produce Braille labels to support independence.

Assessment is by untimed, evidence-based tasks.

'For new students thinking about doing Braille, it's a good skill to have!'

Oliver Frost former RNC student

Level 2:
Ideal for those wishing to efficiently use Braille in their everyday life, education and/or employment, and for those who want to advance to use Braille Technology.

This course qualifies you to read and write contracted Braille - delivered in manageable chunks and evaluated with untimed, evidence-based assessments.

'I plan to use my new skills to more reliably access documents, when in further study or employment.'

Anonymous

Level 3:
Taught across one academic year, you will become familiar with the more complex rules that govern the contracted Braille code. You will practice the correct application of these rules and focus on developing your proofreading skills - as well as evidencing your ability to produce accurate, correctly formatted written work.

Level 3 is portfolio based, and assessed by a timed examination at the end of the academic year.

'I am happy to have achieved the top qualification in Braille!'

Nafis Ansari former RNC student

Requirements

Level 1 (uncontracted) – no previous knowledge of Braille is required.
Level 2 (contracted) – you will need to be able to read and write uncontracted Braille.
Level 3 – successful completion of a timed entry assessment.

Teaching Methods

Braille tuition is provided by experienced, specialist teachers on a one-to-one basis. Lessons are individually tailored to each student so you learn at your own pace, which is closely monitored by the teacher.

Assessment Methods

Standardised assessments covering your knowledge, writing and reading of Braille are carried out at regular intervals throughout the course.

Duration

Levels 1 and 2 - dependent upon individual ability.
Level 3 - one academic year.

Where will it take me?

Learning Braille is an essential skill for those with a visual impairment or a deteriorating eye condition. Being a capable Braillist restores confidence and self-esteem by providing an alternative and/or additional reading, writing, and study medium.

Braille enhances independence when progressing to Higher Education or future employment, empowering those with a visual impairment to compete and succeed in the sighted world. Possible career paths include: teacher of Braille; support worker or translator.

'I can now tutor Braille and I have set up some private tutoring in the Summer break.'

Rowan Todd current RNC student