Introducing a Braille Display to a Child Who Is Deafblind

Liam's TVI at school introduced the Focus 14 early on in first grade, as soon as Liam was able to recognize his ABC's.  The Focus 14 from Freedom Scientific is a refreshable braille display that has 14 refreshable braille cells.  We use Liam's Focus 14 with either an iPad or and iPhone.  It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth.  

 

 

At school they started out using the Focus 14 to reinforce sight words and new contractions that he learned during his lessons.  Liam was allowed to touch only the refreshable braille display at first.  Slowly, as the months went on, he began reading sentences on the Focus 14 and was then taught how to push the buttons to scroll through his sentences.  He was also taught how to type words onto the Focus 14, just as he would on his Perkins Brailler.   They call the Focus 14 the "Important Braille Computer" at school.  It is treated as a privilege to use it and he loves it.  We have one at home and school.  

 

 

Future goals using a refreshable braille display would eventually be for Liam to navigate through the internet, send and receive email messages, text friends and family, etc.   I am thankful for the gift of technology and what this means for my son!