Astrid Kristin Vik, Senior Adviser / Ph.D. and Jorun Hauge, Senior Adviser at Statped

Introduction to braille

- Supporting pupils in primary schools in Norway

This presentation will focus on experiences from how pupils are introduced to braille and supported in their literacy development.

In Norway pupils who are intended to be braille readers enter their local schools, and have their education within the inclusive school system. The local school is responsible for the pupil's education, including instruction to braille. The school needs to build competence in braille and how to teach a pupil who is blind. The local government receives services and support from the Norwegian support system for pupils with special educational needs - Statped. The services are courses for teachers, pupils and parents, guidance, production of materials in braille, and evaluation of a child's visual functioning. In 2014 a new material for introduction to braille for young readers was developed. The material is designed for pupils who learn braille in an inclusive school. Experiences from using material and best practice from the classrooms will be presented. The presentation will also focus on the pupils' legal rights to extra lessons for instruction in braille and the possibilities and challenges related to instruction in an inclusive context.