WTBBL closed to public
Starting July 1, 2025, the library building will be open by appointment only and phones will go to voicemail due to loss of funding. Services continue as usual. Learn more about the library budget shortfall.
Braille Resources
Below are resources on where to buy books in braille, where to get materials produced in braille and resources for learning braille.
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Braille Books
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WTBBL patrons have access to tens of thousands of hardcopy braille titles through our mail-based library loaning program, and ebraille titles via BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download site from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). You can even request books on BARD as Braille-on-Demand titles to keep. If you’re looking for a book that’s not in our collection, try these resources.
American Printing House for the Blind Press (APH Press)
APH is the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind or have low vision. APH Press publishes educational content, including textbooks for teacher preparatory programs, in the field of blindness and visual impairment to support teachers, families, and other professionals. For more information, call 502-895-2405 or email [email protected].The Braille Superstore
The Braille Superstore has thousands of braille books, toys, games, kitchen aids, and talking products for kids, parents, teachers, and other adults. You can even email them suggestions at [email protected]. For more information, call 800-987-1231 or email [email protected].National Braille Press (NBP)
NBP empowers the blind and visually impaired with programs, materials, and technology supporting braille literacy and learning through touch. Through the NBP Bookstore, you can shop for kids' books, cookbooks, resources for parents and teachers, and more. Textbooks are available here. For more information, call 617-266-6160 ext. 520 or email [email protected].Ogden Resource Center
The Ogden Resource Center (ORC) at the Washington State School for the Blind provides textbooks and educational materials only. The ORC combines Washington’s Instructional Resource Center for blind and low vision students with the Braille Access Center which produces braille for schools, state agencies and other clients through a partnership with Correctional Industries at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. For more information, call 360-947-3344 or email [email protected].Seedlings
Seedlings offers braille books for children. Click the “Shop” button and you can search by bestsellers, diversity, Newberry Award winners, and more. In addition to braille books, they have braille flashcards, alphabet blocks, and braille gifts. For more information, call 734-427-8552 or 800 777-8552, or email [email protected]. -
Braille Production Services
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The following offer braille transcription and embossing services.
Beth D. Marsau - Northwest Braille Services
360-201-1021 / [email protected]Central Access at Central Washington University
509-963-1371 / [email protected]Ogden Resource Center - Braille Services
Washington State School for the Blind
360-947-3340 / [email protected]National Braille Press
888-965-8965 / [email protected]Seattle Services for the Blind (SSB)
206-200-4642 / [email protected] -
Learning Braille
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Interested in learning braille? Check out these organizations.
BrailleBuzz App - Braille Basics - The American Printing House for the Blind
Combining fun sounds and activities, the BrailleBuzz App for early learners provides an introduction to braille, help identifying braille letters, and teaching the skills necessary to perform basic activities in the app. For more information, call 800-223-1839.Hadley - Learning Braille Workshops
Hadley offers braille classes by sight or touch online and by mail. Courses are grouped by the alphabet, numbers, punctuation, and special symbols. Hadley staff are there to assist you. For more information, call 800-323-4238 or email [email protected].National Federation of the Blind - Braille Certification
Interested in being a braille transcriber or proofreader? The NFB offers a number of braille certification courses. Getting the certifications requires the submission of work on a regular basis to a braille expert, but doing it on your own and not going for certification is also an option. NFB has courses in literary braille, mathematical braille, and music braille transcribing, as well as literary braille and mathematical braille proofreading. For more information, call 410-659-9314 or email [email protected].Paths to Literacy - Braille Lessons in UEB
Paths to Literacy is a collaboration between the Perkins School for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). Through their site, you can teach yourself braille. These free UEB braille lessons can be downloaded by parents, families, teachers and anyone interested in supporting braille literacy. For more information, call 520-621-1223 or email [email protected].UEB Online Accessible Braille Training (Australia) - NextSense Institute
Administered by Australia's NextSense Institute, this website offers online training programs and competency exams in braille literacy and mathematics using the Unified English Braille (UEB) code. Each training program is offered free of charge, with an optional administration fee of AU$50 for a course completion certificate. The purpose of the UEB Online website is to provide systematic instruction and accreditation in UEB for people worldwide who are teaching and promoting braille for persons with blindness, low vision, and DeafBlindness. For more information, email [email protected].Unified English Braille: An Introduction
From the Wisconsin Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, this is a six-part series that explains many of the changes that occurred with the transition from English Braille American Edition (EBAE) to Unified English Braille (UEB) in 2016. Through YouTube videos, participants will learn about terminology, contractions and shortforms, modes, capitalization, prefixes and roots, email addresses and URLs, technical material, symbols and indicators. For more information, call 866-284-1107 x 4928 or email [email protected].