Paths to Literacy for Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

01/26/2026

Celebrate braille with Braille Boost 2026! Each year a group of organizations from across Canada get together to plan and deliver virtual activities to celebrate braille and what it represents to the learners that we serve. This year's theme is: Winter Olympics!

Paths to Literacy Braille Boost 2026. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/23/2026

Think outside the box to get literacy in! This TVI combined braille skills with the Montessori way at her student's preschool program.

Paths to Literacy Thinking Outside the Box To Get Literacy In. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/22/2026

Important information is often presented by charts, graphs, pictures, and other visually interesting formats. It takes lots of experiences and systematic instruction for tactile learners to become efficient in accessing and interpreting that information with their fingers -- and in each grade, there are new types of graphics to learn!
So, how can students be introduced to tactile graphics? Check out our overview of tactile graphics for ideas!

Paths to Literacy Tactile Graphics. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/21/2026

When should braille instruction begin? What are the best strategies to support learning braille and what materials are already available for teachers?
Braille instruction builds on a foundation of basic concepts, spatial awareness, tactile discrimination and real-life experiences. Check out our post with instructional strategies for teaching braille literacy!

Paths to Literacy Instructional Strategies for Teaching Braille Literacy. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/20/2026

Create single letter contraction books for students learning braille! These books are made in house using lightweight cardboard for durability with tactile items glued on the pages.

Paths to Literacy Creating Tactile Books to Teach Single Letter Contractions. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/19/2026

Make grocery shopping into a functional living lesson for students with deafblindness and complex needs. In this post, a TVI shares a successful community-based instruction lesson that demonstrates the incredible capabilities of students with multiple disabilities when provided with appropriate accommodations and high expectations.

Paths to Literacy Grocery Shopping: A Functional Living Lesson for Students with Deafblindness and Complex Needs. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/16/2026

Which tool is best for the task? Tools for writing braille vary from low to high tech. Check out this introduction to tools used to write braille, such as braille writer, slate and stylus, braille note-taker, assistive technology and sample goals and objectives

Paths to Literacy Tools for Writing Braille. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/15/2026

These activities are designed to provide youth who are blind or have low vision with systematic, targeted experiences that give them the opportunity to explore transportation options as part of their O&M learning.

Paths to Literacy Filling Your Transportation Toolbox. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/14/2026

This creative TSVI and mom of a teen who is deafblind, shares with us the strategies they use when using his cell phone to create independent skills.

Paths to Literacy Seeing AI: Text Recognition App and More. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/13/2026

Learn to design inclusive, multi-sensory print materials with clear strategies, tactile supports, and practical accessibility tips for diverse learners.

Paths to Literacy Create Inclusive, Multi-Sensory Learning Materials Using Print-Based Resources. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments

01/12/2026

It's time for the January Expanded Core Curriculum Challenge! January's theme is: Career Education. Check out activities and ideas at the link or choose your own!
Anyone who works with blind or low vision students can participate -- make sure you register for a chance to win a gift card each month!
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/january-ecc-skill-career-education/

01/09/2026

Language can have significant impact on any area of the Expanded Core Curriculum, but addressing early literacy for our functionally blind, Spanish-speaking students can seem particularly daunting for school staff and families alike. Check out this post for answers to some commonly asked questions about teaching braille to Spanish-speaking students and English Language Learners (ELL, ESL).

Paths to Literacy Spanish Braille and English Language Learners. For teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments