Hadley

Contracted Braille Writing 12 – Dot 5 Words

Hadley Presents Contracted Braille Writing Workshop 12: Dot 5 Words.

If you don't already know how to read dot 5 words, we recommend first doing Hadley's Reading Workshop, Contracted Braille Workshop 12: Dot 5 Words.

Begin by putting paper in your writing device, using the writing device you have available to you, including the slate and stylus, the Perkins brailler, or an electronic note taker.

Also, you will need your braille workbook. If you don't already have one, call Hadley at 847-784-2816 and we'll mail one right out to you.

Okay, let's take a fast look at this first set of dot 5 words. Turn to page 1 in the workbook. At the top of the page, read the dot 5 words: day, some, time, name, hear, under, work.

Now let's practice writing these dot 5 words in a short passage. The paragraphs you'll be writing will be read in this audio. They will also be written in uncontracted braille in your workbook. Turn to page 2 of the workbook to find the uncontracted braille paragraphs. You can use these uncontracted braille paragraphs on pages 2 through 4 to check the spelling of words and names, and to check how numbers and other symbols are to be written. Capitalization and punctuation will be read aloud only as needed for clarity.

Okay, let's start writing a five-paragraph passage about the responsibilities of a guide dog. To begin, start on a new line, and indent two spaces. Be sure to use capitalization and punctuation as you would in print, and do not divide words between lines. Indent and begin the first paragraph:

Some people assume getting a guide dog is like getting a pet.

But, comma, getting a guide dog is a big job.

If the day comes, comma, you will want to understand all the things that affect this choice.

You will apply with a guide dog agency, comma, and each agency has a list of guidelines for applying.

For the second paragraph, write:

Here are some things you may be asked, comma, namely, colon, Are you secure with travel and cane skills?

Are you adept at traveling with a cane, comma, and able to navigate a familiar area?

Have you learned how to take care of a dog, comma, and do you have enough time to work with the dog in the daytime and at night?

Will the family enjoy having an energetic dog when he is not working?

The dog will be here to keep you safe, comma, but you will need to understand safe travel and be acquainted with the routes.

You will be under scrutiny, comma, so you will need to teach people they can't pet a working dog.

Now begin the third paragraph:

If you are selected, comma, it will take time to complete the process of matching you with a dog.

You will be trained while the dog is undertaking his own training.

You may spend 14 or more days learning to work with each other and build trust.

Herein lies the bulk of the work and will require the most time.

Now let's begin a new paragraph, and write:

A guide dog starts his training at approximately 8 weeks old, so he can learn to control impulses, comma, understand that he is to come when his name is called, comma, and obey all commands.

The dog will wear an official coat with the name of his job, to help others recognize he is working.

Sometimes, you and the dog will attract notice.

You will need to help others realize that he can't play or be petted when he is working.

Now begin the last paragraph:

You will need to understand some of what the dog is able to do.

Namely, comma, his job is to help you do things, like locate the elevator, comma, find a crosswalk button, comma, stop you from veering into the street, comma, navigate crowds, comma, and more.

He is not a GPS system, and he can't read traffic signals, comma, but he is trained to spot an unsafe item you can't see, and help you go a safer way.

You can now check your work by comparing your paragraphs to the contracted braille on pages 5 and 6. Did you use the dot 5 words, in longer words, like, herein, and, namely?

Congratulations! You've learned to write a first set of dot 5 words. If you have any questions or thoughts to share, we'd love to hear them. Just reach out to the Hadley Braille experts at 847-784-2816.