Book Week Visit: Exploring Braille and Tactile Books
As part of our Book Week, we took our students to the Bratislava City Library to visit the section dedicated to blind and visually impaired readers. What we expected to be an interesting trip quickly turned into a very engaging and memorable experience for everyone involved.
The session was highly interactive from the start. Students learned how blind people read using Braille—where it comes from, how it developed, and where we might encounter it in everyday life. They also had the chance to try reading simple Braille words themselves. It wasn’t easy, but that challenge made the activity even more engaging.
One of the highlights was exploring tactile illustrations in books for blind readers. Instead of looking at pictures, students used touch to “read” the images. It was fascinating to see them slow down and focus on details in a completely different way.
We also discussed how blind people navigate the world safely and independently, including the use of white canes and guide dogs. This sparked many thoughtful questions, particularly about how people should behave when they meet a blind person in public and how to offer help in a respectful way.
Throughout the visit, students showed great curiosity and asked excellent questions. It was a valuable addition to our Book Week and a great reminder that reading and communication can take many different forms.
