The Battle of Braille: Is Reading or Writing More Important

Learning braille can be a challenging and time-consuming process, regardless of whether you are learning to read or to type it. However, some people may find typing braille easier than reading it, while others may find the opposite to be true. Here are some factors that may influence this:

Advantages of typing braille:

1. Typing can be faster than reading, as you do not need to decode each individual character by touch.
2. Typing can be more precise, as it is easier to correct mistakes than with handwriting.
3. Typing can be more convenient, as you can use a computer or other electronic device to produce and edit braille documents.

Disadvantages of typing braille:

1. It requires learning a separate system of typing commands and keyboard shortcuts.
2. It may be less intuitive than reading braille, as you need to learn how to navigate and edit the text on a screen or device.
3. It may be less widely available or accessible than reading braille, as not all electronic devices or software programs support braille input.
4. If you would like to type in Braille on a smartphone, you need to use the Braille screen input that most smatphone’s support. This is highly prone to error because the calibration of fingers to the dots on the touchscreen, which cannot be distinguished by feel, needs to be exact. This can be difficult to achieve.

Advantages of reading braille:

1. Reading braille can provide a more direct and tactile experience of the text, as you feel the raised dots with your fingers.
2. Reading braille can be more flexible, as you can read it in a variety of settings and without electronic devices.
3. Reading braille can be more widely recognized and accepted, as it is a standard system of written communication for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Disadvantages of reading braille:

1. It requires learning a new set of symbols and patterns, which can take time and practice.
2. It may be more difficult to read complex or technical materials, as braille has some limitations in representing certain characters and symbols.
3. It may be more time-consuming to produce or obtain braille materials, as they often require specialised equipment or services.