Accessibility Library Celia offers fiction and non-fiction books and text books for the primary school level in Finnish, Swedish and other languages in Braille format. Braille books are intended for people who are blind or have impaired vision. There are approximately 5,000 Braille books available for loan.
The contents of Braille books are presented in tactile dot-based writing. Braille takes up more space than printed text, which is why one tactile book consists of several tactile sheet books. One line on an A4-sized page holds 30 dots.
Celia offers a variety of dot and raised sign materials for teaching and learning from preschool all the way to the university level. Braille textbooks often contain embossed images and maps printed on plastic or swell paper. The colouring and relevant information of the image is represented by means of different textures.
Illustrated tactile books develop the readiness of visually impaired children to learn Braille. Illustrated tactile books are picture books which can be explored by touch. In addition to text, the books feature colourful three-dimensional raised pictures made of different materials.
The illustrated tactile book collection at Accessibility Library Celia includes around 1,400 different picture books: first reader books, nursery rhymes and poems, fairy tales, stories, activity books, and other literature supporting the child’s development. Illustrated tactile books are suitable for children with visual and multiple disabilities, autism, and developmental disabilities and for young people and adults with developmental disabilities.
In addition to illustrated tactile books, there are a variety of Braille picture books available for children to practice their Braille and raised picture reading either independently or together with an adult.
LEGO Braille Bricks are a playful method of teaching Braille to children who are blind or have impaired vision. Seeing students can also attend LEGO Braille Bricks sessions in class.