Some parents and even teachers ask, "Why teach Braille," when there are other ways a blind or visually impaired individual can access the same information. Why shouldn't we hold accountable Braille literacy for the visually impaired as we hold literacy standards for the sighted world? Depending on what statistics you evaluate, literacy among the visually impaired is as low as 12%! Not only is Braille great for just reading books, but what about for note taking in class, labeling, recipe cards, an address book and so on. High tech devices are wonderful, but the cost can be upwards in the thousands of dollars! Also, keep in mind that what works for one individual with low vision, such as CCTV's and large print, may not work for another. Think of how much time it takes to finish a task, complete a homework assignment, or read a book, using large print. These are just a few of the advantages of having the skills to read and write Braille. To teach or not to teach Braille should be handled on a case by case basis.

Sighted preschoolers are exposed to letters and words all around them. Whether it is in their classroom, at the grocery store, or a trip to a fast food restaurant. Prebraille skills expose blind and visually impaired children to Braille in the same way, but instead of seeing letters and words, they are feeling them. Sighted children use crayons and pencils to begin letter writing, blind and visually impaired children use a Brailler. Mom and dad will sit their sighted child on their lap and read them stories, helping their child turn pages of a book. They will teach them the top of a page, the bottom of a page, turning the corners of the pages to get to the next page and so on. The same skills are necessary for blind and visually impaired children although some of these steps may be done hand over hand. Prereading skills and prebraille skills have the same outcomes except they are taught in different ways and with different materials. Braille illiteracy is on the rise. Every blind and visually impaired child should be given the opportunity to learn Braille if that is what will work for them. It should not be a choice of last resort!