What is moon? Moon is a simple tactile code developed by Dr William Moon in 1847. It is an alternative reading method to braille. Because moon is based on the shapes of letters in the written alphabet, it is a less complicated reading system than braille (see below and click for a larger image). If you’d like a tactile moon alphabet card contact us [link to contact us] for your copy. Moon is primarily used by: - Children and adults who have a visual impairment and additional disabilities, such as a learning disability, who are unable to learn braille.
- Adults who have lost their sight later in life or who have poor sensitivity in their fingers.
In order to lead independent lives a growing number of adults with a visual impairment rely on everyday information being provided in moon, but very little is available. The UK Moon Forum exists to promote the availability of moon and their website has information on the teaching and production of moon. [link to moonliteracy.org.uk] Moon has traditionally been produced using swell paper, where letter shapes are made up of solid raised lines. However, the enhancement of technology has made it possible to produce 'dotty moon' where shapes are made of braille dots. Dotted moon is much cheaper to produce than traditional moon. Pia produces both moon and dotty moon, depending on the user's requirements. For instance, some readers prefer one format to the other.
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