The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille

Merve Demirdöven; Burak Acar; Ömer Miraç Yaman

doi:10.46778/goputeb.1667160

TR EN

Yazının Dokunsal Yolculuğu: Görme Engelli Bireylerin Braille Kullanım Deneyimleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, görme engelli bireylerin Braille yazıyı kullanım deneyimlerini, günlük yaşamlarındaki işlevlerini ve Braille yazıya yönelik toplumsal beklentileri incelemektedir. Nitel araştırma yöntemiyle yürütülen çalışmada, fenomenolojik yaklaşım benimsenmiş ve Braille yazıyı bilen 15 görme engelli bireyle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiş ve üç ana tema çerçevesinde sunulmuştur. Bulgular, katılımcıların Braille yazıyı farklı yaşlarda ve öğrenme ortamlarında edindiğini, Braille kullanımının bireysel ve toplumsal yaşamda önemli bir rol oynadığını, ancak çeşitli faktörlerin kullanımını sınırladığını ortaya koymaktadır. Braille’in okuryazarlık, bağımsızlık ve akademik başarı açısından önemli avantajlar sunduğu, ancak kaynak erişimi, eğitim eksiklikleri ve teknolojik gelişmelerin etkisiyle kullanım oranlarının düştüğü belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, Braille yazıya yönelik toplumsal farkındalığın düşük olduğu ve destekleyici uygulamaların yetersiz kaldığı anlaşılmıştır. Çalışma, Braille yazının yaygınlaştırılması için eğitim politikalarının güçlendirilmesi, teknolojik çözümlerle desteklenmesi ve Braille’e yönelik toplumsal farkındalığın artırılması için medya ve eğitim yoluyla bilinçlendirme çalışmalarının yapılmasının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Görme Engelli, Braille, Braille Yazı, Okuryazarlık, Eğitim

The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of individuals with visual impairments in using Braille, its functions in their daily lives, and their societal expectations regarding Braille literacy. Employing a qualitative research design, the study adopts a phenomenological approach based on semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 Braille-literate individuals with visual impairments. Data were analyzed using content analysis and presented under three main themes. The findings reveal that participants acquired Braille at various ages and in different learning environments. While Braille plays a significant role in both individual and social contexts, multiple factors limit its usage. Braille offers critical advantages in terms of literacy, independence, and academic success; however, access to resources, educational gaps, and the impact of technological developments have contributed to a decline in its usage. The study also found that societal awareness of Braille remains low and supportive practices are insufficient. It emphasizes the need to strengthen educational policies, promote the use of assistive technologies, and enhance public awareness through media and educational initiatives to ensure the wider adoption of Braille.

Keywords

Visual Impairment, Braille, Braille Writing, Literacy, Education

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was received from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee dated 07.02.2023 and numbered 2023_82.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sight Disabled Education, Educational Technology and Computing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Merve Demirdöven
0000-0002-4282-6391
Türkiye

Burak Acar ^*
0000-0003-4765-3319
Türkiye

Ömer Miraç Yaman
0000-0001-9989-8575
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 20, 2025

Publication Date

November 29, 2025

Submission Date

March 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 13 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1667160

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA84AL58JA

APA

Demirdöven, M., Acar, B., & Yaman, Ö. M. (2025). The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, 13(3), 1377-1417. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1667160

AMA

1.Demirdöven M, Acar B, Yaman ÖM. The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille. IJTES. 2025;13(3):1377-1417. doi:10.46778/goputeb.1667160

Chicago

Demirdöven, Merve, Burak Acar, and Ömer Miraç Yaman. 2025. “The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals With Visual Impairments in Using Braille”. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences 13 (3): 1377-1417. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1667160.

EndNote

Demirdöven M, Acar B, Yaman ÖM (November 1, 2025) The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences 13 3 1377–1417.

IEEE

[1]M. Demirdöven, B. Acar, and Ö. M. Yaman, “The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille”, IJTES, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 1377–1417, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.46778/goputeb.1667160.

ISNAD

Demirdöven, Merve - Acar, Burak - Yaman, Ömer Miraç. “The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals With Visual Impairments in Using Braille”. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences 13/3 (November 1, 2025): 1377-1417. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1667160.

JAMA

1.Demirdöven M, Acar B, Yaman ÖM. The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille. IJTES. 2025;13:1377–1417.

MLA

Demirdöven, Merve, et al. “The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals With Visual Impairments in Using Braille”. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, vol. 13, no. 3, Nov. 2025, pp. 1377-1, doi:10.46778/goputeb.1667160.

Vancouver

1.Merve Demirdöven, Burak Acar, Ömer Miraç Yaman. The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille. IJTES. 2025 Nov. 1;13(3):1377-41. doi:10.46778/goputeb.1667160

Yazının Dokunsal Yolculuğu: Görme Engelli Bireylerin Braille Kullanım Deneyimleri

Abstract

Keywords

The Tactile Journey of Writing: Experiences of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Using Braille

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite