Braille is a system of touch reading for the blind which employs embossed dots evenly arranged in quadrangular letter spaces or cells. In each cell, it is possible to place six dots, three high and two wide. By selecting one or several dots in characteristic position or combination, 63 different characters can be formed. To aid in describing these characters by their dot or dots, the six dots of the cell are numbered 1,2,3, downward on the left, and 4, 5, 6, downward on the right, thus:

The 63 possible characters have a systematic arrangement and are universally grouped in a table of seven lines, as follows:

Line 1 is formed of dots 1,2,4,5.

Line 2 adds dot 3 to each of the characters of Line 1.

Line 3 adds dots 3-6 to each of the characters of Line 1.

Line 4 adds dot 6 to each of the characters of Line 1.

Line 5 repeats the characters of Line 1 in the lower portion of the cell, using dots 2, 3, 5, 6.

Line 6 is formed of dots 3, 4, 5, 6.

Line 7 is formed of dots 4, 5, 6.

Literary Braille, as officially approved, comprises two grades. Grade 1 Braille is in full spelling and consists of the letters of the alphabet, punctuation, numbers, and a number of composition signs which are special to Braille. Grade 2 Braille consists of Grade 1 and 189 contractions and short-form words, and should be known as "English Braille." However, uncontracted Braille should be designated as "English Braille Code Grade 1.

For more information about Braille, visit the Braille Authority of North America’s website, www.brailleauthority.org.