Ukrainian-English dictionary in Braille: working together for accessibility
Recently, the team at the Barrier-Free Ukraine Resource Centre took part in a unique educational project that makes learning English more accessible for blind and visually impaired people.
The initiative to create a Ukrainian-English dictionary in Braille belongs to Yaroslav Sydorenko, a teacher from Kropyvnytskyi.
The dictionary is small in size but extremely practical: it contains 500 of the most commonly used English words.
Its structure is designed for effective learning. Each word is presented according to the following principle:
Ukrainian word – part of speech – synonyms – English (British) equivalent – transcription.
Importantly, in addition to Braille, the dictionary also contains enlarged Cyrillic print. This is important both for blind students and for those who help them (parents, teachers, sighted friends).
We have adapted the dictionary for the needs of blind people; it is easy to use and has a hard cover.
It is the only publication in Ukraine in this format and with this level of accessibility.
It will be useful for a wide range of users:
- Children who are just beginning to learn a foreign language.
- Adults who want to learn a new language or expand their vocabulary.
Working together on this project is a step towards inclusive education and ensuring equal access to knowledge.
