{"id":932,"date":"2022-02-21T13:47:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T13:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=932"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:53:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:53:47","slug":"block-alphabet","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/ways-of-communicating\/block-alphabet\/","title":{"rendered":"Block alphabet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This page describes what Block alphabet is and how to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Sense can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We offer free and impartial information about living with complex needs, including deafblindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also offer services all over the UK, including day services<\/a>, community support<\/a> and residential care<\/a>. Talk to our team to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get in touch by phone, email, post or through a BSL interpreter<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

What is Block alphabet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Block alphabet is a simple way to communicate using touch, not sight or speech. Words are spelt in block capital letters on to the palm of your hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who uses Block alphabet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Block alphabet is used by people who are deafblind<\/a>. It can be especially helpful if you lose your sight and hearing later in life. It\u2019s even easier to learn than Deafblind Manual<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before you read on\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • You can communicate using a mix of different ways (we all do!)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • At Sense, we use whatever combination of speech, touch, sign or visual language works best.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • It\u2019s never too late to start.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Have a go and don\u2019t worry about getting it wrong.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

    Top tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    • Use the whole of the palm for each letter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Make the letters large and clear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Start each letter from left to right and from top to bottom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Draw each letter on top of the last one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Pause slightly at the end of each word.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • With M, N<\/strong> and W<\/strong>, keep your finger on the person\u2019s palm and draw the letter in one stroke, not separate strokes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • For numbers<\/strong>, you can either spell them out or just draw them as figures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,<\/strong> and so on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Use the plain figure 7<\/strong>, not the continental version with the bar through it, 7<\/s><\/strong>,<\/s> as this is easily confused with the figure 2<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      Watch how to use the Block alphabet<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
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