Albuquerque Public Schools
Creating a World of Words
APS braillist Alexandria Ortiz and team bring learning to life with innovative games.
For many students, learning to read is a milestone filled with excitement and possibility. For visually impaired students in Albuquerque Public Schools, that journey is made possible with the expertise and creativity of Alexandria Ortiz, the district's dedicated braillist.
Ortiz ensures blind and visually impaired students have access to the materials they need to thrive academically, from worksheets and textbooks to tactile graphics and innovative learning tools.
"My main job is to be the braille transcriber for the entire district," Ortiz explained. "That means creating accessible materials for blind and visually impaired children, which can range from a simple worksheet to complex math diagrams and even Navajo braille."
But Ortiz's role goes beyond transcription. She has developed hands-on, interactive ways for students to engage with braille, using creative methods that make learning both effective and fun. One of her most innovative ideas came from an article she read about a teacher using pizza toppings to teach a blind student. Inspired, she developed a braille pizza activity, allowing students to form letters and words using tactile pieces—an approach that gives them independence and control over their learning.
"I think it's really important for them to have that sort of control of their environment, to be able to create and find that, ‘Hey, I just created a letter!’" Ortiz said. "We've had teachers implement it in creative ways, like using it as a menu system where students could ‘order’ items by forming letters in braille."
Ortiz also crafts tactile books to help students grasp visual concepts they might not otherwise experience.
"A lot of times, people take for granted the visual parts of a book," she explained. "These kids might not know what a bear or a frog looks like beyond a description. So I create tactile images they can feel—a frog’s bumpy skin, a cattail’s texture—to help bring those stories to life."
While Ortiz is at the forefront of braille transcription and innovation, she is quick to acknowledge she couldn’t do it without APS's itinerant teachers, who provide specialized instruction and services for students with disabilities.
"The most important relationship is with our itinerant teachers and hub school teachers," Ortiz said. "They know these students so well—their capabilities, their learning styles and what excites them. We collaborate constantly to ensure the materials we create support each student’s individual learning goals."
Ortiz is passionate about preserving and promoting braille literacy, especially in a world where technology is often seen as a replacement for traditional reading.
"Braille is independence," she emphasized. "It allows students to read at their own pace, without relying on technology or another person. It’s like teaching a sighted child to write with a pencil before introducing them to a tablet—it’s a fundamental skill."
Despite the life-changing impact of APS's services for visually impaired students, many families are unaware they exist. Ortiz hopes to change that.
"People don’t always know what we offer," she said. "Some parents only find out through word of mouth. But our services are here, and we’re excited to provide them. We just need to make sure families know we’re here to help."
Ortiz’s work, alongside APS’s dedicated team of educators, ensures visually impaired students have the tools they need to learn, explore and grow. Thanks to their creativity, collaboration and passion, braille is more than just a code—it’s a gateway to opportunity.
To learn more about APS's services for blind and visually impaired students, families can visit the district's website or contact the Special Education Department.