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Project INSPIRE: Increasing the STEM Potential of Individuals Who Read Braille Through Self-Paced Free Courses for Professionals

Announcement of free self-paced courses for TVIs, paraprofessionals, families and others working with braille students to practice the use of Nemeth Code within the UEB Context.

By Tina Herzberg, Sara Larkin, Susan Osterhaus, and Penny Rosenblum

Welcome to Project INSPIRE: Increasing the STEM Potential of Individuals Who Read Braille—a 5-year grant funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (H235E190003).

Our Courses for Those Supporting Braille Learners

We have developed free, self-paced courses for TVIs, paraprofessionals, braillists, transcribers, and others who support braille learners.

Over the last 3 years, our focus has been on Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts. During the final 2 years of the project we will develop courses focused on UEB Technical as well as materials for youth in both codes. Follow us on Facebook or sign up to get notifications of upcoming courses and other events. 

The following courses are available:

Nemeth in a Box Materials

As part of Project INSPIRE’s commitment to increase STEM braille literacy we have designed Nemeth in a Box for Middle School Students.

Nemeth in a Box is seven lessons that teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) or others (e.g., paraprofessionals, family members) can use to review and/or introduce Nemeth Code symbols at the middle level and review math concepts in a fun way. 

Mission INSPIRE

As part of Project INSPIRE’s commitment to increase STEM braille literacy we have designed Mission INSPIRE for students ages 11-15.

Mission INSPIRE is a set of activities that teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) or others (e.g., science teachers, science fair organizers, family members) can use to provide students an opportunity to participate in hands-on science learning through an inquiry-based experience.

Spring 2024

  • For Professionals: We are currently offering our seven courses to those who signed up in February. You can access the six courses (see links above) at any time, however, you will not be asked to take a pretest and posttest, nor will you receive a certificate or ACVREP CEUs.
  • Happy Hours: Project INSPIRE is sponsoring two Happy Hours open to anyone who would like to join us. Happy Hours are on Thursdays from 6-7 PM Eastern/ 5-6 PM Central / 4-5 PM Mountain, and 3-4 PM Pacific. Recordings of the Happy Hours will be posted on this page.

Using the Desmos Calculator with Sara Larkin

(February 29, 2024)


  • For Students in Grades 6-12: Project INSPIRE is holding its Mathlete Competition via Zoom on May 4. Mathletes will compete in reading, writing, and proofreading events using either Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts or UEB Math. Learn more about the competition 

Follow us on Facebook or sign up to get notifications of upcoming courses and other events.