6 years ago my mother lost her eyesight in her left eye and she began to consider to learn how to read Braille, shortly after she lost her interest in doing so (today she has a better eyesight in her right eye than before). Even so I looked for information about braille and I discovered that it isn't universal (if you know how to speak English and Hebrew you would have to learn both in Braille if you intend to use both).
They have Grade 1 (like a regular alphabet), Grade 2 and Grade 3. The last two are contractions and abbreviations, Grade 2 Braille (more complex) seems to be a more universal writing/reading style. It doesn't seems fair that people that are blind or that are loosing their sight should learn more than one "Braille Alphabet" to communicate.
Do you have anyone near you that knows Braille?