The study involving 96 undergraduates with no previous experience with braille investigated variables (such as size of the braille symbols) affecting the learning of braille. Data were analyzed in terms of the number of correct responses, item difficulty, and error patterns. Visual Ss did better than haptic Ss on the regular bralle items but not on large braille items. Findings supported the prediction that visual examination of the items facilitates the establishment of a stable, discriminable encoding for each item. Results also suggested that the relative difficulty of an item, and the tendency for items to be confused with one another are each relatively independent of the mode in which the items are presented on the study trials, and of the size of the items on study trials. Tables and graphs with statistical data are included. (SBH)