International Days
World Braille Day
January 4th 2024
Get ready; it’s time to celebrate World Braille Day! You may wonder what it’s all about and why it’s worth celebrating. Well, let’s talk about that so we can spread the word and invite more people to celebrate!
The invention of braille exceedingly improved the human rights of people with blindness. Braille documents allow people with impaired vision to remain independent and not rely on sighted people to interpret plain text writing for them. Reading personal information, like bank statements and healthcare forms, keep their information confidential.
What is?
The celebration of the World Braille Day is every year on January 4th, because it’s Louis Braille’s birthday. He’s the creator of braille! Louis was born in 1809 in France and became unable to see after a childhood accident. Nevertheless, he quickly mastered his new way of living; when He was only fifteen years old, he created a reading and writing system based on Charles Barbier’s night writing system. People know Louis’ system today ad a braille. Adjusted over time, braille is now easier to read and used worldwide!
Why is it celebrating?
World Braille Day is a reminder of the importance of accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Today’s reality is that many establishments, such as restaurants, banks, shops, hospitals don’t offer braille versions of their print materials like menus, statements and also bills. Because of this, people with blindness often don’t have the freedom to choose a meal on their own or keep their finances private.
Everyone warrants the same accommodations and services, headless of ability. Each of everyone can do something to make our workplaces more accessible for everyone.
Furthermore Braille is often a preferred method for reading certain documents.
To make an example, having a menu to read on one’s own allows braille readers to take part in conversations while browsing food options. Moreover, having a braille bank statement to review provides convenience that other accessible formats don’t offer.