World Braille Day

What is Braille?

Braille is a touch reading and writing system developed in the early 19th century by Louis Braille, a French educator who was blind himself. It is used by people who are blind or have low vision as a way to read and write independently.

Since its invention, braille has greatly increased the independence and literacy of individuals who are blind or have low vision. It is an important tool for enabling them to communicate and access information on their own. The importance of braille extends beyond individual empowerment; It has also helped to bridge the gap between the sighted and non-sighted communities by providing a way for the two groups to communicate and share written information.

How Does Braille Work?

How Does Braille Work? The braille system uses a grid of six dots, with each dot representing one of two possible states: raised or not raised. By using different combinations of raised and not raised dots, braille is able to represent all 26 letters of the alphabet, as well as punctuation marks and other symbols.

To write braille, a person can use a braille writer, which is a device similar to a typewriter, with a keyboard that has braille characters on the keys. Braille can also be written by hand using a stylus or other pointed tools to press the dots into a soft surface, such as paper or a braille slate.

To read braille, a person runs their fingers over the raised dots, feeling the different combinations and interpreting them as letters and words. Braille is typically written in lines, with each line containing a maximum of 40 characters.

In addition to being used for reading and writing English texts, braille has also been adapted for use in other languages and in fields such as mathematics and music. It is a versatile and powerful system that has greatly improved the literacy and independence of people all over the world who are blind or have low vision.

History of Braille

The history of the Braille system is intricately woven with the life and achievements of Louis Braille, a remarkable French educator who revolutionised the way people who are blind and have low vision access written information. He was born in 1809 in Coupvray, France, and lost his sight at the age of three as a result of an accident in his father's workshop.

Despite his blindness, Braille was determined to continue his education and become a teacher. He was frustrated by the lack of reading and writing materials available to him and began to experiment with different ways of representing words and ideas through touch.

Braille's system was initially met with resistance, as many people believed that sighted individuals should be the ones to educate the blind. However, it eventually gained widespread acceptance and is now used all over the world as a way for individuals who are blind or have low vision to read and write. Braille died in 1852 at the age of 43, but his legacy lives on through the braille system.

The Importance of Braille

Braille is an integral means for enabling people who are blind or have low vision to communicate and access information independently. It allows these individuals to read and write, which are essential skills for education, employment, and participation in society. Without braille, many individuals with vision loss would be at a significant disadvantage and might have difficulty participating fully in all aspects of life.

In addition to its practical uses, braille also has cultural and historical significance. It has helped to bridge the gap between the sighted and non-sighted communities by providing a way for the two groups to communicate and share written information. It has also helped to increase the literacy and independence of individuals who are blind or have low vision, and has played a significant role in advancing their rights and opportunities.

For these reasons, it is important for people to take an interest in braille and to support its continued development and use. This can include advocating for the inclusion of braille materials in schools and other educational settings, supporting organisations that provide braille resources and services, and promoting the use of braille in everyday life. By supporting braille and the individuals who use it, we can help to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Learn more about Braille

I hope this blog gives you an idea of how dose braille work, and the importance of braille. There are many platforms to learn about braille in Australia, including Vision Australia, Perkins, Braille House, and UEB Online. Most of the services are accessible and offer both online and offline training programs. To find more information, please visit their website.