World Braille Day

World Braille Day History

World Braille Day is an international observance dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted individuals. The day reminds the public of the vital need for printed material to be accessible to the visually impaired community, thereby allowing an equal opportunity for all to pursue an education, a career, and the freedom to engage and contribute significantly to society. Recognising the significance of Braille, United Nations officially adopted World Braille Day as international observance in 2018.

The observance of the day had its roots in the birth date of Louis Braille, the inventor of this extraordinary language. The unique method was introduced in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century and has played an instrumental role in ensuring equality and inclusion for visually impaired individuals. For many Britons, Braille literacy forms a fundamental building block allowing active participation in today's global village, promoting the capabilities and achievements of the visually impaired across the UK, and removing barriers to their aspirations.

In the United Kingdom, World Braille Day is traditionally marked by a series of educational and promotional events held across the country to encourage the use of Braille. Museums, libraries, institutions and organisations stage exhibitions, workshops, and competitive events designed to promote Braille literacy. These activities not only highlight the challenges faced by the visually impaired but also showcase their accomplishments. World Braille Day falls on the 4th of January each year, reminding everyone of the importance of accessibility and equal opportunity in overcoming the challenges of visual impairment.

Facts about World Braille Day

• It is a myth that Braille is a language. It is actually a code that can be adapted to almost any alphabet-based orthography, or other system relating to writing.
• One of the early adopters of braille in the UK was Dr. Thomas Rhodes Armitage, who was visually impaired and a founder of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
• Under the Equality Act 2010, UK businesses and organizations are required to provide accessible formats to their customers, including large print and Braille versions of documents, menus, and information, upon request.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Braille Day

Top things to do in the UK for World Braille Day

• Explore Writing Peace, an informative manual that allows you to discover contemporary writings by introducing you to various languages. Braille is one of them featured in the manual. Learn more about its history and how it is used.