Observed annually on January 4th, World Braille Day commemorates the legacy of Louis Braille and raises awareness about the significance of braille in improving the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals.
Braille is a tactile writing system made up of raised dots, allowing visually impaired people to read and write through touch. It opens up opportunities for learning and communication.
Though often mistaken for a language, braille is actually a flexible code that works with multiple languages, from English and Spanish to Chinese and more.
Braille books require more space due to the raised dot patterns. For instance, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire spans an impressive 10 braille volumes!
Braille extends beyond text—there’s a specialized system for reading music, enabling blind musicians to understand notes and perform with confidence.
With the rise of technology like screen readers, fewer people are learning braille today. Despite this, braille remains vital for education and independence.
Teaching braille to visually impaired children at a young age promotes strong literacy skills, helping them succeed in academics and everyday life.
In a unique honor, Asteroid 9969 Braille is named after Louis Braille, celebrating his lifechanging invention.
The Nemeth Code is a specialized braille system used to represent mathematical symbols and equations, empowering visually impaired students in STEM fields.
Some braille readers can achieve remarkable speeds, reading as quickly as 400 words per minute, demonstrating the efficiency of the system.