Today, 4 January, is World Braille Day. This honours the birth of Louis Braille in 1809.
2025 marked 135 years since the founding of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. In 1890 formal services to blind New Zealanders began with the establishment of what was then called the Jubilee Institute for the Blind in Parnell, Auckland. A key figure back then was Bishop William Cowie, Bishop of Auckland.
Among the Christmas services at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, Auckland is A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The Lessons are readings from The Bible narrated by representatives from the community and the church.
In 2025 one of the lessons was read from Braille. This honours the link back to 1890 when Braille was first taught on the Parnell site and the several church staff who provided religious education to the students at the Parnell School for the Blind for many years.