On 4 January we are celebrating the birth of Frenchman Louis Braille in 1809. 2024 marks two centuries of Braille, the writing system developed by Louis Braille that blind people still need and use today. Indeed we will continue to read Braille until sighted people stop reading print.
The way we use Braille has changed over my lifetime. Today there's a little less of the bulky Braille volumes. Some of us are able to use small computer devices that raise Braille dots under our fingers. And the internet is sending more and more information to us to read with these devices.
However the need for us to spell, punctuate and format documents has not decreased. And there are the STEM subjects and tactile graphics that are best read in Braille for us to comprehend and remember.
So let us pause and thank Louis Braille for his innovative invention. In Auckland, New Zealand we will be celebrating his invention this May at the General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille. If you are working in the sector, we welcome you to register for our General Assembly. You will catch up with the latest in the production, teaching and uses of Braille in STEM, music braille, tactile graphics and more.
Read about the 8th General Assembly of ICEB.
We look forward to welcoming you and honouring Louis Braille together.