Blind SA honours Braille Literacy Month
Alrode’s Blind SA has joined the celebration of Braille Literacy Month, which honours Louis Braille’s birthday - January 4, 1809.
In observing Braille Literacy Month, Blind SA has shed light on the inception of Braille Literacy Month to honour the birthday of the inventor of the code, Louis Braille.
What was introduced by Charles Barbier as Night Writing for French soldiers to communicate at night on the battlefield was later developed by Louis Braille during the mid-1800s into a tactile system of raised dots for blind people to use when reading and learning.
At the age of five, Braille lost his sight after accidentally poking his eye with an awl (a tool to carve and make holes in wood or leather).
According to Blind SA’s Lerato Jiyane, Braille later began developing the code to help blind people read and have an easier academic journey.
“Mr Braille died in 1852 after suffering from tuberculosis, but his great invention lives on with its positive impact of changing the lives of blind people worldwide and has led to greater heights. In 1952, Dr Abraham Nemeth, a blind mathematician, invented the Braille code for mathematics and science (called Nemeth),” she explained.
Braille is divided into two main categories – Contracted, which is complex, and uncontracted, which is simpler. Braille can also be read through a computer using a specialised speech programme.
“As Braille continues to bloom and grow by offering development and a bright future to the blind and partially sighted, one must note that its production is lengthy and costly, involving various machines and tools in the process, such as the Dutch Braille Translator), Braille Embosser, Jot-A-Dot, Pointed Stylus and Perkins Brailler,” Jiyane said.
Braille’s impact on the blind and partially sighted
Blind SA, which empowers and advocates for the blind community to have equal access to opportunities, established its Braille services in 1953.
They remain the only producer of Braille documents in all 11 official South African languages.
Although January 2024 marks the sixth year commemorating Braille Literacy Month, the legacy is not forgotten and is cherished globally, and more Braille awareness, support and activities are being embarked on.
With Braille toys and games now available, Jiyane said blind people can also indulge in fun.
“Braille code is the only system that allows blind people to access knowledge, fun and information, offering the blind and partially sighted unparalleled autonomy and facilitating their inclusion in society and school. This year’s Braille Month theme focuses on promoting Braille as a means of communication for blind and partially sighted people across the globe,” she said.
