World Braille Day

World Braille Day History

World Braille Day is a global observance that aims to raise awareness of the critical importance of Braille as a means of communication for the visually impaired. The day celebrates the right of access to written communication for those who are visually impaired. It highlights the issues faced by the blind and the visually impaired community, advocates for equality, and emphasizes the importance of their integration into society.

World Braille Day traces its roots back to the birthday of Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight as a result of a childhood accident but invented the Braille system at the early age of 15. In New Zealand, the Blind and Low Vision NZ is one key organisation that supports people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision to live the life they choose. According to the organisation, approximately 12,000 people in New Zealand use their services, making observances like World Braille Day very significant to the New Zealand community.

World Braille Day is observed in New Zealand in various ways. Many organisations, including the Blind and Low Vision NZ, host events to promote braille literacy and inclusivity. These activities range from seminars, workshops, to campaigns to increase public awareness. New Zealand Braille Users also run training courses to help people learn Braille. Just as in other countries, World Braille Day in New Zealand is celebrated annually on the 4th of January, which is Louis Braille's birthday. Through this observance, New Zealand upholds its commitment to ensuring an inclusive society for everyone, regardless of their physical impairments.

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.
• New Zealand includes braille in its public spaces, such as banks and ATMs, to make it easier for visually impaired individuals to access services independently.
• A New Zealander named Annie Jackson transcribed the Bible into Braille in 1890, making it the first Braille book in the country.

In the News and Trending in NZ for World Braille Day

Top things to do in NZ 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.