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Happy National Braille Literacy Month on January 1! This month-long celebration is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the use of braille, a tactile writing system that enables visually impaired individuals to read and write. It was first introduced in 1824 by Louis Braille, who was himself blind since childhood. Today, braille is an essential tool for many people with visual impairments, allowing them to access literature, textbooks, and other written materials. Let's celebrate this incredible invention and support the goal of achieving universal braille literacy for all.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1824</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Braille Invented</div><div class='timeline-text'>Louis Braille, a blind French man, invented the Braille system at the age of 15.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1852</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Braille Book</div><div class='timeline-text'>The publication of the first book in Braille marked a significant moment in the accessibility of literature for visually impaired people.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1932</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of NGO</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), an organization committed to promoting Braille literacy, was founded in the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Braille Legal Rights</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States Congress adopted a federal law definitively recognizing Braille as a literary system for blind and visually impaired individuals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1989</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Creation of the BANA</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) was established to develop and promote standardized Braille codes to facilitate literacy.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Braille Literacy Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>The month of January was declared as National Braille Literacy Month in the United States, honouring the birth month of Louis Braille.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn Braille</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the opportunity to learn the basics of Braille during National Braille Literacy Month. There are many resources available, including online courses and classes at local community centers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support Braille organizations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Donate to or volunteer with organizations that promote Braille literacy, such as the National Federation of the Blind or American Foundation for the Blind. Your support can make a difference in the lives of those who are blind or visually impaired.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read books in Braille</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself to read a book in Braille during this month. You can borrow one from a library or purchase one online. It will give you a better understanding of how important Braille is for those who are visually impaired.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use social media or organize a presentation at your workplace or school to spread awareness about Braille and the importance of Braille literacy. Education is key in breaking down barriers for those who are visually impaired.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a Braille event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check for events in your community that celebrate Braille and attend one. It could be a Braille book reading, workshop, or social gathering. This is a great opportunity to meet others who are passionate about promoting Braille literacy.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes equal access to information</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Braille is a crucial tool for those with visual impairments, allowing them to read and write just like their sighted peers. By promoting braille literacy, we are striving towards creating a more inclusive society where everyone has equal access to information.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Helps in language and cognitive development</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Learning and using braille has been shown to improve language skills and cognitive development in both blind and sighted individuals. It also helps with developing fine motor skills and general literacy - making it an important skill to learn for all individuals, not just those with visual impairments.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Preserves a unique form of communication</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Braille is a unique form of communication that allows individuals who are unable to read print to access written materials. By promoting braille literacy, we are preserving this important form of communication and ensuring that it continues to be used and recognized in our society.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Braille was invented by a teenager</h3><p class='facts-content'>Louis Braille invented Braille at the age of 15 to improve his own ability to read and write as a visually impaired person. His system gained recognition and is now used worldwide.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Braille has been adopted globally</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite being developed in France, Braille has found universal acceptance. Today it is offered in many languages, enabling visually impaired individuals globally to read and write independently.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Braille literacy leads to a higher employment rate</h3><p class='facts-content'>Studies have shown that visually impaired individuals who know how to read and write in braille have a much higher employment rate than those who do not.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Braille technology continues to evolve</h3><p class='facts-content'>Technological advancements, such as Braille e-books and personal digital assistants, have further opened up the world of literature to visually impaired people.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Braille is not a language</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite common misconception, Braille is not a language. It's a tactile alphabet that can be used to write almost any language there is.</p></div></div>
National Braille Literacy Month is celebrated on January 1 every year. In 2024 National Braille Literacy Month will occur on a Monday.
2023
Jan 1
Sunday
2024
Jan 1
Monday
2025
Jan 1
Wednesday
2026
Jan 1
Thursday
2027
Jan 1
Friday
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