Celebrate World Braille Day on Jan. 4 by honoring the inventor of this incredible reading and writing system for people who are visually impaired! Louis Braille created this system in 1824 when he was just 15 years old, revolutionizing how blind and visually impaired people read and write. This day is celebrated to recognize the importance of braille literacy around the world, giving those with visual impairments a chance to be independent learners. So take some time today to appreciate what Louis Braille did for us over two centuries ago!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1809</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Louis Braille</div><div class='timeline-text'>Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system, was born on January 4, 1809 in Coupvray, France.</div></div></div><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'>Invention of Braille</div><div class='timeline-text'>Louis Braille developed the Braille system at the age of 15, providing a reading and writing system for the visually impaired.</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'>Death of Louis Braille</div><div class='timeline-text'>Louis Braille passed away on January 6, 1852. His system was not widely accepted until after his death.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1953</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Universal Acceptance of Braille</div><div class='timeline-text'>Braille was finally recognized as the universal system of writing and reading for the visually impaired at the World Congress in France.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First World Braille Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Braille Day was first celebrated by The World Blind Union (WBU) on January 4, 2001 to commemorate Louis Braille’s birthday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 2018, The United Nations officially recognized January 4 as World Braille Day, to raise awareness of the importance of Braille for the visually impaired.</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 to read Braille</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Try to learn the basics of Braille, either by taking a class or using online resources. Learning Braille is a great way to celebrate World Braille Day.</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'>Donate to a blindness charity</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support those with vision impairment by donating to a blindness charity or organization that supports those with visual impairments. Your donation can make an impact on the lives of others.</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'>Create Braille art</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself by creating some creative art work using raised dots in the form of Braille. This could include making greeting cards, writing poems, creating jewelry or even sculpting your own unique items.</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'>Try out assistive technology</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Technology for those who are visually impaired has come a long way in recent years. Explore the various types of assistive technology available such as screen readers and talking books.</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'>Read a book in Braille</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a book written in Braille at your local library and try reading it for pleasure. You may find that you enjoy it more than you thought and will want to explore other books written in this format.</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'>Braille is an essential tool to help the visually impaired</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>For those with visual impairments, braille is an invaluable tool that allows them to access written information and materials. It gives them the ability to read, write and participate in day-to-day activities independently and with confidence.</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'>Braille helps break down barriers of communication</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Braille Day serves as a reminder that there are still language barriers in our society, and we can do better to bridge them. By increasing awareness of the importance of braille for those with visual impairments, it encourages more organizations and businesses to make their materials available in this format so everyone can have equal access.</p></div></div>
World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4 every year. In 2024, World Braille Day will take place on a Thursday.
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