Hi,
Being that today is the 212th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. Some of
you may be interested in the following I received from another list.
Jeanne
Subject: WBU Press Release: The Importance of Braille Literacy
The Importance of Braille Literacy
WBU Press Release: World Braille Day
January 4th, 2017
On January 4th, we celebrate World Braille Day and the huge impact that
Louis Braille s invention has had on the lives of blind people all over the
world. Braille always has been and always will be more than just a tool for
blind individuals who use it. Braille represents competency, independence,
and equality.
Braille is not a code to be deciphered but it is a method of reading and
writing that is equal in value to print for sighted people. The way in which
blind and partially sighted people develop literacy skills may differ, but
the goal is the same: to use reading, writing, and other literacy tools to
gather and understand important information and to convey important
information to themselves and to others.
A lot has changed since Braille was invented almost 200 years ago, both in
technology and educational practices. Nowadays, various students have access
to different kinds of devices such as refreshable braille displays and/or
braille note takers (a dedicated computer for braille users). The books in
Braille that are used now are often produced by high-speed braille embossers
using translation software that converts the printed word into Braille
cells. However, the fundamental importance of Braille remains unchanged and
as important as ever.
There is a real concern in the blind community that there is less support
for teaching, using and investing in Braille, particularly among educators
and governments, due to the belief that technologies such as e-books,
audiobooks, and screen readers can replace Braille. This issue is a
worldwide concern, in developed and developing countries alike. Other
formats such as audiobooks, which are generally cheaper than Braille, cannot
replace Braille and advances such as the newer and more affordable
refreshable Braille displays will support Braille literacy in the future,
said Kevin Carey, the new Chair of the World Braille Council.
While advances in technology are welcome, we recommend that technology
should be used to enhance the use of Braille, not to replace it. Evidence
supports our belief that those who have the opportunity to fully acquire
Braille reading and writing skills attain better literacy, better education,
and employment outcomes than those whose learning has been primarily
supported by spoken word technology.
Literacy the ability to read and write is vital to a successful
education, career, and quality of life in today s world. Whether in the form
of curling up with a good book, jotting down a phone number, making a
shopping list, or writing a report on a computer, being literate means
participating effectively at home and in society.
The World Blind Union strongly recommends that all blind and severely
partially-sighted children be given the opportunity to learn and become
proficient in Braille reading and writing skills and that they receive
instruction from those who are thoroughly trained and qualified to teach
Braille.
We also strongly recommend that all blind persons have access to a variety
of books and publications in braille that are up-to-date. This
recommendation can be achieved in part by governments ratifying the
Marrakesh Treaty, which allows for copyright exceptions to facilitate the
creation of accessible books and other copyrighted works and for the import
and export of such materials across national boundaries.
To read our revised Position Statement on Braille Literacy, which includes a
full list of our recommendations as well as a description of the Braille
alphabet, please visit:
http://worldblindunion.org/English/resources/Pages/WBU-External-Position-Sta
tements-and-Resource-Papers.aspx.
The World Blind Union (WBU) is the global organization representing the
estimated 285 million people worldwide who are blind or partially sighted.
Members consist of organizations run by blind people advocating on their own
behalf and organizations that serve the blind, in over 190 countries, as
well as international organizations working in the field of vision
impairment.
For further information contact:
Caitlin Reid
Communications Officer, World Blind Union Caitlin.Reid@xxxxxxx
