date correction: braille was born in 1809, which makes it the 208th anniversary.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 4, 2017, at 3:45 PM, Jeanne Fike <jfike636@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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-Statements-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
