January 2, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) -- One hundred and seventy nine years after the first book was published in braille, millions of people who are blind or have low vision continue to read, write, and communicate through the six dot system. In fact, braille is used throughout the world by people who read a variety of languages. Louis Braille designed the coding system, based on patterns of raised dots, by which the blind can read through touch. January 4th is Louis Braille's birthday, and thus, January is also designated to be National Braille Literacy Month.
Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. An injury to his eye at age three resulted in total loss of vision. When he was ten, he entered the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, the world's first school for blind children. There he would live, study, and later teach. When Louis was fifteen, he developed an ingenious system of reading and writing by means of raised dots.
Louis Braille accepted a full-time teaching position at the Institute when he was nineteen. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill with incurable tuberculosis (a lung infection) in 1835 and was forced to resign his teaching post. Shortly before his death, a former student of his, a blind musician, gave a performance in Paris, France. She made a point of letting the audience know that she had learned everything she knew using the system developed by the dying Louis Braille. This created renewed interest in and a revival of the Braille system, although it was not fully accepted until 1854, two years after the inventor's death. Louis Braille died on January 6, 1852 at age forty- three.
The Braille system has been modified slightly from time to time over the years; for instance, to accommodate the new computer terminology and symbols. The fundamental version employed today was first used in the United States in 1860 at the Missouri School for the Blind. It continues to be used by many blind people around the world. Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), says: "As someone who learned to use Braille at the age of five, I am absolutely convinced that without this wonderful code, I would be, in every sense of the word, illiterate and unable to hold the responsible position I have with the City of Los Angeles." Lynne Koral, President of the ACB Affiliate, the Braille Revival League, which is at the forefront of the fight for Braille literacy, says: "Despite the substantial impact of digital communications, Braille is still the preferred medium for comprehension and literacy for many blind people."
The American Council of the Blind, and its numerous state and special interest affiliates, take pride in supporting the continued teaching and use of the Braille system. If you have any questions about the use of Braille or about blindness, or if you know anyone who has lost, or is losing, their eyesight, or if you are a parent of a blind or sight impaired child, contact us! We are here to answer your questions and help any way we can. Contact your state's ACB affiliate:
American Council of the Blind of Nebraska
PO Box 6506
Omaha NE 68106-0506
Phone: (888) 218-8061
http://www.acb.org/nebraska/
acbn@inebraska.com