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 National Braille Literacy Month

Overview

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National Braille Literacy Month is observed each year in January in the United States. The month is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of Braille literacy for people who are blind or visually impaired. It highlights Braille as a critical tool for education, employment, independence, and full participation in society.

January was chosen to honor the birthday of Louis Braille, who was born on January 4, 1809, and developed the Braille reading and writing system that continues to be used worldwide today.

 

What Is Braille?

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Braille is a tactile writing system that uses patterns of raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols. It allows people who are blind or have low vision to read and write through touch.

Braille is not a language. It is a code that can be used for many languages, including English, Spanish, French, and others. Modern Braille also supports math, science, music, and computer notation.

Learn more about how Braille works:

• American Foundation for the Blind – What Is Braille?
  https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/braille

 

Why Braille Literacy Matters

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Braille literacy is closely linked to academic success, employment opportunities, and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Research and advocacy organizations consistently report that individuals who are proficient in Braille are more likely to:

• Perform well in school

• Graduate from high school and college

• Gain meaningful employment

• Manage daily tasks independently

Braille provides access to spelling, grammar, formatting, and written structure in ways that audio alone cannot fully replace.

Literacy and employment resources:

• National Federation of the Blind – Braille Literacy:
  https://nfb.org/resources/braille

• Perkins School for the Blind – Braille Education:
  https://www.perkins.org/braille/

 

Braille in Education

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In educational settings, Braille plays a vital role for students who are blind or have significant vision loss. It allows learners to:

• Read textbooks and assignments

• Take notes and complete exams

• Learn math, science, and music notation

• Develop strong literacy skills alongside sighted peers

Educators and families use National Braille Literacy Month to promote early Braille instruction, teacher training, and accessible learning materials.

Education-focused resources:

• National Center on Accessible Educational Materials:
  https://aem.cast.org

• U.S. Department of Education – Special Education Resources:
  https://www.ed.gov/special-education

 

Technology and Braille

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Modern technology has expanded access to Braille through tools such as:

• Refreshable Braille displays

• Braille notetakers

• Screen readers paired with Braille output

• Digital Braille files

These tools allow users to read digital content, write documents, and access the internet using Braille.

Technology resources:

• Hadley – Braille and Assistive Technology Learning:
  https://hadley.edu

• Bookshare (Accessible Digital Books):
  https://www.bookshare.org

 

How National Braille Literacy Month Is Observed

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Common activities during National Braille Literacy Month include:

• Classroom lessons on Braille awareness

• Hands-on Braille reading and writing demonstrations

• Community events promoting accessibility

• Advocacy campaigns supporting equal access to literacy

• Sharing stories from Braille readers and educators

Libraries, schools, disability organizations, and advocacy groups often lead these efforts.

 

Promoting Inclusion and Accessibility

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National Braille Literacy Month also emphasizes the broader goal of inclusive access to information. Supporting Braille literacy helps ensure that people who are blind or visually impaired have equal opportunities in education, employment, and civic life.

Organizations use the month to advocate for:

• Early literacy instruction

• Access to Braille materials

• Trained teachers of the visually impaired

• Inclusive design in public spaces and education

Accessibility advocacy resources:

• American Council of the Blind:
  https://www.acb.org

• World Blind Union:
  https://worldblindunion.org

 

Additional Online Resources

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The following websites offer reliable information, learning tools, and advocacy resources related to Braille literacy:

• Library of Congress – National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
  https://www.loc.gov/nls

• Perkins School for the Blind – Braille and Accessibility
  https://www.perkins.org

• Braille Authority of North America (BANA)
  https://www.brailleauthority.org

• National Day Calendar – National Braille Literacy Month
  https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-braille-literacy-month-january/

 

Conclusion

National Braille Literacy Month recognizes Braille as a foundation of literacy, independence, and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired. By promoting awareness, education, and access, the observance helps strengthen inclusive learning environments and supports the right of every individual to read, write, and participate fully in society.

 

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