Happy World Braille Day. It is a day that fills me with gratitude every year. Braille has given me true literacy, the ability to write something down, and read back what I have written.
Despite numerous predictions by a few professionals in the education field of its imminent demise as technology has evolved, the Braille code is an ingenious system that has kept pace with technological change. From computerized embossing, to refreshable Braille displays, to the exciting new world of multiline devices, Braille is as vibrant and relevant as ever.
But for me, reflecting on World Braille Day which we celebrate on the anniversary of Louis Braille's birth, is also about celebrating Braille the man. He taught us that we, the blind, are uniquely placed to devise solutions that move us forward. His story teaches us that sometimes, we will face stiff opposition from vested interests who are challenged and threatened. In Louis Braille's case, he even endured the heartbreak of seeing books in his code burned. But he gave us hope that when people temporarily stand in the path of progress, the evidence will be so overwhelming that progress will prevail.
It is critical that all of us, but particularly young blind people, are taught that Braille the code was devised by Braille, a blind man. That is why it is right and respectful that when we refer to the code, we should always do so with a capital B, just as we do for Morse code, Celsius, Fahrenheit and other codes.
In 2024, marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code, it was my great honor to deliver the keynote address to the International Council on English Braille. I provide a link to the text and audio of that address, which traces the history of the code, the opposition it has faced over the years, and the blind people who have safeguarded his legacy. It is now our turn to safeguard that legacy and invest the inheritance left to us by Louis Braille.
mosen.org/iceb2024/
Despite numerous predictions by a few professionals in the education field of its imminent demise as technology has evolved, the Braille code is an ingenious system that has kept pace with technological change. From computerized embossing, to refreshable Braille displays, to the exciting new world of multiline devices, Braille is as vibrant and relevant as ever.
But for me, reflecting on World Braille Day which we celebrate on the anniversary of Louis Braille's birth, is also about celebrating Braille the man. He taught us that we, the blind, are uniquely placed to devise solutions that move us forward. His story teaches us that sometimes, we will face stiff opposition from vested interests who are challenged and threatened. In Louis Braille's case, he even endured the heartbreak of seeing books in his code burned. But he gave us hope that when people temporarily stand in the path of progress, the evidence will be so overwhelming that progress will prevail.
It is critical that all of us, but particularly young blind people, are taught that Braille the code was devised by Braille, a blind man. That is why it is right and respectful that when we refer to the code, we should always do so with a capital B, just as we do for Morse code, Celsius, Fahrenheit and other codes.
In 2024, marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code, it was my great honor to deliver the keynote address to the International Council on English Braille. I provide a link to the text and audio of that address, which traces the history of the code, the opposition it has faced over the years, and the blind people who have safeguarded his legacy. It is now our turn to safeguard that legacy and invest the inheritance left to us by Louis Braille.
mosen.org/iceb2024/
My Address to the 2024 General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code. The International Council on English Braille, which has a General Assembly every four years, met this time in Auckland, N…Mosen At Large
Raccoon von Trasher
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