National Braille Literacy Month is observed in January to honor those who are legally blind or visually impaired, raise awareness, and educate them about the importance of Braille. As advancements in audio technology are made, Braille is becoming less and less popular as time goes on. But its significance is still relevant today, particularly in business and the classroom.
Apart from commemorating Braille’s legacy, it also marks the birthday of the founder, Louis Braille. Since its invention, many individuals have benefited from the Braille system. Braille is more accessible and relevant in today’s technologically sophisticated culture due to its implementation into computers and other digital devices.
The most common types of low vision are:
Central vision loss:
A blind spot found in the center of vision.
Peripheral vision loss:
When a person is not able to see anything above or below the eye levels, though the central vision doesn’t alter.
Night blindness:
When a person has problems in seeing in poorly lit places like cinema halls, roads with no street lamps etc.
Blurred vision:
A situation when objects both far and near are out of focus.
Hazy vision:
The area of vision seems to be covered with a film.
Some common causes of low vision are:
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Eye cancer
- Albinism
- Brain injury
- Inherited eye disorders like retinitis pigmentosa
Five facts about Braille Literacy Month:
- Braille was not the first system of raised letters. Prior to the development of Braille, alternative written communication tools for the blind included bent wire letters, wood letters, and a grid of pricks.
- Braille isn’t thought of as a language. But nearly every language, including Spanish, Chinese, and French, has its own set of codes. Additionally, music and math employ different codes.
- The coding system is generally made up of six dots. There are 63 different ways to organize these six-dot Braille cells, which are set up as two columns of three dots.
- Braille is also used on feet! Have you ever noticed those large yellow sidewalks or store ends? The Braille there is for your feet.
- Both contractual and uncontracted Braille are available. Contracted Braille shortens frequent words (such as do not and don’t) while uncontracted Braille writes out every word.