The world celebrates January 4th every year as World Braille Day, marking the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of the tactile writing system for the visually impaired, born in 1809 in Coupvray, near Paris, France.

What is Braille?

Braille is not a language itself but a writing and reading system based on raised dots that can be read by touch. This system allows blind and visually impaired individuals to read and write using pens, special tools, portable devices, or even electronic printers.

Inventor of Braille

Louis Braille lost his sight as a child due to an accident. At the age of 15 (in 1824), he developed the raised-dot system to help visually impaired individuals read. In 1829, he also adapted the system for musical notation, enabling blind individuals to engage in arts and culture.

How does Braille work?

The Braille system consists of cells made up of six raised dots arranged in two parallel rows of three dots each (3×2). These dots are used to represent letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and sometimes entire words. Braille has been adapted for dozens of languages worldwide, including Arabic, English, Spanish, and Chinese, making it a universal tool for literacy.

Importance of Braille today

Although technological tools such as screen readers have reduced dependence on Braille, it remains an essential skill, especially for children with visual impairments, as it promotes reading and writing skills, independence, and self-confidence