National Braille Week was launched this year to celebrate all aspects of Braille and next year the event is scheduled to run from 4th – 10th January 2009 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille (the inventor of Braille) and World Braille Day. The launch included a new website www.nationalbrailleweek.org  that allows visitors to discover interesting facts about Braille – how it was created and how it is used in the 21^st century - and includes the facility to send an e-card with messages rendered into a Braille image for the recipient to either decipher or decode for themselves.

 

The First Minister said: ‘The Scottish Government is committed to creating a Scotland where all our people have the opportunity to realise their potential.

 

‘It is important that everyone has equal opportunities and choices, this is why this

Government funds the work of the Royal Blind School and has increased the level of funding to disability led groups to £1.9m over the next three years 2008-11.

 

‘Braille is incredibly important in promoting literacy and independence among people who are blind or partially sighted. I am delighted to support Royal Blind in its work to increase awareness of Braille through National Braille Week 2009.’

Richard Hellewell, chief executive of Royal Blind commented: ‘We are delighted that the First Minister has given his support to National Braille Week. The ability to read and write in Braille is a most important gateway to opportunity for the UK’s blind or partially sighted people. It is the building block of literacy which is the building block of independence.

 

‘People who are blind and know Braille are known to be more likely to be employed that those who rely on voice synthesizers. You wouldn’t tell a class of six year old children that they don’t need to learn to read any more because computers can do it for them. But every day, that’s what some people who are blind and visually impaired are told. People need to be literate, to read, write, count – in order to enjoy intellectual freedom, personal security and equal opportunities.

 

‘Braille is used all over the world but outside our community there is little knowledge or understanding about its use. Creating National Braille Week is a great way to raise awareness, which we hope will inspire interest and support for Braille.’