World Braille Day

UN establishes 4 January as World Braille Day

In the WBU e-Bulletin January 2019, President Dr. Fredric K. Schroeder wrote:

Through the tireless efforts of Dr. Aubrey Webson, UN Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, on December 17th, 2018, the United Nations officially established January 4 as World Braille Day. World Braille Day brings attention to the right and ability of blind and partially sighted children and adults to live productive integrated lives. Supported by the Marrakesh Treaty and the Orbit Reader 20, World Braille Day stands as a call for social justice for blind and partially sighted people everywhere.

Now, it is up to us. We must use World Braille Day as an opportunity to focus the attention of governments, schools and the public on the need to expand access to literacy for blind and partially sighted children. With a foundation of true literacy, blind and partially sighted children can learn as others and grow up able to take their place as productive members of society.

Each day, each month, each year, together we move closer to full and equal opportunity. The challenges remaining before us are daunting, but, no matter the difficulty, together we have and will continue to change what it means to be blind.