The visually impaired are able to read, write and work, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Louis Braille who invented the Braille language that enables people with eyesight disabilities to read and write. Every year, his birthday is commemorated by celebrating January 4 as World Braille Day.

Louis Braille who was born in France lost his vision at the age of 3. However, he was very intent to read and write properly despite his disability. At the age of 15, he conceived the idea of reading by feeling or touch. He developed a set of symbols by making raised dots on a piece of paper.  One could easily decipher the dots by feeling with hand, thus enabling even the blind to feel them and hence, read and write.

Soon this language came to be known as the Braille language, named after its creator. Louis was also passionate about music which made him develop a Braille language for music in the latter part of his life. He kept the language for music flexible so that it could be adapted to almost any musical instrument around the world.

The Braille language became popular only after it was adopted by Louis’ school, a couple of years after his death in 1854. Soon, it grew popular in the rest of France and gradually other countries of the world also started adopting it.

It is very important to celebrate World Braille Day as a mark of respect to Loius Braille whose persistent efforts led to the invention of a simple yet effective medium that made it possible for blind people to read and write. Although not many are aware of this day, for individuals working for the blind, it is a day of great significance.

This day is celebrated especially to raise awareness about the apathy towards blind people and to help them be equal with the rest of the people. Various organizations and NGOs come together on this day and hold competitions and games for the blind. They also make them aware of the new technologies coming in the field of Braille language on this day, for example, technology has made it possible for visually impaired people to make use of computers.

The World Braille Day gives an opportunity to various organizations and philanthropic individuals around the world to help the visually challenged. Let us contribute to a world where the visually impaired can easily live and work so that they gain a lot of self-confidence and respect.