History Hit: A History of Braille

and Learn the Braille Alphabet

Today is World Braille Day, and to celebrate we thought we’d bring you a short history of this amazing piece of history (and show you how to read it - just a little).

This transformative tactile writing system was created by Louis Braille in the early 19th century. The system revolutionized the lives of the visually impaired. Blinded in his youth, Braille introduced the initial six-dot system in 1824, enabling individuals to read and write through touch.

Despite initial resistance, Braille's invention gained global acceptance, with the American Foundation for the Blind adopting it in 1932. Organizations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) played a pivotal role in promoting Braille, ensuring its universal adoption. This tactile system, refined by Braille over time, continues to empower the visually impaired, granting access to education and literature.

Today, technological integration, supported by institutions like the RNIB, extends Braille's impact, allowing blind individuals to participate fully in our interconnected world. Louis Braille's enduring legacy persists through the continued collaboration of organizations like the RNIB, championing accessibility and empowerment.

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