Lahore (NNI): World Braille Day was observed globally on Saturday to honor the legacy of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system, on his birthday, January 4. Braille is a tactile writing system used by blind and visually impaired individuals, invented by Louis Braille in 1834. Braille, who lost his sight at the age of three due to an accident, created this system to help visually impaired people read and write using raised dots.
Louis Braille, who passed away at the age of 43 due to tuberculosis, initially struggled to gain recognition for his invention. Despite his efforts to have the Braille system officially adopted by the French government as a language for the blind, his requests were rejected during his lifetime. However, after his death, the system gained acceptance as educators began to see its value, and it rapidly became popular among blind individuals.
Braille is based on a system of six dots arranged in various combinations to represent letters, numbers, and other characters. This method has been adopted across major languages worldwide.
On the occasion of World Braille Day, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the importance of Braille in providing access to education for visually impaired individuals. He highlighted that the day serves to raise awareness about the rights of the blind and the significance of Braille in education. “We reaffirm our commitment to improving access to education and facilities for the blind, and we recognize the need for information to be provided to them through Braille,” said Zardari.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, expressed solidarity with the global community in acknowledging Braille as a tool for empowerment. He praised Braille for opening doors to knowledge, communication, and freedom for millions of blind individuals worldwide. “Braille is not just a medium for reading and writing; it is a gateway to inclusion and equal opportunities, empowering individuals to live independent and dignified lives,” said the Prime Minister.
Sharif further emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible education for all, by equipping schools with Braille books, training teachers, and establishing special centers for blind students. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to advancing the rights and welfare of people with disabilities.
