Braille script sows the seeds of light in the dark world – Dainik Savera Times

4 January 2024 is the sixth “World Braille Day”. Braille is the language of touch. Braille system is a script which is used by the blind all over the world for reading and writing by touch. With only six different arrangements of the dots, language and ideas from different countries could flow through the fingers. Also mathematics, science and music can be transferred from heart to heart as slides of fingers. Braille is like a seed of hope, allowing beautiful flowers to bloom in a dark world.
Eye diseases are very common all over the world. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, at least 1 billion people have near or farsightedness that could have been prevented or has not yet been resolved.
People with visual impairments are more likely to be poor and deprived than the general population. If their needs are not met and their rights are not protected, it will have far-reaching consequences, with visually impaired people often facing lifelong unequal treatment, impairments and barriers to education and employment.
Enhancing human rights and fundamental freedoms in relation to the use of written language is an important prerequisite for the full realization of the human rights of blind and visually impaired people. In the year 2018 November, the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare 4 January of every year as “World Braille Day”.
The “six-dot” Braille symbol system used in countries around the world was created in the year 1829 by the French blind teacher Louis Blériot (1809-1852). That is why he is known as “Father of Braille script”. Blind and visually impaired people use Braille to read books and magazines, which is no different from how ordinary people read printed materials with visual fonts.
Year 1952 Expert Huangnai and some teachers in China formulated a Braille scheme featuring the Chinese language on the basis of assimilation of traditional Braille in China and abroad, which is known in China as “existing Braille”. The scheme is based on Blair’s “six-dot” braille and adopts the Pinyin braille system. In the year 1953, Braille was approved by the Chinese government and soon it became popular in special schools across the country. Later this Braille scheme was modified several times. At the Third National Braille Reform Seminar of China held in 1991, it was named the “Chinese Double-Spelling Braille Scheme” and this braille system was promoted throughout the country.
On July 1, 2018, China released and implemented the “National Universal Braille Project”. It has laid a solid foundation for Braille application and promotion, basic research, talent training, discipline building, social service, etc. in China. China Braille Press had produced and published a batch of Braille textbooks and study books. Various regions in China have organized national Braille popularization and promotion training activities.
At present, the total number of visually impaired people across China exceeds 17 million, accounting for about 20 percent of the total number of disabled people in the country. Braille is the basis for them to “see” the world, acquire education and knowledge, and achieve self-reliance. Nowadays, whether it is mathematical geometric shapes, physical circuit diagrams or the periodic table of chemical elements, they can be accurately expressed through Braille. Those raised dots representing beautiful words and throbbing melodies are like seeds of light, sowing hope in the hearts of every blind or visually impaired person.
(Credits – China Media Group, Beijing)