Braille Literacy for Individuals Who Are Blind or Low Vision
By Janet L. LaBreck
"Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power." - Louis Braille
Braille, a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers, has been a cornerstone of literacy for individuals who are blind or have low vision for nearly two centuries. As we move further into the digital age, the role of Braille in fostering independence and enhancing job skills remains as vital as ever.
A Brief History of Braille
The Braille system was invented by Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight due to a childhood accident. Inspired by a military code known as "night writing," which allowed soldiers to communicate silently and without light, Louis Braille developed his system at the age of 15 in 1824. It was published in 1829, and by 1854, two years after his death, it had been adopted by the French government for use in schools for the blind.
“January is recognized as Braille Literacy Month to acknowledge and reinforce that Braille literacy is more than just a means of reading and writing; it is a gateway to education, employment, and independence. ”
The Significance of Braille Literacy
January is recognized as Braille Literacy Month to acknowledge and reinforce that Braille literacy is more than just a means of reading and writing; it is a gateway to education, employment, and independence. Learning Braille equips individuals who are blind or low vision with the same access to information and communication as their sighted peers which include:
Communication Skills: Proficiency in Braille enables individuals to read and write effectively, which is crucial for tasks such as emailing, writing reports, and reading professional documents.
Independence: Braille allows for independent navigation of printed materials, from manuals to spreadsheets, enhancing self-reliance in the workplace.
Technical Proficiency: Braille displays and notetakers can interface with computers, smartphones, and other devices, bridging the gap between traditional literacy and modern technology.
Accessibility: Braille signage and labels in the workplace make it easier for individuals to navigate their environment and access necessary tools and information.
Professional Growth: Continuous learning and professional development are accessible through Braille, whether it is studying new skills, reading industry publications, or engaging in lifelong learning.
Integrating Braille with Modern Technology
Today's technology has expanded the ways in which Braille can be used, making it even more integral to developing job skills such as:
Braille Displays: These devices connect to computers, tablets, and smartphones, translating screen text into Braille in real-time. This allows individuals to access the internet, use software applications, and interact with digital content seamlessly.
Braille Notetakers: Portable devices that combine the functions of a computer and a Braille keyboard. They enable users to take notes, manage calendars, and read documents while on the go.
Screen Readers: Software that converts text on a screen into speech or Braille, making digital content accessible to users who are blind or have low vision.
Smart Braille Technology: Innovations like smart gloves and Braille e-books are pushing the boundaries of how Braille can be integrated into everyday tasks and professional responsibilities.
The integration of Braille literacy with modern technology underscores its enduring significance in the lives of individuals who are blind or have low vision. By equipping individuals with the skills necessary to read, write, and navigate digital environments, we can foster greater inclusion, enhance job opportunities, and promote independence.
Braille literacy remains a steadfast and invaluable skill that should be taught and promoted. In an ever-evolving world, the combination of traditional literacy tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technology solutions, contributes to ensuring that no one is left behind.
About the Author:
Janet L. LaBreck first noticed her gradual loss of vision as a child, when she started having difficulty seeing at night, reading the blackboard and her school textbooks. She struggled to read aloud in class, and would sometimes “[guess] the next word which usually turned out to be incorrect.” Teachers initially perceived this as a behavioral issue rather than the onset of LaBreck’ s declining vision. When another teacher realized that LaBreck might be having trouble seeing rather than acting out, she went for a vision exam. It took two years for her and three of her siblings to be diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). After attending Perkins School for the Blind and learning skills that enabled her to perform tasks in a non-visual way and meeting people who were also living with vision loss, she was able to accept her disability.
LaBreck graduated from public high school and went on to achieve higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Education degree from Springfield College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the New England College of Optometry. LaBreck even has a low vision clinic named in her honor at the New England College of Optometry.
“Armed with education and the critical acquired compensatory skills such as access to learning Braille and assistive technology, I knew I could be successful and that I could be a leader, given the opportunity.” LaBreck went on to co-found Synergy Consulting Partners, a consulting practice dedicated to partnering with the Vocational Rehabilitation program nationally and other organizations serving the disability community. LaBreck also established the Alliance for Inclusive Design and Experiences (AIDE), a 501C3 organization focused on innovating by developing new ways to partner with individuals, organizations and entrepreneurs committed to breaking down barriers to visual information by promoting access and inclusion for the blind community.
In August of 2013, Janet L. LaBreck was confirmed by the US Senate as the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). RSA was established to provide leadership and resources to assist state and other agencies providing vocational rehabilitation services (VR) to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and integration into the community and workforce. LaBreck was responsible for promulgating the most substantive regulation changes to the Vocational Rehabilitation program in over 15 years. She began her 27-year career with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), where she served as Commissioner during the last six years of her appointment by Governor Patrick until her transition to Washington, D.C.
She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including an Honorary Doctoral Degree from New England College of Optometry (NECO) for her innovative partnership which resulted in the establishment of a mobile eye care clinic for individuals with low vision conditions. In 2017, NECO dedicated the Janet L. LaBreck Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation clinic in her honor, in recognition of her commitment and dedication to the field of blindness. Most recently, LaBreck established Janet L. LaBreck Consulting LLC, in addition to becoming the Co-Founder of Synergy Consulting Partners.