01/04/2026
This Sunday, January 4, is World Braille Day, recognized on that date every year in honor of Louis Braille’s birthday in 1809. Before the development of Braille’s revolutionary raised dot system, people who were blind had virtually no way to access written information independently, effectively cutting them off from a vital form of communication.
While the emergence of newer tools like screen reader programs has resulted in fewer people learning braille, braille is far from obsolete. It remains an incredibly important format, and for many situations there’s really no substitute.
Unfortunately, there are major threats to the future of braille training. The U.S. Department of Education recently eliminated federal support for key university programs and resources for teachers and vision rehab therapists. It’s critical that we help policymakers understand the importance of braille and communicate to them that this assault on braille training is not acceptable.
You can read our entire World Braille Day message on our website at https://wcblind.org/2025/12/getting-the-rest-of-society-on-board-with-accessibility-a-world-braille-day-message/.
Image: Drawing of Louis Braille and the words Louis Braille January 4, 1809 – January 6, 1852
