World Braille Day: January 4

Every year, the World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4 by United Nations and several other international organizations. The day is celebrated to create awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the realization of human rights for the blind.

Why is World Braille Day celebrated on January 4?

It is celebrated on January 4 because the day marks the birthday of Louis Braille, the creator of this writing system. He was born in France in 1809.

When was the first World Braille Day celebrated?

2019.

What is Braille?

Braille is the representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots. The dots represent the letters and numbers and mathematical, musical and scientific symbols as well.

Who invented Braille?

Braille was invented by Louis Braille in the 19th century in France.

Braille Language in India

India adopted the uniform Braille codes for different languages in 1951. India established the first ever Braille plant called Central Braille Plant in Dehradun. In 1954, Central Braille press was established to manufacture Braille appliances. The press produces simple equipment such as Braille slate, stylus and arithmetic Braille slate.

What are the steps taken by GoI to support the people with disabilities?

The GoI enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. The act provides special category called ‘low vision’ along with blind. Also, the act meets the stipulations of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

India accepted several United Nations resolutions on disabled people. This includes Observance of International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, observance of UN Decade for the disabled 1983-92. India also observed Asia-Pacific Decade for the Disabled declared by ESCAP. ESCAP is Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It is a regional think-tank that provides analytical opinions on social, economic and environmental dynamics in the region.


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