January 4 is Louis Braille’s birthday. He was born in 1809 which would mean that in 1825 he would have been sixteen. Many folks think this is about the time that the braille system came into existence. This would mean that this year the braille system is 200 years old. We have tried to be sure through our announcements that everybody knew that the Braille Revival League, a special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind is, for the second year in a row, celebrating Louis Braille’s birthday with a major zoom event.
At 1 PM eastern time on Saturday January 4th we will begin a presentation that will last for four hours. It is divided into three segments, each of which we think will help accentuate just “why Braille matters” which is the name of our presentation.
The first section will explore braille around the world. We will look at things happening in the United Kingdom, Jamaica, a Pacific island country and elsewhere. We want to explore the diversity of braille and how important it is in countries large and small.
Our second segment deals with the United States. We will look at a company in Kansas that is using braille graphics to create tactile American flags. We will hear from the American Printing House for the Blind, one of the oldest and most important braille institutions in our country. Native American Braille is something most of us have probably not thought about. We will hear from the Navaho nation about how they have worked to develop braille for that language.
Our third segment will explore our organization! What is it? What does it do? How can you help? We will also look at the state of braille today! We think with Charles Dickens that these are the best of times and the worst of times! Join us to find out why!
Join Why Braille Matters on Zoom
Webinar ID: 843 9858 3214
The event will also be live streamed on ACB Media 8.
BRAILLE MATTERS! Show you know it by joining us at 1 PM Eastern time Saturday January 4!
Agenda
- 1:00 PM: Introduction and Greetings – Denise Colley, Braille Revival League President
Segment One: How Braille Works in Different Countries Around the World
- 1:01PM: UN Declaration on World Braille Day and the World Braille Council of the World Blind Union
Presenter: Kim Charlson, president, North America/Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union - 1:10PM: Braille Matters In Belgium
Facilitator: Kim Charlson
Presenter: Bart Simons, Chair of the Braille Authority for the Dutch language - 1:20PM: Braille Literacy In Canada
Facilitator: Kim Charlson
Presenter: Kim Kilpatrick Vice-Chair, Braille Literacy Canada - 1:35PM: The Samoa Blind Persons association
Facilitator: Judy Dixon, President, International Council on English Braille
Presenter: Faatino Utumapu, President - 1:50PM The Braillists Foundation
Facilitator: Judy Dixon
Presenter: Matthew Horspool, General Manager, The Braillists Foundation - 2:05PM Jamaica Salvation Army School for the Blind
Facilitator: Audrey Schading, President, Braille Revival League of New York
Presenters: Sean Harvey, Guidance Counselor, and Fitzville Martain, Former student, Jamaica School - 2:19PM Wrap-up and Hand-off: Kim Charlson
Segment Two: Exciting Ways Braille is Happening All Over the United States
- 2:20PM: Introduction and Words by Helen Keller: Patty Slaby, 2nd Vice President, Braille Revival League
- 2:22PM Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
Facilitator: Patty Slaby
Presenter: Elisha Zuaro, 6-12 Teacher - 2:37PM American Printinghouse for the Blind
Facilitator: Neva Fairchild, Member, Braille Revival League
Presenter: Jennifer Wenzel, Product Specialist - 2:52PM Navajo Braille Connection
Facilitator: Neva Fairchild
Presenter: Carol Green, Assistive Technology Instructor - 3:07PM Kansas Braille Transcription Institute
Facilitator: Alice Massa, Member, Braille Revival League
Presenter: Randolph (“Randy”) Cabral, president and executive director - 3:22PM Learn-at-home Braille Project
Facilitator: Alice Massa
Presenter: Professor Vileen Shah, director of braille education, East Bay Center for the Blind - 3:39PM Wrap-up and Hand-off: Neva Fairchild
- 3:40PM Who Is the Braille Revival League, Its History, Structure, Activities, Benefits of Membership, and How You Can Join
Presenter: Mary Haupt, Member, Braille Revival League - 4:05PM Who Are Our Special Interest Affiliates, What Are They Doing, and How to Become one
Facilitator: Denise Colley
Presenters: Audrey Schading, President, Braille Revival League of New York, and Neva Fairchild, President, Braile Revival League of Texas - 4-25PM Where Is Braille In General in This Country?
How are the Braille Revival League and ACB Working Together to Promote Braille Literacy?
What Do We Think The Future of Braille Is In This Country?
Facilitator: Paul Edwards, Immediate Past President, Braille Revival League
Open for Q&A and general discussion. - 4:55PM Wrap-up and Closing Remarks: Denise Colley