Louis Braille, who revolutionized the world for people who are blind with the invention of his raised dot writing system, was born on January 4, 1809. Every January, we recognize Braille Literacy Month to affirm the importance of braille, which has given countless people with vision loss access to written information over the decades. As technology has advanced to provide more options for receiving written information, the number of people who use braille has declined, though braille literacy data is far out of date, probably due to the false notion that braille is no longer relevant in the modern world. The reality is that braille remains as important as ever.
Not everyone needs to be proficient enough in braille to read a novel. Even very basic braille skills can empower people with vision loss to live more independently. For example, you can use braille to label food packages, medications and other household items. Room signs in office buildings and elevator controls often include braille. And many government agencies, financial institutions and health care entities make their forms available in braille.
Here in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee-based nonprofit Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement (ABLE) is working to ensure that braille users can continue to read everything from novels to medical forms to greeting cards. ABLE started in 1965 after founder Sr. Melmarie Stoll found a dire lack of braille material available for young students. Today, they work tirelessly to transcribe written works into braille for people across Wisconsin.
“Braille literacy is as important today as it was in the past,” says ABLE Executive Director Cheryl Orgas. “Braille literacy leads to satisfying and competitive employment in adulthood. With access to refreshable braille displays, braille is more accessible than ever before.”
ABLE provides brailling and braille translation services throughout the state. A team of both staff and volunteers works to create braille and tactile materials for a variety of clients. Examples include learning materials for schools, community members looking to make a braille copy of their own written work, and beginning this year, even our own Council Courier newsletter.
If you’ve received braille material at a concert or event in Wisconsin, ABLE probably transcribed and printed that material. ABLE works with arts organizations like the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and American Players Theater to create programs and other materials for their performances. ABLE also works with the annual Summerfest music festival and the Wisconsin State Fair to transcribe events schedules into braille. They even help transcribe braille ballots for Wisconsin elections.
ABLE’s biggest partner, however, is the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL), as they are tasked with brailling materials WTBBL distributes, from newsletters to children’s books. ABLE also records audio versions of works by Wisconsin authors provided by the organization.
You can honor Braille Literacy Month by learning more about the services ABLE provides on their website at ABLENow.org.
