January 4th is World Braille Day

World Braille Day

Every year on January 4th, the world comes together to observe World Braille Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the life-changing impact of braille for people living with blindness and visual impairment.

This day commemorates the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille code, and serves as a reminder of the power of accessibility in employment.

The legacy of Louis Braille

Louis Braille was born on January 4 1809 in France and he became blind after a childhood accident. He developed the Braille code at the age of 15 as he was determined to overcome the limitations he faced because of his disability. This innovative system of raised dots revolutionised communication and literacy for visually impaired people, opening doors to employment opportunities that were once unimaginable.

Empowering employment through braille

CoAct recognises the crucial role that accessibility plays in creating inclusive workplaces. World Braille Day provides an opportunity to highlight the significance of braille in empowering individuals with visual impairments in the workforce. Here are several ways in which braille contributes to creating employment opportunities:

Accessible communication

Braille empowers people with visual impairments to independently access written information. In the workplace, this means that important documents, training materials, and even everyday communication are made accessible.

Education and training

Access to education and training is an important part of the journey to securing meaningful employment. Braille means inclusion for blind people and those with visual impairments and this can be in everything from various educational programs to support that ensures the right skills and knowledge are acquired for a person’s chosen career.

Equal access to information

Information is power and braille allows for equal access to a wealth of resources. This accessibility is fundamental for enabling people with visual disability to stay informed about what’s happening at work with industry trends, workplace policies, and professional development opportunities.

Independence in the workplace

The ability to navigate physical environments independently is important for confidence at work. Braille signage and labels empower people with visual impairments to move confidently around their workplaces, fostering a sense of autonomy.

Inclusive work environments

Organisations that prioritise accessibility, for example by providing braille materials, cultivate inclusive work environments. This benefits every employee as it contributes to a culture of diversity and respect.

CoAct customer success stories

World Braille Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people living and working with blindness and visual impairment.

Read Khan’s story to learn about how CoAct and our service partners <> can support people in overcoming barriers to employment that suits their individual needs by provided the right resources, training, funding, and accessibility tools such as braille in the workplace.

CoAct’s commitment to inclusion

As an advocate for inclusive employment, CoAct is vocal about the importance of workplaces that embrace diversity. World Braille Day is a reminder of our ongoing commitment to providing accessible and equitable opportunities for people with disability throughout Australia.

By acknowledging the power of braille in the workplace we contribute to a world where people of all abilities can thrive in their chosen careers and contribute to community.

Register here today if you would like to find out more about how CoAct and our service partners in your local area can provide dedicated job search support, job ready and jobseeker programs to help you reach employment goals, and ongoing support when you’re employed.