World Braille Day (January 4th)
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” - Helen Keller
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly declared January 4th to be World Braille Day as a kickoff for January’s larger Braille Literacy Month. January 4th was the chosen day because it is the birthday of Louis Braille. Braille was a French educator born in 1809 who invented the eponymous braille system of writing and reading for visually impaired people. Braille himself lost his eyesight in childhood after an accident and subsequent infection. Braille is a tactile system and allows individuals to read with their hands and write through embossment. Although the system has remained largely unchanged since its inception, technological advancements have made the system compatible with computers and smartphones!
In commemoration of World Braille Day we here at SHARE Detroit want to highlight four of our partners who continue Louis Braille’s legacy of education: Penrickton Center for Blind Children and Seedlings Braille Books for Children. The Penrickton Center offers free educational services for blind and multi-disabled children and Seedlings produces and distributes low-cost, if not free, braille books, an important service as braille books can be quite expensive. Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired offers extensive training in daily living skills, technology classes including keyboarding, smartphone usage, and Zoom; orientation and mobility for safe travel, and opportunities to socialize for blind and visually impaired individuals. Leader Dogs for the Blind helps thousands of people who are blind, visually impaired or Deaf-Blind and in critical need of developing the skills required to travel safely and independently.
We hope that you will take the time to support these organizations by attending an event, volunteering time, donating money, or shopping their wish-lists! If you are still in search of a nonprofit to support, please check out our directory here.
About SHARE Detroit
SHARE Detroit is a community initiative with opportunities to do good across the tri-county area. A robust online platform makes giving easy by connecting generous people to the greatest needs in the community. SHAREDetroit.org offers local nonprofits a chance to be seen and heard, regardless of cause or size, and work together. Learn more at sharedetroit.org.