How much do you know about blindness and Braille Literacy in the United States? I've researched this topic and found that it is astounding that in this day and age we have such a high rate of people who are blind who are unable to function simply because they have not been taught braille.
With many of our newer computer systems it's fortunate that there are systems like JAWS available to help. But Braille Literacy continues to be a struggle here in the United States (and even more pronounced abroad).
Maybe you can find a way to bring awareness of the need for a braille literacy program into your community. Think about it - there are many tools that are available to you free of charge. Just think about the difference you can make in someones life!
Are you aware that there are approximately 10 million blind and visually impaired people in the United States? Of that number approximately 1.3 million fall into the category of "legally blind" which is defined as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. I am nearly considered to be at this stage in one eye from visual field loss.
Students who fall into this category number 93,600 visually impaired or blind students, 10,800 of whom are deaf-blind as well and are served in thousands of special programs in our schools each year.
With advances in technology, some feel that Braille is outdated - since we now have the availability of 'talking books' and other tools. But consider this: would you want your child only getting his or her learning tools from television or radio? Don't you prefer them to read on their own?
Braille literacy - the ability to read and write - is even more critical than you might think. Literacy can mean the difference for someone to be self sufficient, to hold down a job, to create a shopping list. Being literate means that a person being blind will have the same opportunities to participate at home in in society.
This will be the first diary in a series that I would like to discuss more about what you can do in your community to promote awareness of braille literacy programs.
My first recommendation to you is to consider this:
ReadBooks! is a national children's braille literacy program to encourage families with blind children to read print/braille books together.
Sponsored by National Braille Press.
How can you get involved?
National Braille Press, along with Seedlings Braille Books for Children, is distributing attractive braille book bags to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the country. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals.
Each bag contains:
1. An age-appropriate print/braille book for three age groups: birth-3, 4-5, and 6-7 in English or Spanish;
2. A braille primer for sighted parents entitled Just Enough to Know Better;
3. A colorful print/braille place mat;
4. Print/braille bookmarks;
5. Because Books Matter, a guide for parents on why and how to read books with their young blind child;
6. A gift coupon redeemable for another print/braille book or braille/large print playing cards;
7. Print/braille magnetic letters.
What are your obligations?
Participants in the program agree to:
* Identify children who are potential braille readers, birth to seven, and their families;
* Personally deliver the book bags or supply us with the mailing address for identified families in their state;
* Help us to evaluate and improve the program.
How can I get started?
Visit National Braille Press website and sign up today.
Thank you for reading this diary!