Most people have heard of Braille, but unless you have a blind family member of friend you probably do not know that many details about Braille.
What is Braille?
It is important to remember that Braille is not its own language. Braille is an alternative way to read languages that already exist. The dots people associate in Braille are arranged in different combinations to represent different letters. There are different combinations of dots of each language. A person reading in English in Braille and a person reading in French in Braille would not be using the same letter codes.
Where did Braille Come From?
Braille was invented by a teenage boy named Louis Braille who lived in the early 1800s. Louis was born with full sight, but injured one of his eyes during a childhood accident. Feeling left out in school, Louis used his creative and scientific talents to come up with a way that he could read and write. While studying, Louis learned about a dot system initially used by the French army. Louis put his own spin on the idea and soon after Braille was born. Louis even published the first Braille. Although Braille benefited him, it was not originally accepted by teachers and doctors of his day. But like many great inventors, after his death, Braille eventually caught on and helps millions of blind people everywhere to this day.
Modern Braille
Braille has come a long way since days of Louis Braille and so has technology. Braille can be found everywhere these days. Braille is often found on ATM machines, so that visually impaired individuals can access their bank accounts with out assistance. Braille can also be put on cell phones and computers so that blind people can be independent workers. Braille is popular in elevators to help blind people who live in apartment complexes or stay in hotels while on vacation.
