National Braille Literacy Month

January is National Braille Literacy Month. January was chosen for this celebration because it is the birth month of Louis Braille, the inventor of the system of raised dots that made it possible for people who are blind to read and write for themselves with independence and freedom.The Louis Braille School will help the community celebrate National Braille Literacy Month in two special ways.

Edmonds Public Library. During the month of January, the Louis Braille School will have a display in the main lobby showcase at the Edmonds Public Library. The exhibit will include instruments people who are blind use to write braille, braille books, braille maps, tactile illustrations and, of course, the story of Louis Braille. The Library is located at 560 Main in Edmonds. Phone: 425-771-1933.

Imagine Children’s Museum. On January 20, 2007, the Louis Braille School will participate in a special program presented by the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett. The program is called “Can You See Like I See?” and is for children ages 3 through 12. Imagine Children’s Museum is located at 1502 Wall Street, Everett, WA. Phone: 425-258-1008. Website: www.imaginecm.org

About Louis Braille

Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. An injury to his eye at age three resulted in total loss of vision. When he was ten, he entered the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, the world’s first school for blind children. There he would live, study, and later teach.

When Louis was fifteen, he developed an ingenious system of reading and writing by means of raised dots. Two years later he adapted his method to musical notation.

Mr. Braille accepted a full-time teaching position at the Institute when he was nineteen. He was a kind, compassionate teacher and an accomplished musician. He gave his life in selfless service to his pupils, to his friends, and to the perfection of his raised dot method, which is known today as braille.

Louis Braille died at age forty-three, confident that his mission on earth was completed.

To learn more about braille and Louis Braille go to our website and click on Resources.

charcoal portrait of Louis Braille
Charcoal portrait of Louis Braille
by Nancy Lucas Williams
© 1998, all rights reserved.

The original portrait hangs in the Louis Braille School.

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