Mitchell Library in Glasgow will host a special event next week (Tuesday January 28) celebrating the importance of braille and tactile literacy.
Organised by sight loss charity RNIB in partnership with Glasgow Libraries, ‘Braille and Beyond’ is marking the two hundredth anniversary of braille and is open to everyone.
The event promises a day of engaging activities, informative talks, and networking opportunities for those who use braille and anyone curious about its transformative impact.
Leading sight loss organisations will be attending, and visitors can explore a variety of information, products and resources that support visually impaired individuals in their daily lives, as well as learn about the heritage of braille as a powerful tool for literacy and independence.
Inspiration
Scheduled speakers will provide further inspiration and insights into the significance of braille.
RNIB’s inclusive design ambassador Dave Williams will present Braille 200, reflecting on the evolution and ongoing relevance of the tactile writing system, while Matthew Clark, an inclusive design consultant with RNIB, will share his personal journey with braille, recounting how he learned the system at the very library he is now speaking at.
His talk will offer a unique perspective on how braille can empower individuals to access knowledge and communication.
Dave Williams, RNIB’s Inclusive Design Ambassador who is blind and a lifelong braille user, said: “Braille is reading designed for our fingers just like print is designed for our eyes.
“Braille enables my wife to identify her many medications and gave me the confidence to deliver a best man speech at my friend’s wedding.
“It’s a vital tool for professionals across a variety of fields, such as the politician or lawyer who has to rely on braille to deliver legally binding statements verbatim, or musicians like Stevie Wonder who told me how he uses braille to create and edit his song lyrics.
“Braille readers are more likely to be employed than blind people who don’t read braille and this highlights a critical need to expand braille education, ensuring that more children with vision impairment and adults with sight loss can benefit from this powerful tool.
“Supporting braille education and resources is a crucial step towards an inclusive society. We’re doing the RNIB Braille and Beyond tour to celebrate the story of braille so far and it will be up to blind and partially sighted people across the UK to write the next chapter.”
Braille enables my wife to identify her many medications and gave me the confidence to deliver a best man speech at my friend’s wedding - Dave Williams
Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “We are proud to work with RNIB to host this event at the Mitchell Library, celebrating 200 years of braille and its profound impact on literacy and inclusion.
“Glasgow Libraries are dedicated to providing resources and spaces that everyone can use. This event is a great reminder of why accessibility matters and why it’s so important to make knowledge and opportunities open to all.
“We’re delighted to help highlight the power of braille and hope it inspires more people to see its value as a tool for independence and communication.”
Louis Braille was in his teens in the mid-1820s when he began developing the six-dot tactile reading system that enables millions of blind and partially sighted people around the world to access the power of literacy.
From September 2024, RNIB has been leading a year of celebrations across the UK to recognise the bicentenary of the braille code; braille continues to unlock access to countless opportunities in education, employment and independent living.
Versatility
Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, RNIB and its partners are highlighting braille’s versatility for representing written language and technical subjects, enabling blind and partially sighted people to learn, work and play.
The Mitchell Library event runs from 10am to 3pm in the Moir Dyer Room on the ground floor, with additional activities in the Resource Unit for Vision Impairment (RUVI).
The event will feature exhibitions, scheduled talks, and opportunities to explore cutting-edge resources for individuals with sight loss. Refreshments will also be available throughout the day, with a light lunch served at midday.
The Braille and Beyond events are made possible thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, which supports RNIB through funds awarded by Postcode Care Trust.
