World Braille Day
December 19, 2018 United Nations General Assembly declared 4 th
January as World Braille Day. World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4 th
every year to encourage blind and visually impaired people to read books and
publications.
What is Braille? Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and
numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even
musical mathematical and scientific symbols. Braille is used by blind and
partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed
in a visual font. Actually, Braille is essential for blind and partially sighted
people in ensuring that important information is communicated to them and
others, and as an expression of professionalism, independence and equality for
them.
Furthermore, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Braille is a means of communication for the
blind. It has important implications for the usage of the right to freedom of
education and thought. As referred to in Article 21 and 24 of the Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Braille is intended to provide access to
information and communication in written form as well as the social contexts
for blind people.
Humay HALLYEVA,
the 1st-year student
of the
Faculty of International Journalism
of
the Institute of International Relations
of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.