Supporting Vision Health and Accessibility

Vision plays a vital role in how people connect, learn, and engage with the world. From reading and writing to recognising faces and navigating daily life, healthy vision supports communication, independence, and overall well-being. While protecting eye health remains essential, accessibility ensures that individuals with visual impairments are equally empowered to learn, work, and participate in society.

One of the most important tools supporting accessibility is Braille. Developed in the 19th century by Louis Braille, a French educator who lost his sight at a young age, the Braille system transformed how people with visual impairments access information. Using a structured pattern of raised dots, Braille enables users to read and write through touch, making literacy, education, and information sharing possible without reliance on sight. Today, Braille is used worldwide in books, signage, packaging, currency, and digital devices, continuing to bridge gaps in communication and knowledge.

World Braille Day, commemorated annually on 4 January—Louis Braille’s birthday—serves as a global reminder of the importance of accessibility and inclusion. The day highlights Braille as a fundamental means of communication for people who are blind or visually impaired and reinforces the need to support equal access to information.

By promoting vision health, advancing accessible solutions, and recognising milestones such as World Braille Day, we take meaningful steps toward building a more inclusive society—one where everyone can communicate, learn, and live with dignity and independence.