BDNAB seeks to generate more Braille awareness

THE WORLD Braille Day is observed not only by the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB) but also the rest of the world in order to generate more public awareness about the importance of Braille.

It is one of the special days that the BDNAB observes annually "but it is seldom commemorated openly with the public as it is often more of an internal event where the visually impaired hold a Braille workshop, Braille training and a general gathering but mainly, it centres mostly on the importance of Braille literacy and proficiency within our own members," said Noralizulrainee Ali Yusop, the vice-president of the BDNAB.

This year's World Braille Day will be observed locally at the end of January at The Mall where an officiating ceremony will be held in the afternoon.

The general public is expected to play an important part in making the event a success.

The World Braille Day quiz winners will also be announced and a prize giving presentation will also be held that day.

The BDNAB also hopes to carry out a braille test for the visually impaired in order to test them as a form of fun and games to be incorporated with learning.

"This year we plan to have a few activities that will greatly involve the general public to participate and make it more fun and educational," Norali added.

The World Braille Day is observed on January 4 and is a day that commemorates Louis Braille, who revolutionised the lives of many visually impaired individuals, more than 200 years ago with his invention of a simple system of six raised dots.

The system has since developed the learning system for not only the blind but deaf and blind and visually impaired individuals to read and write independently.

Used in various combinations, the six "magic" dots can be used to form letters of the alphabet, musical notations, chemistry symbols, numbers and punctuation.

A special form of typewriter called the 'Brailler' is used to emboss these raised dots on paper through which the visually impaired can read using the tip of their fingers.

The BDNAB was officially formed in 2001 and was the 159th member to join the World Blind Union.

Apart from World Braille Day, the BDNAB also observes the World Sight Day and the World Blind Union.

Currently the BDNAB is located at the Fisrt Floor of Wisma Haji Taha Building in Gadong.

The Brunei Times