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Refreshing and Rethinking Braille Awareness Presentations with a Focus on Equity and Accessibility

    Creator: CNIB Foundation, National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI)

    Date Updated: March 25, 2024

    Overview

    This presentation discusses approaches to raising awareness of braille literacy beyond sharing information about braille. It emphasizes engaging braille readers in co-designing lessons to foster inclusion and accessibility. Some examples of lessons that were shown include connecting braille to coding, discussing the diversity of assistive technologies for braille use, and demonstrating where braille is found in the world. Books highlighting the inclusion of disabled characters were also shared to promote the positive messaging of authentic experiences in the blind/low-vision community. The presentation concluded by encouraging practitioners to go beyond raising awareness of braille to highlight how good/bad design can impact accessibility and how it is a shared responsibility. This presentation will be informative for library staff, educators, parents, and braille readers.

    The information on this page is summarized from the Refreshing and Rethinking Braille Awareness YouTube video.

    Quick Facts

    • Participatory approaches are emphasized where braille readers are engaged in co-designing presentations, not just as presenters.
    • Raising braille awareness benefits students who read braille, their peers, and educators by increasing understanding and inclusion.
    • Examples are given of programs that engage communities in learning about braille through activities, events, and resources, such as creating braille using tools and promoting braille at community events in libraries.
    • Presentations can move beyond just awareness to situate braille in discussions of equity and inclusion.
    • Using “braille fails” can start conversations around accessibility challenges faced by braille users, such as poorly placed braille signage.
    • Disability simulations as a strategy for fostering empathy can be problematic as they can leave participants with a poor impression of disability.
    • Comparing formatting can help make connections between braille and coding, allowing participants to understand fundamental digital accessibility concepts and how various formats like braille fit into the larger picture of access.
    • A variety of assistive technologies for braille access are highlighted, not just braille itself.
    • Books featuring inclusion and equity are recommended to add positive messaging to discussions.

    For more information, go to the Refreshing and Rethinking Braille Awareness YouTube video.

    Reference

    Wilton, A., Brophey, K., & Jesso, J. (2022, March 5). Refreshing and rethinking braille awareness presentations with a focus on equity and accessibility. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LrWxERD2G8+Quick