Help a visually-handicapped person read using the Braille kit!

History of the Braille code

The Braille system was originally devised as a system for French soldiers to communicate silently and without light. In 1821 Napoleon visited the National Institute for the Blind in Paris, France, where he met Louis Braille. Braille identified the major failing of the code, which was that the human finger could not encompass the whole symbol without moving, and so could not move rapidly from one symbol to another. His modification was to use a 6 dot cell — the Braille system — which revolutionized written communication for the blind.

Why is it important?

Learning the Braille code is the starting point in the education of a blind person. It forms the core of the classroom curriculum at the school run by the Blind People’s Association in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Jay, a blind student at BPA, reading a Braille book.

The Braille press at BPA

Since books are not produced in Braille language on a commercial basis, the BPA runs a Braille press on its campus at Ahmedabad. With this press, books on various subjects are translated and printed in the Braille code and provided to students at BPA and through other channels to various non-profits working for the benefit of the blind.

The Braille press at BPA, Ahmedabad

Regular content being translated into Braille for printing at BPA

What is the Braille kit?

The Braille kit consists of various instruments that enable a blind person to read and write in the Braille code. The kit also consists of a Braille version of a geometry box and abacus.

The Braille Kit

This template enables a person to write (punch) the Braille code on a paper

The Braille version of a geometry box and an abacus

Why are most people unable to get a Braille kit themselves?

This Braille kit is manufactured by a limited number of vendors (the model distributed by BPA is manufactured in Tamil Nadu in South India) and therefore, not easily available in the open market. In addition, this kit is more expensive than most items kids usually use at school (a standard geometry box costs $1 in India), so a majority of the parents from poor communities are not in a position to afford it. Therefore, they are usually dependent on the ones made available to the child for use during school hours only. This limits the child’s ability to get familiar with the language and therefore, learn at a faster pace.

By donating a Braille kit for a child’s personal use, you will be helping them to pick up the language faster and keep pace with the learning environment in their classes.