Government in the south south states have been called upon to make Braille more accessible to the visually impaired this year.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, South South, made the call in a statement signed by the Zonal Chairperson, South South, Comrade Stella Macaulay and Zonal Secretary, Comrade Eunice Emeyazia, to mark the 2024 World Braille Day.
The women Journalists said Braille remained a tactile reading and writing system and a vital means of communication, especially for those who relied on the use of touch to communicate their needs and access information.
They listed the use of Braille to include, Journaling, Computer-programming, web designs, Creating planners/ staying organized, Writing private documents, transcribing academic content, delivering speech from manuscript, making credit/debit cards accessible, Fitness classes and routines, music and games, saying that Braille grants those with impaired vision the freedom to access information independently and in a way that makes sense to them.
Advocating the rights of the visually impaired, the group urged government and non governmental organizations, as well as philanthropists to reach out with Braille to indigent persons experiencing challenge in their sight, as it would help improve their lives.
Describing the theme for World Braille Day 2024, “Empowering Through Inclusion and Diversity” as apt, the women Journalists stated that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs which harped on digital inclusion of all people would be achieved when more visually impaired persons have easy access to information and communication technologies.
They urged parents with visually impaired children to shower them with love and give them access to Braille literacy, for a better future.
World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4th each year, to honour the legacy and contributions of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille, used by millions of blind and partially sighted people. The day also promotes Braille literacy, and advocates the rights of the blind.