ONCE and Braille, from language to language
On the occasion of the celebration of World Braille Day, which takes place on January 4, the ONCE wants to claim that the Braille reading and writing system it becomes a language. Thanks to this language, millions of blind people around the world can access education, reading, information, leisure and employment. According to the ONCE, Braille plays a very important role in the autonomy of blind people.
Braille in education, more than a language
The Braille system It is a useful tool in the education of children who are blind or have a severe visual disability. The Braille alphabet allows these children to take notes, read a book, label their clothes, their books and their favorite music. Training for learning Braille is received in the Educational Resources Centers of the ONCE and in the integrated education classrooms of the State.
For a constant update of the Braille language and so that blind students do not lose contact with this literacy system, the ONCE annually produces Braille adaptations of textbooks that students with visual disabilities need, and leisure or study books that they want to read.
Braille, an updated language
The ONCE continues working so that the implementation of the Braille is massive in all the products of daily use that allow their labeling in this system. Its objective is that there be no ink sign left without its corresponding in this system.
Thus, Braille is present in all types of packaging from medicines and perfumery and cosmetic products to elevators and restaurant menus. Many companies have adopted Braille labeling in their products, and the ONCE intends that, little by little, many more will join.
The importance of Braille labeling is very evident in medicines, due to the repercussions that a wrong drug can have. Hence, the new drug law has made this measure mandatory. Other products that are marketed in boxes, jars, bottles, cans and cans are sometimes impossible to distinguish if the blind person can not read your label. Therefore, there is still a long way to go for Braille to be adapted by the labels of most products.
The role of the Braille Commission
The Braille system was created 200 years ago and in 1984 the ONCE created the Spanish Braille Commission (CBE) to determine the requirements that a braille sign must meet so that it can be easily read with the fingertips by blind people.
Each year, more than 100 companies request advice to this body to label products or signal installations, with the aim of the Braille system being used correctly. Large service companies and consumer products such as manufacturers of biscuits, preserves, cosmetics, beverages, baby cereals, etc. They are sensitized with the use of Braille and offer their products labeled correctly.
Marisol Nuevo Espín
