WORLD BRAILLE DAY
On December 19, 2018 United Nations General Assembly declared 4 January as World Braille Day. World Braille Day is celebrated every year on 4 January to encourage blind and visually impaired people to read books and publications.
Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, as well as musical mathematical and scientific symbols.
Braille is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.
Braille is essential for blind and partially sighted people as it ensures that important information is communicated to them and others. It also serves as an expression of professionalism, independence and equality for them.
Furthermore, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Braille is recognized as means of communication for blind people. It has important implications for the exercise of the right to education and freedom of thoughts. As referred to in Article 21 and 24 of the Convention, Braille is intended to provide access to information and communication in written form as well as to facilitate participation in social contexts for blind people.
Bereket OVEZGELDIYEV,
the 5th year student of the Faculty of International Journalism
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.