In continuing to celebrate Braille Literacy Month, a number of events are coming up. Following are descriptions of a few of those offered online:
On January 18, 2024, at 12 pm ET, Divide and Conquer: Overcome Challenges with Split Braille and JAWS, sponsored by Freedom Scientific, will delve into the JAWS 2024 Split Braille feature. This innovation enables users to navigate and read text from different parts of the screen on a single, refreshable braille line. To find out more and register for this Zoom program, check out the free training webinar entitled “Divide and Conquer: Overcome Challenges with Split Braille and JAWS”. For additional information on Split Braille and other new offerings, read the press release announcing that Freedom Scientific Releases Version 2024 JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion.
On January 19, 2024 at 2 pm CT (3 pm ET), Braille and Beyond!, from the Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC), will offer a fun and informative conversation with Alice O’Reilly, chief of the Collections Divisions, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). Participants will learn about NLS resources in audio and braille and how to enroll with local NLS cooperating libraries. Learn more and register here for Braille and Beyond!
A collaboration of several organizations in Canada is providing a series of virtual events throughout January in celebration of World Braille Days. Upcoming programs include:
On January 18, 2024 from 10 to 11:30 am Pacific Time (PT; 1 to 2:30 pm ET), a Writer’s Festival will feature blind authors, Andrew Leland and Jinnie Smith, showcasing their recent work and discussing “connections to braille within their works and lived experience.” Register here for the Writer’s Festival.
On January 20, 2024, from 10 to 11:30 am PT (1 to 2:30 ET), a Content Creators’ presentation will bring together four panelists to discuss “how braille is an integral part of their art-making process.” Panelists are Grant Hardy, Jen Jesso, Wendy Edey, and Kim Kilpatrick, covering such topics as independent storytelling and media creation. Register here for the Content Creators Panel.
The full series of events will be recorded and posted for future viewing. For more information, read the NNELS webpage on World Braille Days (WBD) 2024.
World Braille Day Event Recording
A panel convened by Sight and Sound Technology discussed what braille means in their lives as well as the value of braille today. Panelists were from countries all over the world, such as New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Access the World BrailleDay Recording on YouTube here.
