Nova Scotia Marks Braille Day

Activities to mark Braille Day and to promote the use and understanding of the Braille system will be held throughout Nova Scotia over the next several weeks. Premier John Hamm has proclaimed Friday, Jan. 4, Braille Day in Nova Scotia.

Braille Day, which is observed around the world, aims to increase awareness of the impact that six raised dots can have in the lives of those who cannot read print. Used in various combinations, the six magic dots used in Braille form the letters of the alphabet, musical notations, chemistry symbols, numbers and punctuation.

Louis Braille lost his sight at the age of three after an eye injury in his father's harness-making workshop in France. Twenty years later, he invented the system of using six raised dots that today bears his name and is used around the world.

"Braille is a building block to literacy, independence and successful employment," said Community Services Minister Peter Christie, who is also the Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission Act. "It is a wonderful and powerful tool that provides access to information and contact with other people."

"Braille continues to open doors to independence and provides choices for educational and professional opportunities," said Robert Ganong of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. "Although the advent of computer technology has improved access for persons who are blind, Braille continues to be an essential tool to achieve real literacy."

A new award has been established by CNIB to recognize businesses and institutions that use and promote the use of Braille to provide access to goods and services by blind and vision-impaired citizens. The Nova Scotia Braille Prize will be presented during the annual White Cane Week celebrations. Nominations will be received at any office of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind until Jan. 15.

Activities to help people learn more about the Braille system will culminate during White Cane Week, which begins on Monday, Feb. 4.

The Nova Scotia Regional Libraries will sponsor a series of sessions called Lunch and Learn about Braille. The sessions will provide an opportunity for students and interested citizens visiting their local library to learn about the importance of the Braille system. As well, a unique Braille poster will be on display at regional libraries. This interactive poster, which was developed to highlight the importance of the Braille system, is an excellent learning tool for all ages.

The schedule for the lunch and learn session and the Braille poster follows:

• Jan. 3 and 4, Western Counties Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Jan. 4, from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Paulette Sweeney-Goodwin, 902-742-2486.

• Jan. 10 and 11, Annapolis Valley Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Jan. 10, from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Sherrie Keans, 902-665-2995.

• Jan. 17 and 18, Colchester East-Hants Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Jan. 17 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. For more information, contact Daphne Craig, 902-895-4183.

• Jan. 23 and 24, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Jan. 24, from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Linda Arsenault, 902-755-6031.

• Jan. 30 and 31, Cape Breton Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Jan. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Theresa MacDonald, 902-562-3279.

• Feb. 6 and 7, Eastern Counties Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. Details on the lunch and learn are available from Lesley Carruthers, 902-747-2597.

• Feb. 15 and 16, Cumberland County Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Francis Newman, 902-667-2135.

• Feb. 21 and 22, Halifax Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn session will take place on Feb. 22 from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Ken Burke, 902-490-5744.

• Feb. 27 and 28, South Shore Regional Library: The Braille poster will be on display. The lunch and learn will take place on Feb. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Theresa Workman, 902-543-3278.

More information on Braille is available the Canadian National Institute for the Blind Web site, at www.cnib.ca/braille_information/index.htm .