World Braille Day: Online Events

December 21, 2021

In celebration of World Braille Day, Braille Literacy Canada (BLC), the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), the CNIB Foundation, the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), and the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI) are organizing a series of online events.

This celebration of braille is open to people of all ages who are curious about braille, either practically, professionally, or somewhere in between! Target audiences include all braille readers, library staff, and educators. The celebration will be conducted virtually on Zoom.

All sessions (excluding any live Q&A) will be recorded and posted publicly after the series of events has concluded. Even if you’re unable to attend, please register to receive an email notification when the recordings are available.

For more information about this series of events, please contact braille@nnels.ca

Looking Through the Crystal Ball: Innovations in Braille Technology for the 21st Century and Beyond

Saturday, January 8, 2022

10 am Pacific / 11 am Mountain / 12 noon Central / 1 pm Eastern / 2 pm Atlantic / 2:30 pm NST

Register online by Tuesday, January 4, 2022 (World Braille Day)

Session length: 90 minutes

Description: The evolution of braille technology tells a story of break-through innovations and exciting possibilities. While there was a time not too long ago when braille could only be accessed on paper, we’ve now moved from the earliest single-line displays to multi-line displays, eBRF, tactile graphic tablets and more. What were some of the earliest braille devices that would surprise you today, and which do braille users wish would return to the market? What are the most exciting present-day innovations and how will they change the playing field? Why is it that some technology never takes hold? As we look ahead, what are some remaining gaps in the industry and what do braille users hope to see on the horizon? Come and join us as a panel of braille users share their views on innovations in braille technology, their wishes for the future, and what they feel developers should know. If you love braille and are excited about technology, this event is for you!

Target Audience: This event will be especially of interest to all braille users, but is open to anyone, including technology developers and others in the field of visual impairment.

Language of Delivery: English

Building Braille Inclusion in Libraries

Thursday, January 13, 2022

10 am Pacific / 11 am Mountain / 12 noon Central / 1 pm Eastern / 2 pm Atlantic / 2:30 pm NST

Register online by Monday, January 10, 2022

Session length: 90 minutes

Description: This event will begin with a live reading of a print-braille book. We will then explore strategies for libraries to create inclusive programs such as storytime, story boxes or literature kits, STEAM programming, makerspaces, 3D printing, games, and accessible book clubs. A live demonstration of a refreshable braille display will be followed by a discussion of which digital content in your library can be accessed using this type of assistive technology. Information on how libraries and braille users can access braille resources from services such as CELA, NNELS, and BAnQ, as well as a question-and-answer period, will conclude the event.

Target Audience: Librarians and library staff; Library users, including families. Everyone is welcome.

Language of Delivery: English

Tools for Your Toolbox: Braille Resources for French Speakers of All Ages

Thursday, January 20, 2022

10 am Pacific / 11 am Mountain / 12 noon Central / 1 pm Eastern / 2 pm Atlantic / 2:30 pm NST

Register online by Monday, January 17, 2022

Session length: 90 minutes

Description: Are you a TVI, an educator, or a parent of a braille reader? Have you been searching for books and other braille-related resources in French? In honour of World Braille Day, we invite you to this workshop, which will focus on resources for French speakers across the country. Whether you are looking for educational material, leisure reading or games, or you just want to learn the basics of the braille code, it can be a challenge to find these resources in French. Come and join us to learn what is available and how you can access it.

Target Audience: TVIs and members of students’ educational teams.

Language of Delivery: French

Refreshing and Rethinking Braille Awareness Presentations with a Focus on Equity and Accessibility

Thursday, January 27, 2022

10 am Pacific / 11 am Mountain / 12 noon Central / 1 pm Eastern / 2 pm Atlantic / 2:30 pm NST

Register online by Monday, January 24, 2022

Session length: 90 minutes

Description: This session will emphasize both braille awareness activities and the importance of braille in accessible design. Strategies will focus on the process of co-designing a classroom or community-based presentation with braille users. TVIs and members of students’ educational teams will learn a variety of methods to introduce the braille code to classroom audiences as well as strategies for engaging students in a broader conversation around accessibility, equity, and inclusion at school and in their communities.

Target Audience: While the session is geared to educators, students who read braille are also welcome to attend!

Language of Delivery: English

(Via National Network for Equitable Library Service)