BRAILLE IS MORE THAN DOTS: THE POWER OF LITERACY, INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND BELONGING

Today, Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) speaks from the heart about Braille, a tactile handwriting made of dots that might seem small, but to many Rwandans from 1979, itopens whole worlds. Braille is not only a handwriting system but also literacy independence, dignity, selfconfidence, education and participation in daily life for the blind and partially sighted Rwandans.

At RUB, we see firsthand how Braille transforms lives. We know that when a blind and partially sighted child learns reading or writing Braille earlier, they don’t just learn words –they learn to believe in themselves to build a strong pathway of being informed and obtaining knowledge. Reading and writing braille of blind and partially sighted adults, give them the opportunity to reduce dependency in decision making without depending on someone else, embracing different opportunities such as: inclusive education, adopted vocational skills, rehabilitation services, engage in civic education and service delivery, etc.

RUB recalls everyone, either government and private institutions, individuals, non-governmental organizations and faith- based organizations to contribute on the availability of reading and writing braille materials in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. it helps build a more inclusive, equitable Rwandan society.

Recognizing that Rwandan government ratified the Marrakesh treaty in 2021 which aims to “help blind and partially sighted, print-disabled persons have access to books and other literary works in accessible formats”. RUB encourages all artists either authors, publishers or printing houses to rethink and take actions that aim to reduce book famine for Braille users.

MUGISHA Jacques

RUB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR