Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland is celebrating 200 years of braille, the revolutionary writing system for blind and partially sighted people. Developed by Louis Braille in 1824, it uses raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation, and abbreviations. Braille has not only stood the test of time but continues to evolve, offering individuals with sight loss a vital means of communication, independence, and empowerment.
Jim McCafferty, a long-standing advocate for accessible formats from Glasgow, reflects on his lifelong relationship with braille: "Braille has had a massive and very positive impact on my life, and to be perfectly honest, I really do not know how I could do without it. It has allowed me to enjoy an independent and varied life, both personally and professionally."
Jim with a large braille book.
Jim, who was registered blind at age three and first learned braille at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, went on to build a career in braille production and proofreading, working for over 40 years. His dedication to promoting accessible formats also saw him serve on the board of UKAAF (UK Association for Accessible Formats), where he edited the magazine Format Matters for nearly 11 years.
Reflecting on his experiences, Jim credits braille with being an indispensable tool that enables people with sight loss to remain engaged in daily life. "I use braille to keep my records up to date — whether it’s bank details, utility information, or passport numbers. I still read a lot, but if I want to ensure that information is kept confidential, I write it in braille."
As a champion of braille, Jim highlights the urgent need for more braille teachers to ensure this essential skill continues to benefit future generations. "There just aren’t enough braille teachers. If more people could spread the word and teach this marvellous means of communication, more vision-impaired people — and even their sighted peers — would be encouraged to learn it."
Jim also speaks of the evolving role of braille in the modern digital world. "In recent years, devices containing a braille keyboard and display have been developed, which has helped to promote the reading and writing system. What I find gratifying is the introduction of reasonably priced note-takers, such as the Orbit and Braille Me, making braille more accessible to people around the world."
The anniversary of braille’s invention also provides an opportunity for sight loss organisations to come together and promote its importance. Jim states, "It is my firm belief that all organisations of or for vision impaired people should work together more closely. If this is done with braille, an excellent method of communication will have a great future — hopefully for the next 200 years."
For those just starting their journey with braille, Jim offers some heartfelt advice: "Give learning braille all you’ve got. You don’t need to know the system intricately, but learning the alphabet and numbers will allow you to communicate and keep track of important information. It will help you maintain your independence and improve your life skills."
