Fewer blind Americans learning to use Braille

Key quotes:

“Fewer than 10 percent of the 1.3 million legally blind people in the United States read Braille, and just 10 percent of blind children are learning it.”
(National Federation of the Blind)

“Using technology as a substitute for Braille leaves blind people illiterate, the federation said, citing studies that show blind people who know Braille are more likely to earn advanced degrees, find good jobs and live independently.”

“Audio books are no substitute, said Carlton Walker, an attorney and the mother of a legally blind girl from McConnellsburg, Pa. Walker once met a blind teenager who had only listened to audio books; the teen was shocked to discover that ‘Once upon a time’ was four separate words.”

“[If audio books] were good enough for everybody, why do we spend millions of dollars teaching people to read?”
Carlton Walker, mother of legally blind girl

“[The report’s] immediate goal is to simply make people aware that there’s no substitute for Braille. It’s not just a tool to help people function —it can bring joy, Maurer said.”

“‘The concept of reading Braille for fun is a thing that lots of people don’t know,’ Maurer said. ‘And yet I do this every day. I love the beautiful, orderly lines of words that convey a different idea that can stimulate me or make me excited or sad. … This is what we’re trying to convey.’”