Blind Low Vision New Zealand says World Braille Day, celebrated today, is an opportunity to recognise the system's importance.
Photo: 123RF
The day is marked by the birthday of Louis Braille, the Frenchman who developed braille aged 15.
Blind Low Vision chief executive John Mulka says it's a significant day for anyone with vision loss.
He says he wants to see the government prioritise braille more, including in public health messaging.
Mulka says Covid-19 information, for example, was produced in braille but only as an afterthought.
He says the government needs to recognise that many New Zealanders rely on braille as their primary form of communication.
Meanwhile an advocate is holding braille writing events at two Dunedin cafes today to celebrate World Braille Day.
Julie Woods is on a mission to write 1,000,000 names in braille.
She has been writing people's names at the Rhubarb Cafe and then the Nova Cafe.