BLC 2021 Symposium (4/10) - How Many Braille Readers?
Channel: Braille Literacy Canada
Date: 16/08/2021

On June 4, 2021, Braille Literacy Canada held its first ever virtual Braille Symposium, including four presentations and question-and-answer sessions by renowned speakers in the braille world. 

For more information, see https://www.brailleliteracycanada.ca/en/programs/workshops/symposium2021.

In this video, Frances Mary D'Andrea explores statistics, and specifically: How many braille readers are in the United States? This question is surprisingly difficult to answer. This presentation will report on research conducted with colleagues to search for "the statistic" that is so elusive. The project included a search of the literature from the early 20th century up to the present day to determine the number of braille reading children and adults in the United States, describing the terms and definitions used by different sources. More importantly, this presentation will invite a discussion about why this is an issue with important policy implications. Has there been a decline in braille readership in recent years? Has the nature of what is means to be a "braille reader" changed with the advent of technology? What research needs to be conducted regarding braille literacy? These and other public policy issues are discussed in light of the search results.