On February 21st, 2012, the Fifth National Braille Day,
our Institution, the provincial Chapter of the Italian Blind Union, in
collaboration with the Sala Borsa Library, have organized a conference on
the Braille code.
During the presentation, which was held at the Sala
Borsa Library, Braille writing aids were made available to library
visitors: from the simple stylus to the Braille slate, and the computer
with a screen reader and Braille display.
Many visitors asked questions
about Braille, leafed through Braille books and asked to have their names
written in Braille.
As one can imagine, school-children present at the
library were most of all attracted by the computer and its voice synthesis
and Braille display.
Some people asked us
information about attending a Braille course, and we realized how much Braille tickles people's curiosity. We also noticed that a lot of people only vaguely knew about Braille, and how some of the most simple everyday life activities for those who do not see are still so surprising to those who never met a blind or visually impaired person before.