World Braille Day 2026: Govt urged to subsidise assistive devices

___________________

The Uganda National Association of the Blind (UNAB) has called on the Government to subsidise Braille equipment and assistive technologies to improve access to education, information and employment for persons with visual impairment.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday (February 25), UNAB executive director Dennis Tumwebaze said essential devices such as Orbit Readers, Perkins Braillers, eyeglasses, white canes, Braille displays and screen reader software remain out of reach for many poor and vulnerable Ugandans.

“These devices are critical for meaningful participation in education, access to information and gainful employment. Yet for many families, they remain unaffordable,” Tumwebaze said.

He noted that the production and distribution of Braille materials in Uganda remain limited, leaving many learners without the tools they need to succeed academically.

UNAB has therefore urged policymakers, educators, development partners and communities to prioritise inclusive learning environments and increase investment in accessible materials and assistive technologies.

World Braille Day, observed annually on January 4, commemorates the invention of the Braille system by Louis Braille. The day recognises the right to information, independence and dignity for millions of people who are blind or visually impaired around the world.

Braille is a tactile reading and writing system that uses raised dots to represent letters, numbers, punctuation and mathematical symbols. It remains one of the most important accessible formats for literacy and numeracy among persons with visual impairment. Through touch, learners can read textbooks, write examinations, access public information and communicate independently.

“Braille is not merely a code; it is a gateway to education, employment and full participation in society,” Tumwebaze said.

He added that in Uganda, Braille continues to serve as a cornerstone of literacy, education and independent living. UNAB commended visually impaired Ugandans who have excelled in academia, public service, business and advocacy.

“Their achievements demonstrate that disability is not inability when reasonable accommodation and equal opportunities are provided,” he said.

UNAB continues to offer Braille transcription and related services to schools and institutions to promote access to information. The association also provides training, resources and advocacy support to ensure that learners with visual impairment access quality education without barriers.

At the community level, UNAB called on families, schools and institutions to promote positive attitudes towards blindness and to support the learning and use of Braille.

“Inclusion begins with awareness, acceptance and deliberate action,” Tumwebaze emphasised. UNAB reaffirmed its commitment to advancing literacy, accessibility and empowerment for all persons with visual impairment, urging stakeholders to work together to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge, dignity and equal opportunity.