News

Braille Literacy Canada Honours Karen (Kae) Brophey with the 2026 President’s Award

June 18, 2026 – President Daphne Hitchcock, on behalf of the board of Braille Literacy Canada (BLC), presented the 2026 President’s Award to Karen (Kae) Brophy at the Annual General Meeting held on June 6, 2026. Established in 2018 and awarded annually, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to braille literacy in Canada.

Kae has been a strong advocate of braille, who has worked diligently to develop programming which specifically benefits young learners and their families.

Kae worked at CNIB for 40 years. She began her career in the CNIB Library, Braille Department.

When she moved to the braille transcription department, Kae’s braille knowledge grew, and she continued to champion braille as her career evolved. Kae was an integral part of the creation and roll-out of many braille-centric resources and programs aimed at promoting literacy for readers who are blind or with low vision including,

  • Organizing the annual Creative Writing Contest, formerly known as the CNIB Braille Accuracy and Literary Contest which began in 1997.
  • “Where’s My Ball”, a program that provided families with a tactile print/braille book and promoted activities and resources to help young learners develop skills in tactile exploration, while introducing braille format.
  • Braille Club at the Hub,
  • Ontario Braille Challenge
  • National Book Club for adult readers and Accessibility of the TD Summer Reading Club.
  • Braille Writers Retreat at Camp Jo

Kae has also contributed to many successful community collaborations, including World Braille Days events. Kae retired in December 2025 as the Program Lead for Braille Literacy – CNIB Next Generation.

“Over the years that I have known Kae, I have been impressed with her innovative program ideas, her boundless enthusiasm and unwavering passion for braille literacy,” states BLC past-president, Daphne Hitchcock.

BLC is honoured to recognize Kae for her years of dedication to braille literacy, contributions to national programming and provision of educational opportunities for youth who are blind or with low vision.

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Braille Literacy Canada / Littératie braille Canada, founded in 1990 as the Canadian Braille Authority, is a national charitable organization led by a volunteer board of directors dedicated to the promotion of braille as the primary medium of literacy for those who are blind or visually impaired. BLC is recognized by the International Council on English Braille as the authority for the development, adoption, and establishment of standards relating to braille in Canada. BLC represents those working with or impacted by braille, with a membership comprising organizations, researchers, educators, braille transcribers, braille producers, parents of braille users and braille users themselves.

Podcasts on the BrailleNote Evolve from David Woodbridge

David Woodbridge is posting occasional episodes about the BrailleNote Evolve on his iSee – Using Various Technologies from a Blind Persons Perspective podcast. Currently, these include:

Eyes On Success Episode 2624: MEMS Technology Enables a Modern 2-D Tactile Display

Innovative MEMS technology is changing how the visually impaired can interact with digital information. Dave Schleppenbach from Tactile Engineering introduces the Cadence Tactile Tablet, a 2D refreshable display. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about how this modular device renders Braille text, complex graphics, and even live video.

Visit the podcast page

From Blazie Technologies: Recording Available: June 2026 Blazie Technologies Webinar

Did you miss last week’s webinar from Blazie Technologies?

Did you hear it but liked it so much that you want a second replay?

If you fall into the first camp, the problem is solved. If you’re in the second camp, who could blame you?

Whatever camp you’re in, a recording of our latest webinar is now available from our Web site’s Guides and Media page. We have lots of news and announcements, plus demos of some of what’s coming in our next update. Enjoy.

From the ICEVI-WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: World Day for Assistive Technology 2026

Literacy is the foundation of learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment. As the ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign continues its call for More Braille, More Empowerment, we mark World Day for Assistive Technology by recognising the important role that assistive technology can play in advancing braille literacy and expanding opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and have low vision.

Braille literacy remains a fundamental right and a cornerstone of inclusive education, lifelong learning, and meaningful participation in society. In an increasingly digital world, braille literacy and assistive technology together can create new pathways to learning, communication, independence, and participation across all stages of life.

When designed, developed, and deployed inclusively, assistive technology has the potential to transform how braille is taught, learned, accessed, and used. From refreshable braille displays and accessible learning platforms to emerging digital and AI-driven solutions, technology can strengthen braille teaching, expand opportunities for braille reading and writing, and support the development of literacy skills that foster independence, autonomy, confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

As recognised in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, access to braille, alternative formats, and assistive technology is essential to achieving inclusion and equal participation. We therefore encourage governments, educators, technology and AI developers, publishers, organisations of persons with disabilities, and development partners to work together to ensure that technological progress strengthens braille literacy and contributes to a more inclusive and accessible world.

Throughout June, the More Braille, More Empowerment Campaign invites relevant stakeholders to share stories demonstrating how braille literacy and assistive technology together are creating opportunities for learning, inclusion, participation, and empowerment.

#MoreBrailleMoreEmpowerment

#TechnologyForBrailleLiteracy