International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 3 December 2025
Braille is a Human Right
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2025, the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) reaffirms that braille is a fundamental human right for people who are blind, central to literacy, independence, full participation in education and employment, and inclusion in community life.
Although braille has transformed opportunities for millions of people who are blind over the past two centuries, access to braille remains unequal across the world. Many children, youth, and adults — particularly in low- and middle-income countries — continue to face barriers in accessing braille instruction, braille materials, trained teachers, assistive technology, and local-language braille resources. These inequities restrict educational progress, limit employment pathways, and undermine the realisation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 24), Sustainable Development Goal 4, and the right to literacy for all.
Importantly, braille and digital technology must be seen as complementary rather than competing pathways for learning. For children and young people who are blind, braille literacy and access to digital tools work together to support academic success, independence, and preparation for the technology-rich world of school, higher education, and employment.
Introducing: More Braille, More Empowerment – The Global Braille Literacy Campaign
In response to persisting inequities in access to braille, ICEVI and the World Blind Union (WBU) have launched a coordinated, multi-year Global Braille Literacy Campaign, titled “More Braille, More Empowerment.”
The campaign aims to ensure that:
- Every person who is blind has the opportunity to learn and use braille
- Families, educators, and communities understand the irreplaceable value of braille for literacy and lifelong learning
- Governments, education systems, and service providers commit to sustained investment in braille services, teacher training, and accessible technology
- Braille resources and publications are available in multiple languages and formats, including digital braille.
The campaign is being implemented from 2026 to 2027 through global, regional, and national partnerships, with targeted work across three focus areas:
- Advocacy and Media
- Braille Information Resources
- Research and Data
A Call to Governments, Service Providers, and the Global Community
ICEVI urges governments, international agencies, and education systems to:
- Recognise braille as a non-negotiable component of inclusive education
- Ensure early assessment and early access to braille instruction for children who are blind
- Invest in specialist teacher training, braille technology, and digital accessibility
- Support national initiatives aligned with the “More Braille, More Empowerment” global campaign.
Ensuring braille access is not optional — it reflects the world’s commitment to human rights, educational equity, and the dignity of persons who are blind.
ICEVI Statement
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we call on the global community to stand with braille users of all ages. Braille is not a relic of the past — it is a pathway to literacy, identity, empowerment, and full inclusion. When we invest in braille, we invest in the future leadership, education, and employment of people who are blind.
Contact – ICEVI Secretariat
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://icevi.org
Braille Campaign Information: https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign