As we start 2026, I want to pause and reflect on how truly remarkable 2025 was for the Braillists Foundation and our wider community.
We started 2025 by holding our first ever face-to-face World Braille Day conference at New College Worcester. It was incredible to meet so many braille users, supporters, volunteers and partners in person — sharing insights, discovering braille technology, and reaffirming our collective commitment to our mission of More Braille.
Throughout 2025 we continued to bring braille stakeholders together with our range of online events and masterclasses, which offered both practical braille learning and community connection. Nearly every week we’ve witnessed folks from different parts of the world joining, sharing, learning and growing together — testament to the strength of this community.
The issue of personal transcription services was an ongoing focus during 2025. Thanks to the incredible campaigning of Connor Scott-Gardner, and following extensive consultation over the summer, RNIB has committed to the re-introduction of free, in-house transcription of braille music for personal use, and has also committed to underwriting the costs of all other personal transcription requests in full, subject to fair usage. Congratulations Connor on a hugely successful campaign, and thank you RNIB for responding to the needs of the braille reading community.
2025 marked the culmination of celebrations honouring 200 years since Louis Braille developed the six-dot system that makes touch reading viable. Organisations across the UK and globally marked this milestone. We at the Braillists Foundation played our part by highlighting braille’s transformational power and advocating for its continued relevance in education, employment, and everyday life.
Looking forward to World Braille Day 2026, we are excited about the joint ICEVI–WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign “More Braille: More Empowerment”, which will launch officially on World Braille Day with a global online event and the first global braille survey. This ambitious multi-year effort aims to expand access to braille, boost advocacy and media, strengthen resources, and build the evidence base for inclusive education worldwide.
This is a vital moment for all of us who believe in braille literacy as a human right — and the Braillists will be at the heart of supporting this movement.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated Trustees, the generosity and expertise of our volunteers, the hard-working contractors who help keep our work running, and every member of this community who contributes their time, insight, encouragement, and enthusiasm.
A very special thanks to Megan Hastings, who stepped down from our Board of Trustees at Christmas following over four years’ service as our Secretary. Your contribution has made a lasting difference.
At the same time, earlier this year we were delighted to welcome Ami Turnbull as our new Treasurer — we look forward to her leadership and vision in the years to come.
To every braille reader, supporter, partner and friend of the Braillists Foundation: thank you. Thank you for your engagement this year, for sharing your experiences, for advocating loudly and kindly for accessible information and education, and for helping us bring More Braille to more people.
I wish you all a prosperous, empowering 2026 — full of learning, connection and opportunity.
With warmest regards,
Dave Williams
Chair, The Braillists Foundation