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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Thank you Z\u2019Leah. I was thinking about Louis Braille and Braille day this morning. I told some children at church a brief version of the Louis Braille story. Many people make a big deal over the technology we use now, but the Braille display would not have been possible were it not for Louis Braille. And I still sometimes use low tech, the slate and stylus and read hard copy Braille. Happy World Braille Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Z'Leah Liburd via NFBF-L<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 4, 2026 2:15 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org>; NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l@nfbnet.org>; Florida Association of Blind Students <fabs@nfbnet.org>; NFBF-Statewide@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Z'Leah Liburd <nyirah17@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBF-L] Happy world braille day<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Happy World Braille Day! <br><br>World Braille Day is celebrated each year on January 4 in honor of Louis Braille, who, as a teenager in 19th-century France, helped transform access to reading and writing for people who are blind or have low vision. Motivated by the need for a clear, efficient, and expressive system of written communication, Braille adapted earlier tactile ideas into what became a universal code that could be used across languages, subjects, and settings.<br><br>Since its creation, Braille has played a vital role in expanding access to literacy, education, employment, and independent living. It has opened doors to knowledge, creativity, and opportunity, reinforcing the fundamental human right to accessible information. Over time, Braille has grown to include multiple languages, contractions, advanced mathematical and scientific notation, music Braille, and modern electronic formats.<br><br>World Braille Day is also a time to recognize the organizations and advocates who continue to champion Braille literacy. Our very own National Federation of the Blind (NFB) plays a significant role in this work through initiatives such as the free slate and stylus program , which helps ensure that individuals have access to the foundational tools needed to read and write Braille. These programs reinforce the importance of hands-on Braille literacy and keep traditional skills alive alongside advancing technology.<br><br>Whether you are an experienced Braille reader or someone just beginning to explore it, today is an opportunity to engage with Braille in new ways\u2014learning a new code, labeling everyday spaces, practicing tactile reading, or simply taking notice of the Braille around you that supports inclusive access.<br><br>Today, we celebrate Braille not only as a code, but as a symbol of accessibility, equity, and empowerment. Happy World Braille Day\u2014and happy reading!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:#33475B'>Z\u2019Leah Liburd (She/her)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:#33475B'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:#33475B'>President, Florida Association of Blind Students</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:#33475B'>President, State Wide Chapter </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:Nyirah17@gmail.com" target="_blank">Nyirah17@gmail.co</a>m</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:Student@nfbflorida.org" target="_blank">Student@nfbflorida.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:NFBF.Statewide@gmail.com" target="_blank">NFBF.Statewide@gmail.com</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:#33475B'>"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." -<em><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;font-style:normal'>Helen Keller.</span></em></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:#002451'>Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:#222222'>Facebook link: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Florida-Association-of-Blind-Students-FABS-100610252389102" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/Florida-Association-of-Blind-Students-FABS-100610252389102</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:#222222'>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabs_nfb/" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>https://www.instagram.com/fabs_nfb</span></a>/<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>