On January 4, we celebrate World Braille Day<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s estimated there are 453,000 people <\/strong>with blindness or low vision in Australia, according to Vision Australia.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Low vision is when people may need to be twice as close to see something. Blindness is when a person has little or no vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n World Braille Day has been celebrated since 2019. It’s observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realisation of human rights for blind and partially sighted people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We at Narara Valley Medical thought it was a good opportunity to talk about braille, as well as your eye health. But let’s start at the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Braille is an amazing system that helps people who are blind or visually impaired to read and write. Named after its creator, Louis Braille, it\u2019s like a secret code made up of raised dots that can be felt with the fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each braille character is made up of a combination of six dots arranged in two columns, with three dots in each column. These dots form different patterns that represent letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and even whole words. Just like the alphabet you\u2019re used to, braille has its own unique characters that represent sounds in words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning braille opens up a whole new world of reading and writing for those who can\u2019t see with their eyes. Books, signs, menus, and even computer screens can be translated into braille, allowing everyone equal access to information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Australia, braille is an essential tool in schools and workplaces to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn and communicate. Many people learn braille alongside regular reading and writing to help them navigate the world around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is often a connection between eye problems and low vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Often, this can be treated and support provided. Some common eye conditions include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Support and help is available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Age-related macular degeneration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The leading cause of vision loss in Australians over 40 is Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age-related macular degeneration can cause problems with close work like reading, writing, and watching TV. It can affect safe navigation and even seeing other people\u2019s faces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n AMD can also make it difficult to read things like menus and price tags. This can make going out for meals and going shopping challenging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are over 40, and feel signs of deteriorating eyesight, good on you for doing your best to keep your eyes healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While they can’t reverse any existing damage, these few simple tips can help keep your eyes healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vision Australia is a pioneer in supporting people with blindness and low vision. It also has excellent tools like the Document Accessibility Toolbar<\/a> which can be installed free of charge to help ensure your Word documents are accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not only the sighted people who can read and understand websites and books. Digital accessibility is a human right and a legal obligation. The good news is that accessible documents are better for search engines like Google. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Accessible design is inclusive of everyone. Whether they can read with their eyes or use a screen reader, inclusive design is good design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vision Australia <\/a>offers technology, products, services, and support as well as Digital Accessibility Consulting for businesses and government. There is a Gosford branch of Vision Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They offer complete training in braille.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"drawing](\"https:\/\/nararavalleymedical.com.au\/staging-sept\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yellow-World-Braille-Day.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is Braille?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"poster](\"https:\/\/nararavalleymedical.com.au\/staging-sept\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Alphabet-Braille-Poster-600-x-400-px.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat causes vision loss?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to keep your eyes healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Digital Accessibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More information<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n