Disability does not mean inability

WORLD BRAILLLE DAY
Braille (/ˈbreɪl/ BRAYL; Braille: ⠃⠗⠇; French: [bʁaj]) is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired, including people who are blind, deafblind or who have low vision. It can be read either on embossed paper or by using refreshable braille displays that connect to computers and smartphone devices. Braille can be written using a slate and stylus, a braille writer, an electronic braille notetaker or with the use of a computer connected to a braille embosser.
Braille is named after its creator, Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight as a result of a childhood accident. In 1824, at the age of fifteen, he developed the braille code based on the French alphabet as an improvement on night writing. He published his system, which subsequently included musical notation, in 1829.[1] The second revision, published in 1837, was the first binary form of writing developed in the modern era.

Braille characters are formed using a combination of six raised dots arranged in a 3 x 2 matrix, called the braille cell. The number and arrangement of these dots distinguishes one character from another. Since the various braille alphabets originated as transcription codes for printed writing, the mappings (sets of character designations) vary from language to language, and even within one; in English Braille there are 3 levels of braille: Uncontracted braille - a letter-by-letter transcription used for basic literacy; contracted braille – an addition of abbreviations and contractions used as a space saving mechanism; and Grade 3 – various non-standardized personal stenography that is less commonly used.

In addition to braille text (letters, punctuation, contractions), it is also possible to create embossed illustrations and graphs, with the lines either solid or made of series of dots, arrows, bullets that are larger than braille dots, etc. A full braille cell includes six raised dots arranged in two columns, each column having three dots.[

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021

3 December 2021

Global

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), and on this Day WHO joins other partners around the world to celebrate a day for all.

More than 1 billion people experience disability, and this figure is predicted to rise, due in part to population ageing and an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. Despite this, few countries have adequate mechanisms in place to respond fully to the health priorities and requirements of persons with disabilities.

While disability correlates with disadvantage, not all people with disabilities are equally disadvantaged. Much depends on the context in which they live, and whether they have equal access to health, education and employment, among others.

As governments and the international community continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, and chart a course forward, it is essential that disability inclusion is central to health system planning, development, and decision making. Strong, effective health systems support robust health emergencies management.

WHO is committed to supporting Member States and development partners to fulfil their commitment to leave no one behind, by addressing disability inclusion in the health sector, including as part of our efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key messages

Many of us will experience disability in our lifetime, particularly as we grow older

WHO commits to supporting countries to realize a world where health systems are inclusive and persons with disabilities can attain their highest possible standard of health.

COVID-19 has resulted in further disadvantage and increased vulnerability for many persons with disabilities due to barriers in the health and social sectors, including discriminatory attitudes and inaccessible infrastructure.

Building back better requires persons with disabilities to be central to health sector decision making, to ensure barrier

Let's say no to discrimination