Glasgow man praises braille’s impact as it marks 200 years

Jim McCafferty, who was registered blind at age three, learned braille at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh.

He has since built a career in braille production and proofreading, working for more than 40 years.

He said: "Braille has had a massive and very positive impact on my life, and to be perfectly honest, I really do not know how I could do without it.

"It has allowed me to enjoy an independent and varied life, both personally and professionally."

He uses braille to keep his records up to date, whether it be bank details, utility information, or passport numbers.

He said: "I still read a lot, but if I want to ensure that information is kept confidential, I write it in braille."

Jim also highlights the urgent need for more braille teachers to ensure this essential skill continues to benefit future generations.

He said: "There just aren’t enough braille teachers.

"If more people could spread the word and teach this marvellous means of communication, more vision-impaired people—and even their sighted peers—would be encouraged to learn it."

He also speaks of the evolving role of braille in the modern digital world.

He said: "In recent years, devices containing a braille keyboard and display have been developed, which has helped to promote the reading and writing system.

"What I find gratifying is the introduction of reasonably priced note-takers, such as the Orbit and Braille Me, making braille more accessible to people around the world."

RNIB Scotland, a sight loss charity, is celebrating 200 years of braille.

The anniversary provides an opportunity for sight loss organisations to come together and promote its importance.

Jim said: "It is my firm belief that all organisations of or for vision impaired people should work together more closely.

"If this is done with braille, an excellent method of communication will have a great future—hopefully for the next 200 years."