Braille is increasingly being recognised not only as a practical system of reading and writing
for blind and partially sighted people, but also as a living cultural practice. Its learning,
use and transmission connect generations of blind readers, teachers, families, libraries,
organisations and communities. For this reason, several European countries and regions have
already included Braille in their national or regional inventories of intangible cultural heritage.
These recognitions underline that Braille is more than a technical code. It is a gateway to
literacy, education, culture, independent communication and equal participation in society.
The following overview lists countries and regions where Braille has already been officially
recognised as intangible cultural heritage. All the links in the table lead to external webpages with announcements or records of this recognition.
| Country / region | Name of the recognised element | Year / date of recognition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Use and transmission of Braille in Germany | 2020 |
German Commission for UNESCO |
| France | Learning and use of Braille | 2023 |
French Ministry of Culture |
| Portugal | Learning and Usage of Braille | July 2025 | Património Cultural, I.P. |
| Belgium – Flanders | Learning and use of Braille | 9 July 2025 |
Intangible Cultural Heritage Flanders. French: in the French speaking region, since 28 april 2025 |
| Slovenia | Slovene Braille | 27 August 2025 |
Ministry of Culture of Slovenia |
| Austria | Use and transmission of Braille | 2026 |
Austrian Commission for UNESCO |
| Finland | Use and teaching of Braille | 26 June 2026 | Finnish Heritage Agency |
| Spain | the use of the Braille reading and writing system for the Spanish languages | 14 July 2026 | The Council of Ministers of Spain (Spanish language) |
These national and regional recognitions are also important in the wider international context.
Germany and France have jointly nominated Braille for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative
List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision on this international
nomination is expected in 2027.
If you know of another country or region where Braille has been officially recognised as intangible cultural heritage and it is not listed in the table above, please let us know at our e-mail address. When contacting us, please include the name of the recognised element, the date of recognition, the source confirming the recognition, and the institution or authority that issued the decision, in line with the information provided in the table. Thank you.