Editor’s note
Please note that all links in this article point to external resources and
websites. Some links may lead directly to downloadable files, such as PDF,
Word or other document formats.
We see this overview as a living resource. If you would like to suggest another
important position paper, policy statement or advocacy document for inclusion,
please share your suggestion in the comments below.
Braille is more than a reading and writing system. It is a foundation for literacy,
education, independence, employment, cultural participation and equal access to
information. Around the world, organisations of blind people, educational bodies,
libraries, publishers and international institutions have issued important policy
statements, position papers, guidelines and treaties that support the continued use,
teaching and development of braille and accessible formats.
This overview brings together selected authoritative documents that may be useful
for advocacy, policy development, education, research and awareness-raising. It is
not intended to be a complete bibliography, but rather a practical starting point
for anyone looking for strong arguments and reliable references.
Braille literacy and the right to braille
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World Blind Union: External Position Statement on Braille Literacy
The World Blind Union position statement is one of the key global documents
on braille literacy. It presents braille as a means of competency, independence
and equality for blind people and connects braille literacy with education,
communication, employment and social participation.Read the WBU External Position Statement on Braille Literacy
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WBU and ICEVI: Braille Literacy Position Statement
This joint position statement by the World Blind Union and the International
Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment affirms braille as an
essential tool for education, communication and social inclusion. It is a useful
reference for advocacy concerning children, adults, education systems and
teacher training. -
European Blind Union: Access to Reading and Using Braille – a matter of the future
The European Blind Union position paper focuses on the future of braille in
Europe. It highlights the importance of braille literacy, the role of technology,
the need for legislation and the responsibility of national organisations and
public authorities to support braille in education and everyday life.Read the EBU position paper on access to reading and using braille
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SPEVI: Braille Literacy Position Statement 2024
The South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment position statement addresses
braille literacy in Australia. It explicitly recognises the right to quality
instruction in braille literacy and numeracy for children with blindness and
low vision. It is a valuable regional example of how braille can be framed
within education policy and professional practice. -
ICEVI Latinoamérica and FOAL: La vigencia del sistema braille en el siglo XXI
This Spanish-language publication from ICEVI Latinoamérica and FOAL is not a
formal policy statement in the strict sense, but it is an important regional
advocacy and expert resource. It explores the relevance of braille in the
twenty-first century and supports the view that technology and braille should
complement each other rather than compete. -
National Federation of the Blind: The Braille Literacy Crisis in America
The National Federation of the Blind has long advocated for braille literacy
in the United States. This resource is particularly useful as an advocacy text
showing how reduced access to braille instruction can affect literacy,
education and employment outcomes. -
National Federation of the Blind: State Braille Literacy Bills
This NFB resource provides examples of adopted braille literacy bills within the legislation in the
United States. It is useful for advocates and policymakers interested in how
the right to braille can be translated into legal obligations and educational
procedures.
Inclusive education and learning
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ICEVI and WBU: Joint Position Paper on Education
This joint position paper sets out a shared vision for inclusive, equitable
and quality education for children and young people with visual impairment.
While it is broader than braille alone, it provides an important policy
framework for discussing braille as part of accessible education, teacher
preparation, learning materials and support services. -
ICEVI and WBU: Joint Position Statements and Papers
ICEVI provides a collection of joint ICEVI and WBU position statements and
papers. The collection includes documents on braille literacy, education,
digital classrooms, early childhood development and education in emergencies.
It is a useful entry point for anyone looking for policy documents related to
learners with visual impairment. -
American Foundation for the Blind: National Agenda for Education
The National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual
Impairments, Including Those with Multiple Disabilities, is a broad educational
framework from the United States. It can be useful when discussing the
specialised skills, services and professional knowledge needed by learners
with visual impairment, including braille-related learning.
Accessible publishing, books and the Marrakesh Treaty
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WIPO: Marrakesh Treaty
The Marrakesh Treaty is one of the most important international legal
instruments for access to books and published works. It facilitates the
production and cross-border exchange of accessible format copies for people
who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled. -
Accessible Books Consortium: Charter for Accessible Publishing
The ABC Charter for Accessible Publishing encourages publishers to produce
digital publications in accessible formats, including braille, audio and large
print. It is a practical policy tool for promoting born-accessible publishing
and cooperation between publishers and organisations serving people with print
disabilities. -
ABC: Accessible Publishing Best Practice Guidelines for Publishers
These guidelines provide practical recommendations for publishers who want to
make their books accessible from the start. They address accessible structure,
navigation, alternative text, metadata and compatibility with assistive
technologies, including braille displays. -
IFLA: Marrakesh Treaty resources for libraries
IFLA provides resources explaining the Marrakesh Treaty from the perspective
of libraries. These materials are useful for authorised entities, libraries
for the blind and mainstream libraries that want to understand their role in
providing accessible books. -
IFLA: Getting Started with the Marrakesh Treaty – a Guide for Librarians
This guide offers practical information for libraries that want to use the
possibilities created by the Marrakesh Treaty. It is a useful complement to
legal and policy documents because it focuses on implementation. -
DBSV: Position paper on copyright law and the Marrakesh Treaty
This German-language position paper by DBSV focuses on the implementation of
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in German
copyright law and on the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty. It is not a
braille literacy document, but it is highly relevant to access to literature,
accessible formats and the legal conditions for producing and exchanging
books for blind and visually impaired readers.Read the DBSV position paper on copyright law and the Marrakesh Treaty
Braille standards and technical authority
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International Council on English Braille: The Rules of Unified English Braille
The Rules of Unified English Braille are not an advocacy statement, but they
are an important example of braille standardisation. They show that braille
is a living, structured and professionally maintained writing system that
requires clear rules, expert bodies and regular updates.Read The Rules of Unified English Braille
Unified English Braille is listed here only as one example of braille standardisation.
Many countries and language communities have their own braille codes, rules and
braille authorities. This shows that braille is a living writing system adapted to
different languages and national contexts. -
International Council on English Braille: Unified English Braille publications
ICEB provides access to UEB publications and related documents. This is a
useful resource for teachers, transcribers, braille authorities and anyone
interested in the standardisation of English braille.
Current campaigns and advocacy initiatives
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WBU and ICEVI: Global Braille Literacy Campaign
The Global Braille Literacy Campaign promotes braille as a key tool for
empowerment, education and inclusion. It is a current advocacy framework for
organisations that want to raise awareness, influence policy and strengthen
braille instruction around the world. -
ICEVI: Global Braille Literacy Campaign
ICEVI’s page on the Global Braille Literacy Campaign provides additional
information about the campaign, including planned activities, surveys and
cooperation with partners. It is a useful source for following current
international efforts to promote braille literacy.Read ICEVI’s information on the Global Braille Literacy Campaign
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European Blind Union and livingbraille.eu: Braille 200
The Braille 200 initiative marked the bicentenary of the invention of braille
in 2025. Throughout the year, livingbraille.eu published daily contributions
about braille, collecting personal stories, professional reflections, examples
of braille in everyday life, cultural contributions and advocacy messages from
across Europe and beyond. The archive remains a valuable resource showing how
braille is used, taught, celebrated and developed in many different contexts.
Why these documents matter
Taken together, these documents show that braille remains a vital part of
literacy, education, access to information and cultural participation. They also
show that braille policy cannot be separated from accessible publishing,
copyright law, teacher training, standardisation, technology and the lived
experience of blind and deafblind people.
For advocates, educators, policymakers and organisations of blind people, these
resources provide a strong basis for arguing that braille must not be treated as
an outdated or optional tool. It must be recognised, taught, supported, funded and
developed as a living writing system and as a practical condition for equality.