American Age of Reform Ysmael Peguero/ Hector Lugo American Studies

 People, for a long time, believed that the blind could not find a way to read.  Blind people were also unable to vote, which is an important right for Americans  Fortunately, a light would soon shine in the 1820’s.

 Born January 4, 1809 in Coupvray, France  Became blind at age 3 - Accidentally infected both eyes with an awl (sharp tool for making holes)  Expanded on Charles Barbier’s work on sonography  Charles had invented a 12 raised dot language to interchange secret information between soldiers.

 Braille was elected to become a professor at the National Institute of Blind Youth in 1826  Today’s Braille system was finally completed in 1834  Braille made it possible for blind people to vote. Biography…

 Louis attended school with sighted children for approximately two years  Attended the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles (National Institute of Blind Youth) in 1819  Learned to play the piano and organ

 Braille soon experimented with forms of the modern-day braille  Through usage of the braille system, blind individuals learned write by punching dots into paper with a pointed instrument that was lined up with a metal guide.  Published the first braille book in 1829

 Louis was forced to resign from his teaching position in 1835 after falling ill from TB.  A musician student of Louis accredited Louis in a concert, thus creating world-wide interest.  Although previously completed, the system was accepted in 1854 (2 years after Braille’s death)  The system was later introduced at the Missouri School for the Blind in 1860

 As reported in 2009: 90 % of children who are not taught to read are blind  There are not many Braille educators in America.  70% of the unemployment rate among the blind has been directly linked to inadequate Braille education  In 2009 the United States introduced the Bicentennial Silver dollar to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille. -One side of the coin features a portrait of Louis Braille. The opposite side shows a child reading a book in Braille with the word “Braille” (abbreviated BRL in Braille code) above him. -The word "Independence" is featured on a bookshelf behind the child. (Visit to purchase a coin)

The portrait by Vasily Perov portrays a blind man playing a musical instrument. This portrait is appropriate for the study of Louis Braille because Louis Braille was a remarkable man who overcame his disability and made a difference for millions of people. Louis Braille was also a musician as the gentleman in the picture, which reveals the intelligence and perseverance that Louis possessed.

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