2009 marked 200 years since the birth of
Louis Braille, the man who invented braille, the remarkable system of dots that has given freedom and power to so many blind and partially sighted people across the world.
Throughout 2009, organisations around the world celebrated the life and legacy of Louis Braille, aiming to raise awareness of braille.
Personal stories
"Braille allowed me to cherish the beautiful words of well-wishers on our wedding day."
Babs
"Because of braille, I can wish my Welsh friends a Bore da and Noswaith dda."
Babs
"Braille showed me how to 'Strip without undressing'"
Edna talking about the enjoyment of crossword puzzles.
"Braille helps me spend my £100 million on the best squad in Fantasy Football."
Bob
"Thanks to braille, I can knit booties for my beautiful grandchild." Dorothy
"I can't imagine life without my braille alarm clock. I suppose I'd sleep in a lot."
Edna
"Braille keeps me on top of every Test and one-day international from Bangalore to Birmingham."
John
"With braille my fingers have the freedom to explore the delicate rhythms of love sonnets."
Ruth
"Thanks to braille cookery books, I can rustle up a mouth-watering, Michelin starred lasagne in no time."
Diane
"Six hands, eight hands of braille sheet music, one stonking rendition of Chopsticks."
Jeanette
"Braille helped me make sense of mathematical modelling and linear algebra."
Tony