THIS week it is World Braille Day which acknowledges a system which has helped so many people who have sight loss problems. 

The day has been around since 2019 and occurs every year on January 4. 

Braille is described as 'a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols.'

It is celebrated on January 4 because it is the birthday of Louis Braille - the inventor of the system. 

Braille Works explains: "Louis was born in 1809 in France and became blind after a childhood accident. 

"But he quickly mastered his new way of living. When Louis was only 15 years old, he created a reading and writing system based on Charles Barbier’s night writing system. 

"We know Louis’ system today as braille. Adjusted over time, braille is now easier to read and used worldwide."

World Braille Day is said to be a reminder of the importance of accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Many establishments, such as restaurants, banks, and hospitals, don’t offer braille versions of their print materials like menus, statements, and bills. 

The day helps to support people who suffer from blindness and raise awareness by helping people to acknowledge the importance of braille and its benefits to so many people. 

These photos show how braille has been used by people in Cumbria.

We can see Bookwell School doing a non uniform day to raise money for a braille typewriter, a wine lodge owner with their new braille menu, an Egremont man using a braille machine, a braille machine which was once used by the council and one of their workers who used the machine. 

Other photos show a young boy being given a new braille machine at Bransty School and a new braille guide being introduced at The Beacon.