Information Technology Article

Literacy: The Fundamental Information Technology
Breakthrough Technology in Braille Opens New World of Possibility
For Blind Information Access

It is rare today to use the words "information" and "technology" without discussing computers, databases, Internet, or electronics. Typically when we speak of equal access to information, we imply the issue of how to ensure that people from all walks of life are given the resources necessary to be a part of the global information network. In most cases, these may be the fundamentals of modern information technology. I want to take it a step backwards for a moment, to look at what I consider to be the foremost element - the most important determinant in the field: Literacy.

It is largely due to the emergence of electronic and computer technology that literacy among the blind has diminished so greatly. Since 1963, the percentage of legally blind children using Braille as their primary reading medium has dropped from 51% to 10%. This is not due to the lack of learning potential among blind children, but instead is due to the lack of resources and texts available to them. With the advent of audio technology, many children and adults have turned to audiotapes in place of books. With the advent of computers, written documents have become even harder to get one's hands on; and while a blind person can buy fancy equipment that has the Internet read aloud its contents, this, too, does not promote literacy. Although these are viable mediums for accessing information, it is also certain that listening is not literacy!

The National Literacy Act of 1991 defines "literacy" as "an individual's ability to read, write, and
speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society to achieve one's goals and develop one's knowledge and potential." This definition points up the critical importance of emphasizing high-quality literacy training programs for all Americans. For blind Americans, especially school-age youth, the need is no less critical. Yet surprisingly few students who are blind or visually impaired receive instruction in Braille as a part of their elementary and secondary education programs. It comes back again to the availability of resources. It comes back to information technology and what is missing from the current equation.

This lack of literacy is both at the cause and effect of an equally large problem: that of access to information. This lack of access spans the range from news and entertainment, to consumer purchases, to civil duties, and so on. One fundamental obstacle in providing equal access in information to the blind has been the lack of a technology that allows the written word - in Braille form - from being utilized in this variety of respects. Braille is produced by literally punching indentations into paper. It is highly vulnerable to wear and destruction because the indentations are fragile; once a Braille page is worn it is no longer of any use. The second aspect of technology that has limited the use of Braille is that it is so expensive to manufacture. It prints slowly and is exorbitant to do.

Until now, the manufacturing of Braille has been wrought with problems. A unique new technology, that was developed by the Miami-based company Labels For Literacy, delivers Braille by utilizing a special epoxy that is upon a page. It is durable, with no hole-punching - and it prints efficiently and at negligible cost. Additionally, the epoxy can be placed over text on a page, allowing both blind and sighted readers access to the document. This technology presents an absolute breakthrough in the realm of possibilities now available to the blind. Knowledge is power, and this program is the beginning of a whole new world of possibilities that will come through literacy and access to information.

The technology that is utilized in delivering Braille through Labels for Literacy does involve computers and fine-tuned machinery - each press costs near a million dollars to construct. Yet, the beauty of the technology is in the simple tool that it provides for the user. The technology stays in the shop, but the resources it creates extend directly into the homes and lives of the blind. This technology - bringing literacy as the most fundamental aspect of information access - does not require the user to master any equipment or pay for fancy electronics. It can be printed on any medium; in fact it is often printed on the same page as written text is. Now, for the first time, the mother of a blind child can teach the child to read without learning Braille, and can read along with the child keeping pace with where on the page the child is. It can be used in text books, magazines, on cereal boxes or cans of soup.

Working closely with consumer goods companies, Labels for Literacy has the mission to combat the devastatingly low literacy rate in children, and to make products more accessible to the blind. With the tagline, "Equal Opportunity In Advertising", Labels For Literacy intends to create more Braille and more accessibility to brand and product information by producing Braille labels for consumer goods that can be affixed to product. Sheets of labels are sent to the blind at no cost to them, and can be placed on groceries and goods either right there in the store upon purchase, or once they are back in the home. No more wondering what can is being opened; no more guesswork. This was not possible before this technology became available; traditional Braille printed material could never be used in such a versatile and pervasive manner.

The implications of this technology extend past the consumer realm. It will change the face of information access across the board: in education, in civil duties, in entertainment and literature, in news and sports. The  Labels for Literacy program, is doing all they can to promote this new technology and to fulfill the longtime goal of increasing public understanding, and of coarse to raise awareness about literacy. 

The social impact of the technology being brought forth through the Labels for Literacy program is not limited to the blind population. Issues of literacy, education, and equality in information access present themselves continually as fundamental social problems. The engaging and promising aspect of this particular program is that it extends itself to consumer goods corporations, advertising companies, and educational programs. It is only through the participation of these groups that Labels for Literacy will achieve the goal of accomplishing widespread awareness on the topic of information technology and its crucial role in today's society. Changes in policy, education, government and consumer affairs will certainly result as this program emerges. Labels for Literacy is an information technology that opens doors and makes possible what never was before; it is an information technology that keeps the science in the printing house and delivers only the essence and fundamentals to the user: literacy and access.

All consumer goods companies are welcomed and encouraged to become a part of this program. For more information about the technology, project, or details on Labels for Literacy, do not hesitate to contact them. (866) 325-2235.

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