We have been a leader in advocating for Braille use and instruction in the United States to promote accessibility and inclusion for blind people.

That the Blind May Read (1994)

Towards the close of the twentieth century, it became apparent that there was a Braille literacy crisis, especially for children. In 1994, the National Federation of the Blind released the thirty-minute video “That the Blind May Read” in hopes to bring awareness to the situation. The video is narrated by Kenneth Jernigan and features personal testimonials from NFB members, a few of which are featured here. Read That the Blind May Read (1994) Transcript.

“This Is Twin Vision” Pamphlets (circa 2000)

Four rectangular, brown paper panels lay side by side. Each one has a lighter-colored card centered at the top, with an embossed image of a bird and Braille. Below that is print text reading: “This is a raised illustration from ‘The Shape of Things – Birds.’ The Braille below the illustration repeats exactly what you have just read in print. This is twin vision. American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. Formerly American Brotherhood for the Blind, A Charitable and Educational Foundation Founded in 1919.” The panel on the left has an image of a small bird. The second panel has an image of bird claws. The third panel has an image of a penguin. The fourth panel has an image of a penguin’s beak and webbed feet.

Four pamphlets embossed with a bird and Braille that says, “This is a raised illustration from ‘The Shape of Things – Birds

In 1958, the American Brotherhood for the Blind (later renamed American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults) created Twin Vision® books, which used a simple technique that combined identical text in print and Braille, allowing the books to be read by blind and sighted people together, often with raised illustrations.

Thus, blind children were able to share their activities with all those around them. These pamphlets, each featuring a different tactile illustration from The Shape of Things -- Birds, advertised the popular Twin Vision books.

tenBroek Trivia

The Jacobus tenBroek Library holds Braille books from the personal library of Helen Keller. Which of the following titles is not part of that collection?

  1. Virgil’s Aeneid
  2. The Poems of Sidney Lanier
  3. Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare;
  4. Prometheus Unbound by Percy Shelley

Archive Navigation

Next Exhibit: Braille Today