Braille literacy

The ability to read and write using the Braille tactile writing system of raised dots. Braille literacy rates among blind people have declined significantly — from over 50% in the 1960s to under 10% in some countries — due to factors including mainstreaming in education, reduced access to Braille instruction, and the rise of audio-based assistive technologies. This decline has profound accessibility implications because many educational and informational materials, tactile graphics, and public signage assume Braille literacy. Technologies that provide alternatives to Braille, such as QR codes or audio labels, are increasingly important for serving the majority of blind users who are not Braille-fluent.