The Importance of Braille During a Pandemic and Beyond

ABSTRACT

In March, 2020, the same month that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people throughout the United States and across the globe were required to rapidly make major decisions that impacted every aspect of their lives, including, but not limited to, social interactions, healthcare, transportation, childcare, education, and employment. In order to make the most informed decisions, it was critical during this period that all individuals be provided equal access to emergency-related information. Availability of essential health-related information can be even more critical for individuals who are blind, and who are often already disadvantaged due to a lack of available access in both the physical and digital environment. This paper will explore the value and importance that braille serves in the lives of individuals who are blind and are proficient braille users. A qualitative study related to braille access for individuals who are blind was conducted by Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech in September of 2020, with a specific focus on access to COVID-19 materials. The findings of this qualitative study will be examined, with a specific focus on how braille continues to serve as an essential format when accessing critical content.