Braille House

Why does the Braille Literacy Challenge matter?

A recent BBC podcast explored the future of braille, speaking with braille users, educators and experts from across the UK. While the discussion is centred on the UK, the messages about literacy, opportunity and independence are just as relevant here in Australia.

The experts interviewed agreed that braille remains vital for literacy and learning, and that children who are blind or have low vision should have access to braille from an early age.

That's why the Braille Literacy Challenge is so important. It celebrates and strengthens the braille literacy skills that help students thrive at school and beyond.

listen to the podcast:

https://www.braillehouse.org.au/about/news/the-future-of-braille-listen-to-the-people-who-use-it.html

Help shape the future of braille literacy worldwide.

Braille House is proud to support the Global Braille Survey, a key initiative of the Global Braille Literacy Campaign, More Braille: More Empowerment.

Backed by the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), the World Blind Union (WBU) and partners worldwide, the survey seeks input from braille users, families, educators and transcribers.

The findings will help build the evidence needed to strengthen advocacy, inform policy, improve resources and expand access to braille literacy around the world.

If you are eligible, we encourage you to participate. If you're not, please help by sharing this post with your networks. We want to hear from as many people, communities and countries as possible.

Take the survey: tiny.cc/braillesurvey

Questions or need assistance? Contact us or email [email protected].

Bonus Draw Now Open: WIN a $2,500 VISA Voucher!*

Imagine an extra $2,500 in your pocket. What would you do with it? A getaway, a wardrobe refresh, dining out with family and friends, or simply paying a few bills?

For a limited time, when you purchase a ticket in Play For Purpose Raffle 33, you'll automatically receive an entry into the August Bonus Draw for your chance to win a $2,500 VISA voucher*.

Plus, your ticket will also go into the draw for the incredible $350,000 First Prize Pack, including:
• A Lexus RX 450h+
• $175,000 in gold bullion
• More than $36,000 in shopping vouchers

That's more chances to win, while supporting Braille House. At least $5 from every ticket purchased through Braille House helps empower people of all ages who are blind or have low vision through alternative formats.

Bonus Draw entries close: 11:59pm AEST, Wednesday 19 August 2026
Bonus Draw winner announced: Friday 21 August 2026

Don't miss out. Get your tickets today: https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/braille-house

If the winner is a Victorian resident, the prize will be awarded as a $2,500 Woolworths voucher in accordance with state regulations.



Conductor is 50-50 Foundation ltd. T&c's & permits at playforpurpose.com.au

At Braille House, we're committed to keeping our library collection relevant by offering books, magazines, games and other accessible resources that reflect the interests of our community.

The August–September edition of Prevention Magazine Australia is now available in braille, and we're delighted to hear it's already being enjoyed by our borrowers.

One reader recently shared:

"I would highly recommend Prevention to other borrowers, as I found it extremely informative and useful."

Thank you to the team at Prevention Australia for partnering with us to make their magazine available in braille. Partnerships like this help ensure people who are blind or have low vision can access the same timely health and wellbeing information as everyone else.

If you'd like to explore our library collection, call our friendly library team on 07 3848 5257. We'd love to help you find books, magazines, games and other accessible resources that match your interests.

Just a quick heads up!

Our Brisbane office will be closed on Wednesday 12 August for the Brisbane local public holiday.

If you're looking for your next great read, don't forget you can browse our online catalogue anytime at https://q92003.eos-intl.net.au/Q92003/OPAC/Index.aspx and our library team will be back to process requests from 9am on Thursday 13 August.

If you need to get in touch while we're closed, please email [email protected] and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Thanks for your understanding, and to those celebrating the Brisbane public holiday, enjoy the day!

Inclusion is more than accessibility.

Braille House was proud to attend the launch of Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art 's Disability Inclusion and Action Plan 2026-2031 alongside other members of the inclusion community.

What continually impresses us about QAGOMA is that accessibility and inclusion are not treated as an add-on. They actively listen to people with lived experience of disability and ensure those voices help guide the future of the gallery. The result is a culture of genuine welcome, participation and belonging.

It was wonderful to celebrate alongside our friend of Braille House, Dr Melissa Fanshawe, who, together with Professor Georgina Barton-Smith, led the independent research that informed the plan. We were also delighted to catch up with Laura Walker and meet Director Chris Saines.

As an organisation that empowers people of all ages who are blind or have low vision through alternative formats, we know that meaningful inclusion happens when accessibility is built into planning and decision-making from the beginning.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this important work.

Read the plan: https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/about/disability-inclusion-action-plan/

The 105th Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition is proudly sponsored by Brisbane City Council.

In this milestone year, we are incredibly grateful to the Council for their sponsorship and their recognition of this significant community tradition.

Thanks to the Brisbane City Council, we can open up the competition to people of all ages, with a category reserved for primary school-aged and secondary school-aged students each.

We also offer a People’s Choice category that anyone can enter. Prizes for all categories are $350 for first place, and $150 for second.

Thank you to the Brisbane City Council for supporting our mission to empower people of all ages who are blind or have low vision through alternative formats.

To learn more about the competition, visit https://www.braillehouse.org.au/education/dickinson-memorial-literary-competition

Practice. Perseverance. A little friendly competition.

The first step towards the 2026 Braille Literacy Challenge is underway, with practice booklets making their way to participants this week.

While challenge day isn't until 11 September, the preparation starts now.

Over the coming weeks, participants will be refining their braille skills and getting ready to take part in one of Australia's biggest celebration of braille literacy.

We are proud to support every competitor as they prepare to test their skills, achieve personal goals and be part of this year's Challenge.

A special thank you to the for helping make the Braille Literacy Challenge possible in 2026.

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