WHEREAS, the 4th day of the month of January is observed worldwide as World Braille Day; and
WHEREAS, the observance was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2019 as a day to raise awareness for the importance of Braille as a mode of communication; and
WHEREAS, World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4th in honor of the birth of Louis Braille, the inventor of braille, who created the reading system in 1824, at the age of 15; and
WHEREAS, we are grateful for and support the work of the National Federation of the Blind of Utah and all that they do to empower and advocate for the blind across the state, including their Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program; and
WHEREAS, the ADA and Accessibility Advisory Committee regularly review issues that create opportunities for full inclusion of those who are blind or low vision, such as requiring signage in Braille that identifies rooms or spaces in public buildings; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City can and should be a place where people who are blind or low vision have access to literacy and vocational options, as well as the chance to enjoy the opportunities our community has to offer, as they forever reserve the right to not be held back or left behind.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City, proclaim January 4th, 2022 as:
Braille Day in Salt Lake City
To view an electronic copy of the signed proclamation, click here.