Department of Education Celebrates Braille Literacy Month at Woodville Elementary School

In honor of National Braille Literacy Month, DBS Director Robert Doyle read to 40 third grade students at Woodville Elementary School in Tallahassee. Following the reading, staff from the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) Division of Blind Services (DBS) led the students in interactive activities that provided them with an understanding of how individuals with varying visual impairments live, work and play. The students were later presented with copies of their names written in braille and the braille alphabet.
“Literacy is the foundation for learning and the gateway to a valuable education, profitable career and a better quality of life,” DBS Director Robert L. Doyle III said. “With these building blocks, individuals with visual disabilities gain access to a plethora of opportunities that lead to independence. Florida remains at the forefront in its efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion for individuals in the blind and visually impaired community.”
Through DBS, blind and visually impaired Floridians have access to many educational, vocational, medical, social and recreational services beginning at birth. Through the efforts of FDOE’s Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, students with visual disabilities work with ‪‎teachers to learn important skills such as reading ‪braille and how to navigate the classroom using a cane or a guide dog.
DBS is dedicated to ensuring that Floridians who are blind or visually impaired have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve success. Last year, DBS helped 854 individuals achieve successful employment and another 10,614 received assistance to become more successful in school, community and work. Through DBS’ Braille and Talking Book Library, the agency served more than 31,000 active readers with disabilities, with more than 2.4 million items (audio books, braille, large print) available for patrons.
For more information about the Division of Blind Services and their programs, visit dbs.fldoe.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.