Today I'm very excited to feature a lovely lady called Siobhan, who shares fantastic content all around her life as a blind person, and she leads a very full life let me tell you! I've been following Siobhan for a while and I love her energy, her positive attitude but also her willingness to call out people and organisations when they're not being accessible or inclusive (or in some cases, actually breaking the law with access refusals!)
So let's hand over to Siobhan and hear why she loves braille.
Hi there! I’m Siobhan, and I’m thrilled to be talking about something that’s truly close to my heart (and fingertips) for National Braille Week! Let’s dive into the world of braille—those incredible little dots that opened up so many new possibilities for me. It’s a language that lets me “feel” the words in the most beautiful way. My journey with braille began when I was about 10 years old.
Back then, I was a curious little soul, always asking my friends at school about this fascinating code they seemed to know so well. I remember wanting to be just like them, passing notes that weren’t just hidden secrets but were also filled with care. I dreamed of writing special birthday cards, Christmas messages, and maybe even sneaking in a few cheeky jokes—all in braille. Little did I know that these six tiny dots would become such an important part of my life, not just for fun but as a key to my education and, later on, my career.
I was born totally blind, but the doctors managed to save some vision in my right eye, giving me a little window into the world. It wasn’t much—a fragmented view—but to me, it was everything. I held onto that vision throughout my childhood until, at 16, I finally lost the remaining sight. Before braille came into my life, I got by using super-sized print. And when I say big, I mean letters large enough to practically see from space! But as my vision started to fade, I knew I needed something more. When I attended a school for blind children, I had my first real introduction to braille, and wow, it was like a whole new world opened up to me! I couldn’t believe how those little raised dots could say so much, how they could guide me to words that were otherwise slipping away.
Making the switch from large print to braille wasn’t always a breeze. I struggled with my handwriting, and my eyes grew weaker with each passing day. But once I embraced braille, it was like finding a best friend who just knows what you need—always there when you’re lost in the dark (pun intended!).
Note from Hayley - this is the Perkins Brailler I started Dotty About Braille with, unfortunately with it being very old I had to trade it in for a new one but it's back with my mum now.
Braille became my way of holding onto words, my way of keeping my ideas alive even when my sight could no longer serve me. Today, braille is such a big part of my everyday life. Whether I’m using my classic manual Perkins Brailler (think of it as the typewriter of the braille world) or modern tech that syncs with my laptop, braille is my go-to tool.
It’s how I write my reports, read presentations, follow meeting minutes, and create case studies. Braille lets me do my job on equal footing with everyone else, making sure nothing slows me down. In my personal life, braille is just as important. I use it to jot down shopping lists (because no one wants to mistake shampoo for soup!), label my skincare products, and organise my medication. It keeps me connected to my surroundings, helping me navigate life with a bit more ease. One of my favourite things about braille? Writing those little notes to my friends, creating birthday and Christmas cards that bring a smile to their faces. Knowing that when they touch those dots, they’re feeling a piece of my heart—that’s something truly special.
Braille lets me reach out and stay in touch with the world in the most literal sense, one dot at a time. Even though we’re surrounded by incredible technology today, with voice commands and screen readers taking centre stage, I’ll always be a champion for braille. There’s just something irreplaceable about the feel of those dots beneath my fingers, translating my thoughts into something real and tangible.
That’s why I believe every child should learn this incredible code—it’s not just a skill; it’s a hidden superpower that’ll always come in handy, whether you’re reading a book or figuring out which spice is which in the kitchen. So, here’s to braille—a language that lets me read with my hands and write with my heart. It’s more than just a tool; it’s a connection to the world, a bridge that lets me cross over into new adventures, one dot at a time. Happy National Braille Week, everyone! Let’s keep those dots dancing!
Aww wasn't that lovely! Thanks so much for sharing your story Siobhan!
If you want to follow Siobhan on social media, and I highly recommend you do, here are the links:
YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Twitter
If you want to share why you love braille, get in touch!