National Braille Press Had Another Successful Gala to Support Braille Literacy

National Braille Press (NBP) announced today that it had another successful annual gala to support its mission to promote braille literacy for blind and visually impaired children. The event, held on October 28 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in Boston, featured internationally acclaimed accessibility leader Haben Girma, Harvard Law School’s first Deafblind graduate, as the featured speaker.

The gala also honored two legendary pioneers in the field of accessibility for the blind with the “Hands On” Award: Joe Sullivan, founder of Duxbury Systems of Westford, Mass., and Deane Blazie, founder of Maryland Computer Services and Blazie Engineering. Duxbury Systems is the company responsible for the premier computer platform that transcribes the printed word to braille. Sullivan’s work as chief architect of the original Duxbury Braille Translator software is the foundation for how NBP has been producing braille materials since the 1970s.

Blazie Engineering revolutionized accessibility technology with the creation of the Braille ‘n Speak and refreshable braille notetakers. Blazie has also been an eminent force in the development of NBP’s new refreshable braille computer, the B2G, launched earlier this year.

The gala, named “A Million Laughs for Literacy” also featured a performance by legendary stand-up comedian and Massachusetts native Jack Gallagher, known for his own ABC sitcom “Bringing Up Jack” as well as a recurring role on the HBO original series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

ABOUT NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS

National Braille Press, a non-profit braille publisher and producer of braille products, promotes literacy for blind children through outreach programs and provides access to information by producing information in braille for blind children and adults. www.nbp.org