November 13 is celebrated as International Day of the Blind. The purpose of this Day is to remind of the blind and visually impaired people in our society, contributing to it on an equal level!
The date is linked to the birthday of the French educator and founder of the first school for the blind in Paris, Valentin Haüy. The intent behind celebrating International Day of the Blind is to raise awareness of the problems faced by the blind and visually impaired people. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate families, friends, caregivers, institutions, organizations and all those who aid them every day.
This day was officially celebrated in Poland for the first time in 1993. Although it has long been marked in the calendar, not everyone is aware of its significance. This is why we would like to draw the attention of every visitor to our University website to this particular date, encouraging openness and respect for the rights of every person in our academic community.
Did you know…?
The brain's remarkable plasticity
Often, though not always, the loss of one sense will sharpen another. People who have not been able to see since birth, or who have lost sight shortly after birth, have been found to have a completely different neural network of nerve cell connections in the brain than people with eyesight.
Echolocation
Some blind people have developed the ability to use echolocation to such an extent that they can even ride a bicycle in heavy traffic without any difficulties. Daniel Kish, an American who teaches other blind people to use echolocation, has mastered the skill to such an extent that he is mountain biking and climbing.
Guide dogs
For many blind people, a guide dog is their chance to function reasonably well. Such dogs are taught to help their handlers at every turn. Be it when, like Salty and Roselle in 2001, leading people out of the burning towers of the World Trade Center, or, like Bill Irwin's dog, guiding him along the 3,000-plus mile Appalachian Trail. Remember, service dogs should never be distracted when on duty!
Alcohol content
On drug packages, text in Braille is included, which makes perfect sense. In Japan, beer cans additionally include a warning about alcohol content in Braille – which should also make perfect sense in other countries.
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