The Promotion-Technology blog on the website for the National Federation of the Blind has an interesting article on how information technology has actually contributed to a resurgence of Braille as a method of communication. After decades of decline - in part because of the intense labor required to produced texts - Braille has become more available and popular in recent years.

The article provides some interesting data on the U.S. blind population and on recent technological and legislative changes that have contributed to Braille's recent growth as a medium of communication.

Check out the story at: http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/promotion-technology/2008-July/001101.html

The article raises some interesting questions for our blind readership. Do you think that relatively recent technologies like screen readers and voice commands (not to mention technologies like the KNFB reader) have caused a decline in the ability to read Braille? Is Braille still an important means of communication for you?