Jonathan Mosen on the Legacy and Future of Braille

Celebrate the legacy of Louis Braille and explore the past, present, and future of Braille with Jonathan Mosen, Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence at the National Federation of the Blind. Learn how Braille technology evolved from the VersaBraille to multi-line displays like the Monarch, and why literacy through Braille is still life-changing today. In this engaging conversation, Chris welcomes Braille advocate and technology leader Jonathan Mosen to reflect on the impact of Louis Braille’s invention and the ongoing journey of Braille literacy. Jonathan shares stories from his lifelong relationship with Braille, from reading under the covers as a child to using early devices like the VersaBraille in the 1980s. Listeners will hear about the challenges and breakthroughs in Braille technology, including the rise of refreshable Braille, the promise of multi-line displays, and the transformative potential of tactile graphics for education and STEM learning. Jonathan also recounts his emotional visit to Louis Braille’s birthplace, reflecting on the profound legacy of a system that continues to empower blind people around the globe. Together, Chris and Jonathan discuss practical ways to encourage more people to learn Braille, the myths surrounding technology replacing literacy, and the exciting future of devices like the Dot Pad and Monarch. [Relevant Links] National Federation of the Blind: https://www.nfb.org NFB Centre of Excellence in Non-visual Accessibility (CENA): https://nfb.org/cena Access On Podcast: https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/technology/access-on [Keyword List] Louis Braille legacy, Braille technology, Jonathan Mosen interview, refreshable Braille displays, Monarch Braille display, Dot Pad tactile graphics, VersaBraille history, Braille literacy advocacy, National Federation of the Blind, accessible technology podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices