Fewer than one in ten blind Americans read Braille

A report to be released by the National Federation of the Blind finds that fewer than 10 percent of the 1.3 million Americans who are blind read Braille, and just 10 percent of children who are blind are learning it.

In the 1950’s, more than half of the children who were blind were learning Braille.
The reason for the change: increased reliance on audio texts, voice-recognition software, or other technology, as well as haphazard programs for teaching Braille.

The National Federation of the Blind says using technology as a substitute for Braille fosters illiteracy. The organization cites studies saying those who know Braille are more likely to earn advanced degrees, find good jobs, and live independently. Carlton Walker, an attorney, said she had to lobby teachers to teach her daughter Braille instead of using audio books. “If that were good enough for everybody, why do we spend millions of dollars teaching people to read?” she said.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-26-braille-literacy_N.htm?csp=34