November, 13–15, 2025
The Braille Revolution!
Join us in celebrating
200 years of Braille!
WHEN
November, 13–15, 2025
ABOUT THE EVENT
To mark the bicentennial of braille writing,
apiDV, the Valentin Haüy Association, the Louis Braille Campus, the French Federation of the Blind
and Visually Impaired, and the Louis Braille National Institute for the Blind youth
are offering an exceptional program in Paris from November 13 to 15, 2025.
This event will highlight this revolutionary invention that transformed access to reading, education, and knowledge for blind and visually impaired people.
PROGRAM
Thursday, November 13
This day will be hosted by Dorothée Barba.
From 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
At the National Library of France François Mitterrand (BnF)
SYMPOSIUM "BRAILLE WRITING: A REVOLUTION STILL ON THE MOVE!"
A day of discussion and reflection on the legacy and future of braille.
9:30 a.m.
Opening by:
• Rachida Dati – French Minister of Culture;
• Anne-Elisabeth Buxtorf - Director of Public Affairs at the French National Library.
• Santosh Kumar Rungta - President of the World Blind Union
10:00 a.m.
Inaugural lecture: Gildas Brégain and Zina WEYGAND, historians.
10:45 a.m.
Speech by Olivier COLIGNON, neuroscience researcher.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Round table on education: Moderated by philosopher Michel Terestchenko
• Eric Obyn: Professor of Literary Braille at the Institute for the Study of Literature (INSEI);
• Sandrine Jolivalt: Teacher at the Nancy high school;
• Caroline Treffé: Trainer and educational manager at the French Institute for the Study of Literature (INSEI);
• Clémentine Kruck: Visually Impaired Academic
From 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Round Table or Key Witnesses "Employment": The Use of Braille in Professional Practice
• Hakim Kasmi: Journalist for France Culture;
• Etienne Rall: Pianist;
• Lucie Uwimana: First Braille Teacher in Rwanda;
• Emmanuel Giroux: Research Director at the CNRS and Professor at École Normale Supérieure (Normandie).
From 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Reading in Braille in the Digital Age: Moderated by Fernando Pinto Da Silva (French Federation of the Blind).
• Stéphanie Vieillefault: Director of Operations at HandiCaPZéro;
• Blandine Gallo: President of the CTEB;
• Céline Boeuf: Librarian at the Valentin Haüy Media Library;
• Eva Dolowski: Editorial Director at the INJA;
• Laurette Uzan: Business Project Manager at the BNF.
From 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closing: The Universality of Braille.
• Alexandre Munck: Director of the Dorina Nowill Brazil Foundation;
• Reiner Delgado: Social Advisor at the German Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBSV);
• Joel Hardy: Inscription of Braille as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
From 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
At the Louis Braille National Institute for Blind youth
COCKTAIL FOR THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRAILLE
A festive moment to celebrate this historic date together.
From 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
At the Louis Braille National Institute for Blind Youth
JAZZ CONCERT
Friday, November 14
From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
At the Louis Braille National Institute for Blind Youth
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH DAY
Découvrez le Campus Louis Braille, un an après son inauguration. On the agenda:
Morning – INJA (André Marchal Room)
• Presentation of the Campus' results and its three future projects
• Speech by partners and key stakeholders
• Presence of the European Blind Union and Santosh Kumar Rungta, President of the World Blind Union
• Preview screening of the France TV documentary on the Louis Braille Campus
Food truck on site at noon for a friendly break
Afternoon – Louis Braille Campus, Hélène Keller Garden & Sèvres Community Hall
• Startup & Innovation Forum: 20+ startups from the campus and the international network will offer hands-on demonstrations.
• Guided tour of the Campus starting at 2 p.m.: convention center, campus club, showroom, and startup studio
5 thematic workshops:
• AI for the visually impaired
• Digitization of the Valentin Haüy heritage collection
• Access to higher education
• Research on mobility and education
• Innovation & universal design
• International live concert with Yakir Arbib, blind pianist
Saturday, November 15
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In and around the Panthéon
VISIT OF THE PANTHEON AND CULTURAL STROLLING
In the footsteps of Louis Braille, an immersive walk through history.
Please note: registration is now closed.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The Braille Revolution!
Thursday 13, Friday 14 & Saturday 15 November 2025
Bibliothèque nationale de France – François Mitterrand site
Quai François Mauriac, 75013 Paris.
Access :
• Metro : Quai de la Gare (Line 6), Bibliothèque François Mitterrand (Line 14).
• RER train : Line C (stop : Bibliothèque François Mitterrand).
• Bus : 25, 62, 71, 89, 132, 325 (stop : Bibliothèque nationale de France – François Mitterrand or Bibliothèque nationale de France), 64 (stop : Bibliothèque – Chevaleret).
Institut National des Jeunes aveugles (INJA) / Louis Braille Campus
56 Boulevard des Invalides, 75007 Paris.
Access :
• Metro : Duroc (Lines 10 and 13).
• Bus : 70 (stop: Hôpital des Enfants Malades), 82, 89, 92 (stop: Duroc).
Panthéon
Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris.
Access :
• Metro : Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10).
• RER train : Line B (stop: Luxembourg).
• Bus : 21, 27 (stop : Saint-Jacques–Gay Lussac or Luxembourg), 38, 82 (stop: Luxembourg), 75, 84, 89 (stop : Panthéon).
ORGANIZERS
Founded in 1784 and operating under the supervision of the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health, INJA is a National Public Institution for the education and training of blind and visually impaired youth. It is at INJA that Louis Braille, once a student and later a teacher, developed the universally recognized reading and writing system that bears his name.
Established in 1949, apiDV supports blind and visually impaired individuals in their journey toward social autonomy. Recognized as a public-interest organization since 1959, it offers a range of services and initiatives to facilitate access to culture, education, employment, leisure, and technology.
Founded in 1889, this historic organization provides extensive support to visually impaired individuals throughout France. Its work spans advocacy, training, access to employment, independent living, and inclusive access to reading, cultural, and recreational activities.
Founded in 1917, the French Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (FAAF) brings together activists, service users, professionals, and volunteers committed to advancing the social and economic inclusion of blind and partially sighted people. Its mission is to ensure full and equal citizenship for all blind and visually impaired individuals in France and abroad.
The Louis Braille Campus is a European center of excellence dedicated to research, technological innovation, and training in the field of visual impairment. Founded by apiDV, Valentin Haüy, Voir Ensemble, and INJA Louis Braille, it is located in the heart of Paris & Duroc district. The campus brings together researchers, startups, students, and people with visual impairments to co-develop concrete solutions for greater autonomy.