The Association between Braille Reading History and Well-being for Blind Adults

This manuscript reports on the findings of a survey that was conducted to measure the association between braille reading skills and subjective well-being for legally blind adults. A total of 443 participants completed the survey, which included demographics, braille reading history, well-being measures, and employment. Data suggest that individuals who were primary braille readers since childhood had greater life-satisfaction, self-esteem, and job satisfaction than individuals who reported not using braille as their primary reading medium during childhood. The data also suggest that individuals who became braille readers in adolescence or adulthood had higher life-satisfaction, self-esteem, and employment rates than those individuals who had never learned braille. Findings support the premise that braille literacy is key to life satisfaction and self-esteem in addition to academic and job success.