Braille publications have been allowing blind people read for years. (Photo : www.chinanews.com)
On Monday, an exhibition in downtown Seattle celebrated braille publications in China, as well as exchanges between China and the United States that aim to better serve people with visual disabilities.
The exhibition was known as the Chinese and American Braille Publications Exchange Activity. It happened at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, and it was opened by Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman and China Braille Press President Zhang Wei.
China Braille Press serves 17 million people in China.
The Information Office of the State Council of China, which serves as the executive branch of the Chinese government, sponsored the event.
Guo Weimin, vice minister of the State Council's Information Office, was also present, joining China Braille Press staff at the opening ceremony.
"We have so many historic, cultural and business ties between our two great nations. Indeed, we gather here today to celebrate one of those ties," Wyman said to the guests of the exhibition.
Wyman later added that she believed that "members of the public will appreciate the exhibit."
In his remarks, Zhang said that braille publications provide "the basis for those with visual disabilities to obtain equal education opportunities, share the achievements of civilization and fully participate in social life."
Manager of Washington Talking Book & Braille Library Danielle Miller posted on the library's website, saying that "this exciting exhibit demonstrates both the importance of braille worldwide and the developing partnerships between China and the United States regarding services for people who are blind or visually impaired."
The exhibition covers various topics relevant to the blind and visually impaired, including braille publication in the digital age, interchange and mutual learning, famous blind people in China and the United States, and exchanges in braille publications of cultural materials.
