The braille code, created by Braille (1809-1852), represents access to information and education, currency of future for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Being able to manage and manipulate information is vital not only to economic success but also to a person's dignity and perceived self-worth as an educated individual. It is therefore important, regardless of whatever educational program is involved, that we ensure that individuals have choice learning and access to information now and future. In 2009, Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) will celebrate Braille's 200th birthday throughout year by publishing essays and excerpts relating to Braille and code he created. I have been honored by being invited to be series editor of JVIB Braille Bicentennial Celebration. Essay topics will include teaching braille public schools; issues of print versus braille and uncontracted versus contracted braille; braille competencies; consumers' and teachers' points of view on importance of braille; braille translation technology and its impact on literacy; and state of art concerning Unified English Braille Code. The October 2009 issue will be a Special Issue on Literacy, and that month's Braille Celebration column will include a brief summary of information on Braille that is not widely known. The last celebration of Braille and his life conducted by American Foundation for Blind (AFB) can be found March 1952 issue of one of JVIB's earlier incarnations, New Outlook for Blind. Instead of celebrating birthday of Braille, as we will do this year, that issue marked 100th anniversary of his death 1852 and included first authoritative biography of Braille English language. Entitled The Reading Fingers: Life of Braille, 1809-1852, it was a slightly abridged version of French biography written by Jean Roblin and was translated by Ruth G. Mandaline. (The full translation of The Reading Fingers was published by AFB 1955, and an electronic version of booklet appears online as part of AFB's celebration of Braille at: .) To further commemorate 100 years since Braille's death, AFB and its affiliate American Foundation of Overseas Blind (now known as Helen Keller International) issued a special seal bearing a likeness of his face and dates of his life. The seal was entitled: Louis Braille Centennial, 1809-1852, Light-Bearer to World of Darkness. (An image of this seal can be viewed online JVIB Time Line, available at: .) I will not go into detail on life of Braille here, since literature is already rich with accounts of his life, but I will simply highlight some interesting points that I hope reader will enjoy as much as I do. Please check back every month to continue celebration of this man's unique life and impact his code has had 200 years since his birth. ACCOUNTS OF BRAILLE'S BIRTH AND DEATH The description of Braille's birth and early life from Roblin biography provides a glimpse into life 19th century: The fourth of January, 1809, was a day of happiness for Braille family. The parents, however, were no longer very young; but Simon-Rene Braille [a harness maker, aged 44] said proudly that new baby to be born would be the companion of his old age. ... Suffering labor pains, Monique [Baron Braille, aged 39] had been impatiently awaiting birth.... At four o'clock morning, a small, puny creature, with flabby, wrinkled skin was born, and for some time, it was thought he would not live. (Roblin, 1952, p. 65) But live he did, youngest of four siblings. As a boy of 3 years, went to his father' s forbidden workbench and, in hands, still too chubby to be skillful, took hold of a knife and a piece of leather to cut. …