Susan Boyle and X Factor's Joe McElderry support UK's National Braille Week

(Royal Blind, Edinburgh)

Coming up on January 4 is World Braille Day. In addition, UK singers Susan Boyle and Joe McElderry are lending a hand in support of National Braille Week in the UK, which runs January 4-10.

Celebrating Louis Braille's birthday on January 4, 1809, the annual event is an opportunity for blindness organizations to promote Braille literacy, showcase their work, and raise public awareness of blindness issues around the world.

To mark the occasion, UK television show X Factor winner McElderry has launched the first ever Braille CD booklet, featuring lyrics and liner notes for his debut single "The Climb," which reached number one in UK singles charts. Visually impaired fans can order the CDs for free from the Scottish Braille Press in Edinburgh.

In addition, an exhibition of artwork by visually impaired artists, including paintings, photography, and sculptures, as well as Braille messages from UK celebs including Boyle, Michael Ball, and Stephen Fry, are only display through January 4 in the main banking hall at the Royal Bank on St. Andrew Square in Edinburgh.

Visit websites such as the World Blind Union and the UK-based National Braille Week for details and information. To order the CD booklet and for more information about UK events, visit http://www.nationalbrailleweek.org/page/news.

http://www.worldblindunion.org