When touch replaces sight

Vision is undoubtedly valuable, but certainly not the only way to know our environment. Objects that you can touch and browse are perceived by the brain almost like seeing them. Touch helps to get the "picture" of an object, its dimensions, its shape, its texture, even if you really cannot see it.

The problem of reading books satisfactorily is resolved with the use of Braille - a system that corresponds letters of the alphabet and numbers with palpable dots that are felt with the tips of your fingers.

The system began as a secret code of communication for the French army during the time of Napoleon I but was converted by Louis Braille (who was himself blind) into a system of recognition programmes for people with visual impairment.