Braille Literacy Canada Honours Betty Nobel with the 2025 President’s Award 

June 19, 2025 (Toronto, ON) – President Daphne Hitchcock, on behalf of the board of Braille Literacy Canada (BLC), presented the 2025 President’s Award to Betty Nobel at the Annual General Meeting held on May 24, 2025. Established in 2018 and awarded annually, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to braille literacy in Canada.  
 
Betty Nobel is a lifelong braille user who devotes much of her personal and professional energy to braille literacy. She served as President of the Canadian Braille Authority prior to its transition to being called Braille Literacy Canada.  

Betty served on several BLC committees, acted as Chair for the Teaching and Learning committee, and has often contributed to the Braille Zoomers meetings. In addition, Betty has also worked on other community boards, including Blind Beginnings, AMI, and the CNIB library.

At the international level, Betty served on the executive of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB). And recently she has Chaired of the Accessible Standards Canada committee for Way-Finding and Signage. Her participation in this work has helped to improve accessibility and access to government facilities for people with various disabilities.

Betty worked at Vancouver Community College for more than 30 years. She taught adults who are blind and visually impaired, braille and computer courses. Not only did she initiate the programme at VCC, but she also worked as Department Head for much of that time. Throughout her career, as a teacher, she has been committed to Braille as a primary literacy format for people who are blind.

“In both her career and her volunteer work, Betty has underscored the importance of braille as an essential and primary literacy format for those who are blind. She is always willing to step in and help, bringing her good humour and energy to the task at hand.” states BLC president, Daphne Hitchcock.

BLC is honoured to recognize Betty for her years of dedication to Braille Literacy Canada and for the many contributions she has made on a national level.