The Good Life: Luca
My name is Luca. The accomplishment in my life that I’m most proud of is starting my microenterprise, Braille by Luca.
I have been blind since early childhood. I started learning Braille when I was in primary school, which is extremely difficult and takes quite some time to learn. It takes many months to even develop the sensitivity in your fingerpads to feel the Braille dots. I am currently doing an advanced course in Braille online. I am also studying indigenous cultures at Sydney University.
Braille by Luca
Through my business, I try to make the world more accessible by providing Braille services. I create cards and bookmarks which I sell at markets and on my website. I also teach students through Braille workshops at local schools.
I have always loved art, in particular tactile art. I studied art at school and have done a number of workshops. I now create all the paintings used in the cards I sell. I have collaborated with other artists creating Braille content that was used as part of artworks and providing Braille signs for their exhibitions. I have even transcribed a book called Lillian, the Tiriki Girl into Braille. I love to work with other creatives. My next goal is to move my office into a shared workplace surrounded by other creative people.
Advice for a Good Life
To me, having a good life means having friends, doing interesting work and being part of a community.
Being part of different communities is important to me. Some of the communities I am part of include fellow artists and stallholders at the Manly markets, my university cohort, the sailing community, Sydney Braille Forum and of course my family and friends.
When it comes to low vision or blindness, I wish people would truly understand the importance of accessibility. Braille opens up a whole new world for people who are blind, so I love that my work is part of that. I also love to share my knowledge of Braille with all people, not just those that are vision impaired.
My advice to parents raising a child who is blind or low vision is to treat them the same as their siblings.
And my advice to other young blind people is don’t hold back!
Luca Weber is a creative entrepreneur, artist and university student. Find out more about Luca’s work at his website Braille by Luca.
In our social media series #StoriesOfTheGoodLife we explore what a good life means for people with disability. People from all walks of life, living rich, full and meaningful lives on their own terms.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services