Ioannis Sakkelion

Blind Greek linguist who created the first tactile writing system for the visually impaired in the Ottoman Empire.

Ioannis Sakkelion (1835–1891), a forgotten hero of accessibility, developed the Anaglyphic Alphabet decade before Braille gained global acceptance. Born blind in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir), he defied Ottoman-era prejudices against disabilities by mastering eight languages through tactile methods.

In 1863, he introduced a revolutionary raised-letter system using pressed wool fibers on paper, allowing blind students to read philosophical texts and religious scriptures. His work predated Louis Braille’s system in Greek-speaking regions but was overshadowed due to political tensions between Greece and France.

Sakkelion founded Constantinople’s first school for the blind in 1872, where he taught mathematics and classical literature. His translation of Homer’s Odyssey into tactile format became a landmark in Mediterranean disability studies. Despite losing funding after the 1877 Russo-Turkish War, he continued advocating for disability rights until his death from cholera.