We’re looking forward to introducing you to Janie Desir. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Janie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, what’s bringing me the most joy is spending quiet, playful moments with my son — exploring the world through sound, touch, and imagination. Whether we’re reading Braille together, listening to music, or painting during our ‘Sippy Cup & Paint’ sessions, those moments remind me why I started this journey. They fill my heart and keep me grounded in gratitude. I’m also finding joy in connecting with other parents and advocates who share a passion for inclusion — it feels amazing to build a community where every child’s way of learning is celebrated.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Janie Desir, and I’m a blind mother, educator, and advocate dedicated to making early learning accessible for every child. I’m the founder and CEO of Teaching Your Baby in Braille, a movement and educational brand inspired by my son’s journey with vision loss. When he was diagnosed with Keratoconus, I taught myself Braille so I could teach him — long before most children even begin reading. That personal journey became my mission: to empower other families to introduce Braille and inclusion from the very beginning of life.
Through Teaching Your Baby in Braille, I create Braille-inclusive books, sensory learning tools, and parent education programs that help families nurture confidence, connection, and literacy in children ages 0–5 — whether they are blind, visually impaired, bilingual, or have special needs. My brand is special because it’s built from lived experience, love, and the belief that every child deserves to learn in a way that celebrates their abilities.
Right now, I’m expanding our book line, leading parent Braille classes, and hosting creative family events like “Sippy Cup & Paint,” which bring communities together through art, learning, and inclusion. My goal is to continue breaking barriers, inspiring parents, and building a world where accessibility isn’t an afterthought — it’s the foundation of early learning.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that changed how I see the world was when I realized my son might lose his vision to Keratoconus. At first, I was scared — not because of blindness itself, but because I didn’t want him to face a world that wasn’t ready to include him. That fear quickly turned into purpose. I decided to teach myself Braille and teach him too, even before he needed it. Through that journey, I discovered a new way of seeing — not with my eyes, but with my heart. It taught me that sight isn’t what guides us — love, resilience, and faith do. That moment shaped how I live, work, and advocate today. It’s why Teaching Your Baby in Braille exists: to remind families that every challenge can become a pathway to hope and empowerment.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the day I decided that my story — no matter how hard or imperfect — could help someone else heal. When my son was diagnosed with Keratoconus and I was facing my own blindness, I used to keep my pain quiet, afraid people would only see my challenges instead of my strength. But when I began teaching my son Braille, something changed. I saw how love could turn fear into action. I realized that my pain wasn’t meant to be hidden — it was meant to be shared, because it could open doors for other families walking the same road.
That’s when Teaching Your Baby in Braille was born. I turned my struggle into purpose, my tears into lessons, and my story into light for others. Now I see my pain as power — the kind that builds bridges, inspires courage, and reminds us that even in the dark, we can still teach, lead, and shine.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is inclusion rooted in love and respect. I believe every culture, language, and ability carries its own kind of beauty, and no one should ever have to hide who they are to belong. As a blind, Haitian mother raising a bilingual child, I’ve seen how powerful it is when we honor where we come from while making space for others to do the same.
Inclusion isn’t just something I talk about — it’s the foundation of how I teach, parent, and lead. Whether it’s through Braille, bilingual education, or creating sensory books that celebrate diversity, I want every child and family to know they are seen, heard, and valued exactly as they are.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I would regret not using my story to change how the world sees blindness and inclusion. I’ve learned that our challenges are not there to break us — they’re there to build something bigger through us. If I ever stopped sharing my journey, if I stayed silent when I could inspire another parent or child to believe in themselves, that would be my greatest regret.
I want to leave behind a legacy where every baby — blind, sighted, bilingual, or with special needs — has access to books, learning, and love in a way that speaks to who they are. I would regret not doing everything I could to make that world a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TYBIBraille.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teaching_your_baby_in_braille?igsh=emJvMDNrbThqcXNk&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janie-desir-540a9b238?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17Ni8PHGqQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@teaching_your_baby_in_braille?si=t9Qb5TlQCn_rB6TB
