Because the world marks the bicentenary of Braille, Blind SA is proudly honouring the legacy and transformative energy of this tactile system with a renewed name for inclusivity, literacy, and technological innovation for individuals with visible impairments throughout South Africa.
Based in 1946, Blind SA has lengthy championed Braille as greater than only a studying and writing software however advocated for it as a significant instrument for independence, training, and equality.
With deep historic roots and a progressive outlook, the organisation stays on the forefront of Braille advocacy, training, and manufacturing within the nation.
The Brialle supervisor at Blind SA, Ofentse Manyane, mentioned that Braille just isn’t a relic of the previous but it surely’s a bridge to the long run.
“It empowers people to entry info, interact with their communities, and stay unbiased, significant lives. As we commemorate 200 years of Braille, we at Blind SA stay steadfast in our mission to make this invaluable software accessible to all,” Ofentse mentioned.
Empowering via literacy and innovation
Blind SA has lengthy recognised literacy as a elementary human proper.
By means of its Braille Providers division, established in 1953, the organisation produces accessible content material in all eleven official South African languages. Their choices embrace Braille, massive print, audio codecs, tactile graphics, and even 3D fashions.
“From accredited coaching programmes in Unified Braille Code to foundational tutorials provided to employees and interns, Blind SA’s training initiatives purpose to foster widespread Braille literacy. Within the final monetary yr alone, the organisation educated greater than 85 people, together with educators, to additional embed Braille in studying environments,” Ofentse defined.
The organisation can also be piloting an modern venture in partnership with the Lego Basis and the College of Cape City to deliver Lego Braille Bricks into particular colleges.
The Braille Museum at Blind SA places of work.
This playful but highly effective method goals to ignite love for literacy from a younger age, with promising early outcomes and potential for nationwide enlargement.
Guaranteeing entry and fairness
Blind SA’s manufacturing crew of 21 devoted employees members transcribes an array of supplies from examination papers to restaurant menus into Braille, subsidising 99% of prices for blind people.
Its dedication to creating Braille inexpensive and obtainable extends to publishing common free publications corresponding to Braillorama, The Trumpet, and the Blind SA Publication.
Recognising the digital shift in info entry, Blind SA additionally maintains one in all South Africa’s largest on-line libraries for visually impaired customers. The Blind SA Bookshare service presents audiobooks, digital Braille, and huge print recordsdata to over 700 members, offering a necessary gateway to each leisure and tutorial sources.
Preserving the previous, embracing the long run
The Antoinette Botha Braille Museum, housed at Blind SA headquarters in Alrode, pays tribute to the tactile code’s legacy via a formidable assortment of historic Braille writing machines, fashionable embossers, tactile maps, and assistive applied sciences.
The museum is a testomony to the enduring relevance of Braille and its ongoing evolution in a digital world.
Because the nation displays on 200 years since Louis Braille launched the system that bears his identify, Blind SA continues to lift consciousness via public engagement, academic outreach, and group collaboration.
Plans for on-line Braille coaching initiatives within the upcoming monetary yr promise to broaden their attain even additional.
“Braille is the heartbeat of Blind SA’s mission. Its vitality lies in each contact and our work is devoted to making sure that this important software stays accessible and alive for generations to return,” Ofentse concluded.
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