The Royal National Institute of Blind People is bringing its ‘Braille and Beyond’ library tour to Guernsey this coming week, as part of a year-long series taking place across the UK to commemorate the bicentenary of the invention of Braille.
Staff and representatives from the RNIB, the local Guille-Allès Library, and the Guernsey Blind Association, will be on hand to discuss the continued significance of Braille.
They’ll also be able to offer reading advice, showcase accessible books and modern reading technologies, and provide an opportunity for blind and partially sighted individuals in Guernsey to connect with one another.
The program includes discussions on the history and evolution of Braille, including its adaptation with new technologies and there’ll be a platform for attendees to share their personal experiences with Braille.
James Bowden, RNIB’s Braille Technical Officer, is blind and a lifelong Braille user himself.
“Braille is reading designed for our fingers, just like print is designed for our eyes,” he said. “It’s a vital tool that helps blind and partially sighted people lead fulfilled lives.
“Braille readers are more likely to be employed than blind people who don’t read Braille, and this highlights a critical need to expand Braille education, ensuring that more children with vision impairment and adults with sight loss can benefit from this powerful tool.
“Supporting Braille education and resources is a crucial step towards an inclusive society. We’re doing the RNIB Braille and Beyond tour to celebrate the story of Braille so far, and it will be up to blind and partially sighted people across the UK to write the next chapter.”
Meanwhile Jackie Burgess, the Guille-Allès Library’s Community & Wellbeing Lead, said the programme includes various educational components such as a Braille demonstration for children and a family story time tailored for visually impaired children under the age of five.
“We’re proud to be hosting this event to celebrate 200 years of Braille – a system that has transformed literacy, education and opportunity for blind and partially sighted people. At the Library our team works hard to make sure that our collections and services are accessible to all – because libraries are for everyone.
“We’re passionate about ensuring that blind and partially sighted people can stay connected to reading, whether that’s through large print and audiobooks, our Stories on USB postal service, or through our partnerships with organisations like the RNIB and the Guernsey Blind Association.
“This event is a chance to showcase the full range of services on offer for blind and partially sighted people at the Library, at the same time as celebrating the amazing legacy of Braille.”
You can find out more information on Braille and Beyond, it’s UK tour, and what’s happening in Guernsey on the Guille-Allès Library website HERE.