Say It With Braille!

Royal Blind Celebrates National Braille Week 2013

Friday 4th January marked the start of National Braille Week 2013 and Royal Blind is celebrating by releasing our own “Say it With Braille” Messaging App, which transcribes personal messages into Braille code that can be sent to a friend’s email inbox. Thanks to modern technology and computer software, Braille is becoming more accessible and portable for the millions of people who use it daily all over the world. Royal Blind is excited to be able to contribute to this relationship with an application that allows sighted individuals to engage with and learn more about Braille while also having fun communicating with friends.

Royal Blind is also celebrating the creation of the Braille system by designing a colourful collection of Brailled postcards that read each of our five services: The Royal Blind School, Braeside House, Scottish Braille Press, Forward Vision, and Kidscene.

National Braille Week (4th - 11th January) celebrates the birth of Louis Braille, who went on to invent the tactile system of reading and writing that is now used by more than 150 million people in 120 different countries. Louis Braille became blind as a little boy after an accident that occurred while he was playing in his father’s workshop. As a child, Louis created the Braille system, which is comprised of small rectangular blocks called “cells” that contain tiny raised dots while the number and arrangement of the raised dots distinguish each character. Over 200 years later, Braille continues to provide visually impaired and blind individuals with literacy, opportunity and independence

National Braille Week is about raising knowledge and understanding about its use within the UK. We see it as a great way to raise awareness and inspire both interest and support for Braille, which is the world's only truly universal written code. So why not set yourself a challenge this week and try saying it with Braille!

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For more information and photos, please contact Fiona Carr on 0131 229 1456.

Notes to editors

1. This story is for immediate use and the words and pictures are free to use.

2. The activities of Royal Blind, www.royalblind.org include:

The Royal Blind School, Edinburgh

The Royal Blind School offers the highest quality of education and care to meet the needs of young people with a visual impairment. Our two campuses include pre-school, primary and secondary facilities supporting pupils with additional support needs.

Braeside House

Braeside House is our home that provides first class services and facilities for older people who are blind or visually impaired, offering both residential and nursing care in purpose built premises.
Scottish Braille Press

The Scottish Braille Press is a leading provider of high quality alternative formats. The press has years of experience, backed up with continuing investment in technology and skills to ensure we can supply the best that is available for our customer needs.

Forward Vision

Forward Vision offers young adults aged 18-25 who have a visual impairment disability, care and support with person centred focus on strengths and abilities, encouraging greater independence.

Kidscene

Kidscene After School Club offers after school care to children attending the Royal Blind School and local Schools. The club aims to include a safe, secure and relaxed environment for the children in our care. We endeavour to provide an atmosphere and activities similar to those found within the home.

Tel: 0131 229 1456

Email: laura.house@royalblind.org

50 Gillespie Crescent

Edinburgh

EH10 4JB

Tel: 0131 229 1456

Email: enquiries@royalblind.org