Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Knowledge at your fingertips

MEDIA RELEASE October 2014


Knowledge at your fingertips


As part of this year’s Blind Week appeal, a group of AUT students and the Blind Foundation are encouraging the public to engage with braille through a supersized braille message at central Auckland locations.

Members of the public will get the chance to have a hands on experience with braille - translating the message using a basic braille alphabet. Participants can also add their own braille messages to the installation with portable braille printers.

Curiosity about how New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision live their day-to-day lives is common when discussing the Blind Foundation and the work they do.

AUT student Keely Allen says, “Before we began this project, I think we were all interested in how we would live our daily lives if we were to lose our sight.”

The supersized braille message is a way of educating the general public about the Blind Foundation’s work - literally providing knowledge of their services to your fingertips.

Blind Foundation Chief Executive Sandra Budd says that by encouraging interactions with braille, the public can also appreciate the skill New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision and who can read the language of tiny raised dots.

“The process of raised bumps turning into complete sentences opens up a world of information to people who are blind or have low vision, particularly in a world that still relies heavily on the printed word” she says. “Translating the written word into braille, and integrating braille into public places is just one of the many ways the Blind Foundation helps people living with sight loss..”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Braille was first created by blind teenager Louis Braille in 1825 and is now available in nearly every country around the world.

The supersized braille message will be situated in Newmarket Thursday 30 October, and in Queen Elizabeth Square, Downtown Auckland Friday 31 October alongside Blind Week collectors. Funds raised during the Blind Week appeal help Kiwis living with sight loss regain their independence and live full lives.

Blind Week 2014 runs from October 28 - November 3, with street collectors out in city centres throughout the country. For more information or to donate online please visit blindfoundation.org.nz.


ENDS
__________________________________________________________________________

Note to editors:

Portable braille printers will also be available and members of the public to add their name or personal message to the wall to show their support for the Blind Foundation. Blind Foundation clients will be in attendance to aid with decoding and braille printing, as well as to talk to the media if needed.

About the Blind Foundation:

The Blind Foundation is New Zealand’s main service provider for New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision. The Blind Foundation’s vision is to empower and support New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision to ensure they have the same opportunities and choices as everyone else. Currently the Blind Foundation provides essential services to approximately 11,700 people.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.