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..”

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.

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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.

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