Braille IT

Aim

Braille IT would like to raise money for core costs to support the project to deliver free UEB Accredited Braille in our local community.

Braille IT offers accredited free tuition in Braille skills to blind or visually impaired, parents and carers and anyone affected by visual impairment. We are accredited by Open Awards. Braille IT also offers a service transcribing print into Braille. 

Classes are currently running in Clitheroe, Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley. We also provide a postal learning package for anyone who is unable to attend classes.

Recently we have had an increase in engagement with new mothers who have recently had babies who are born blind during the pandemic and mothers whose children have gone blind during the pandemic.

We have been providing this service for over 17 years and we are a registered charity and are currently making the transition to being a CIO. This service is available to community groups, businesses, clubs and individuals throughout East Lancashire. We are able to offer impartial advice and guidance on screen reader software and the latest computing technology for blind and visually impaired users.

We are very honoured to be awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary services in 2016. The Group has three trustees and members can attend a steering group.

We believe that our organisation is providing a service that otherwise would not be accessible within the blind and visually impaired community in the East Lancashire area of the UK. We are a community and volunteer project delivering braille tuition to support and encourage independence, positive outlook on life and general wellbeing. Our project facilitates all practical solutions that are necessary in navigating the day to day tasks of living in a technology led world e.g. accessing GP appointments, learning resources, banking and braille transcript. We offer a blended learning style that uses UEB braille, orbit readers, victor readers, ipads and specialists software (dependent on the learners needs). This is delivered in class and due to covid outbreak remotely as well.

Braille IT is more than a class based learning experience, it offers a network for likeminded people and opportunities to attend social events especially planned for people who are blind or affected by sight loss.

This project successfully funded on 20th September 2022