Source: City of Portsmouth
On Saturday 7 June, Portsmouth Central Library is hosting a day filled with events and activities in collaboration with The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Join us to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille and the library’s significant support for the blind and partially sighted community.
- Explore the braille exhibition, open from 10am.
- Create your own braille bookmark drop-in workshop led by internationally renowned braille artist Clarke Reynolds where you can create your name in braille on a bookmark from 11am-11.45am.
- Clarke Reynolds will also launch his first children’s book ‘ Mr Dot and his magical white cane adventures’ which will be braille as standard for everyone making it truly inclusive. The book is dedicated to a young visually impaired person called Etta who will be attending the event. A copy of the book will be handed over to the library to be booked out.
- Learn more in the braille 200 presentation with RNIB’s Library Engagement Manager, Lara Marshall from 12pm-12.15pm.
- Enjoy a special braille tuition drop-in workshop for beginners lead by local braille specialists ‘All Things Dotty’ from 12.30pm-1.30pm.
- Hear Portsmouth Libraries visual impairment officer Julie Duffy and founder of ‘All Things Dotty’ Brandon Hulcoop share their personal braille stories from 1.30pm-2pm. There will also be time to open to the audience for attendees to share their stories.
- Take two! Repeat of the make your own braille bookmark workshop, at 2pm.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said:
“This is a great opportunity to show our commitment and support to diversity and inclusivity in the city. Portsmouth libraries host a range of activities for children and adults of all ages that are free to attend. The libraries work closely to support the visually impaired community, so this is a chance to celebrate their on-going work and 200th anniversary of braille.”
Lara Marshall, RNIB’s Library Engagement Manager, said:
“We’re delighted to bring our Braille and Beyond tour to Portsmouth Library and to be working with renowned braille artist Clarke Reynolds and All Things Dotty to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille.
“Braille is reading designed for our fingers just like print is designed for our eyes. 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.
“Libraries are such a fantastic resource for blind and partially sighted people to access braille, large print and audio books and to connect with community groups and likeminded people, so Portsmouth Library is the perfect place to welcome Portsmouth’s blind and partially sighted community.”
Take up the chance the learn more about braille, enjoy the activities and celebrate the library’s support to the visually impaired community in Portsmouth.