THE Bright Eyes Trust in Musgrave has embarked on a project to empower parents of visually impaired children by opening a braille workshop at its premises on Bellevue Road.

The braille workshop, which is also open to the community, will begin operating from October 1, from 14:00 to 17:00.

Bright Eyes Trust founder Carron Strachan said the aim is to empower parents and make costly braille equipment accessible to the community. “We want parents of visually impaired children to learn and know how to read braille so that they connect with their children, even if it means reading a bedtime story together,” said Strachan.

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Drawing from her own life experiences, the visually impaired NPO founder said not having access to braille equipment at a young age later impacted her as a mother.

“I would struggle to read a bedtime story to my son because I am visually impaired, so I know what it means to be limited. But there is life after blindness,” said Strachan.

“Kids and parents can learn together and take the fear out of learning braille. We want to help people in the community to learn braille in a comfortable environment which is what we are offering.”

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The classes will be run with the aid of Bright Eyes facilitator Kgomotso Mabitsela, who taught herself how to use braille.

“I was intrigued by the use of braille and wanted know and be able to read the work that I was printing for the kids. I began learning and used Google to teach myself braille; it was not difficult to get into and I encourage everyone to learn it. It is a valuable skill to have and you never know when you might need it.”

Strachan said the unit will be able to accommodate four people at a time and will also empower parents by showing them how to make a creative and fun “bucket” for children to learn braille at home.

“With technological advances happening people are moving away from braille but there are still those not able to access the equipment which makes it all the more valuable. We need to get excited about braille again and raise awareness.”

For more information or to book a spot, email info@brighteyestrust.co.za.

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