The blind no longer in the dark
The Department of Arts and Culture, in partnership with the South African Library for the Blind (SALB) in Grahamstown is introducing a service for the visually impaired by establishing mini-libraries for the blind across KwaZulu-Natal.
For the average person, nothing is more terrifying that the thought of going blind, but we hardly ever stop to consider the struggle of those who already are.
For the visually impaired, ordinary tasks like a trip to town or something as simple as navigating through their homes is an uphill battle we will never understand. We often pity residents with physical disabilities, but disregard those who never had the gift of sight; a gift the average person takes for granted more often than not. What would you do if you were completely in the dark?
The Department of Arts and Culture, in partnership with the South African Library for the Blind (SALB) in Grahamstown is introducing a service for the visually impaired by establishing mini-libraries for the blind across KwaZulu-Natal.
The influential initiative came about when the municipality was approached by the project’s role players. The municipality decided Newcastle Library Services was a strong candidate for service implementation.
“Following a number of queries from the community, it became evident that the Newcastle area has a number of visually impaired citizens who are in need of a service like this,” said town librarian, Aletta Botes.
Subsequently, a request to include the Newcastle Library in the project was directed to the Department of Arts and Culture, the department who had the final say in which libraries would be included in the nationwide initiative.
Skeptical as to whether the library would have to be extended to make provision for the new equipment, questions and concerns where addressed regarding the location of the library. “Extension of the Newcastle Library will not be necessary. An area has been identified within the library which will be suitable and accessible,” said Ms Botes.
A service as beneficial as this will extend essential service delivery to the blind community of Newcastle.
“These citizens have in the past not been provided with an information service, leaving them isolated from the community. The service will enable them to satisfy their reading needs on an educational, as well as a recreational level. Visually impaired citizens who have not had the opportunity to acquire the skill of reading braille will now be able to do so, as braille material will be available in basic formats,” said Ms Botes.
The library will have the following complex technological devices and software to not only educate, but empower the visually impaired community: Job access with speech (JAWS) software and zoom text, DAISY readers and scan readers.
“The South African Library for the Blind trains staff on how to assist and relate to visually impaired community members,” continued Ms Botes.
When asked if a project manger had been identified, the municipality said, “Ms Botes can be contacted at 034 328 7617/20 for more information. Application forms have been distributed to all the libraries across Newcastle to ensure more accessibility. Anyone can collect and return an application form to any of the libraries, whereafter the forms will be returned to Ms Botes.”
Since the inception of the initiative, the issue of transportation of the equipment was brought to the attention of the departments involved. These issues have since been resolved.
The Strategic Executive Director (SED) of Community Services has committed wholeheartedly to the project and indicated transport will be provided to reach community members who are unable to visit the library. Not providing transport for the visually impaired would severely hamper the purpose of the project.
“An inter-library loan system will ensure audio and braille books, as well as magazines in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Northern and Southern Sotho and Tswana are requested for the library of blind members. This service will be free of charge.”
The initiative is further strengthened because every visually impaired person who joins the library will receive a DAISY Reader from SALB. Training will also be provided.
The community is encouraged to contact Ms Botes for more information on the Mini Library for the Blind. Furthermore, the municipality urges residents to spread the word for a worthy cause. Lets allow the hype surrounding a library for the blind to translate into our every day lives and transform the image of Newcastle as we know it.
