I’ll be operating the special events amateur radio call GB2HLB, from 26

December 2008 to 22 January 2009, from home, to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille.

Each station contacted will receive a special card depicting Braille and raising

awareness of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

You’re invited to either sponsor me for the number of contacts I make during the 28 days for which I’ll have the call sign, or just make a donation in support of this great event.

In January celebrations will take place around the world to mark the

bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille, the remarkable inventor of a

system of embossed

type used by blind and partially sighted people for reading and writing.

 

 

Braille is a code based on six dots arranged in two columns of

three dots. There are 63 combinations of these six dots and variations of

them represent all the letters of the alphabet, punctuation and groups of

letters.

 

 

Braille has been adapted into almost every known language and

continues to offer blind and partially sighted people the key to literacy,

knowledge, independence and opportunity.

 

 

Braille allows blind and partially sighted people to enjoy reading

and writing in multiple languages. Technological developments mean that

Braille is as relevant now as ever. Refreshable Braille displays can be

connected to computers as can Braille keyboards, while portable Braille note

taking machines allow people to read and write notes at work and at home.

 

 

Braille is also used everywhere in daily life from bus stops and maps to

music notation and text books.

 

 

Braille gives people the independence to manage their own lives, to read

their own bills, private bank statements and medical letters. It is also

used around the home to label everyday items, such as tins or packets of

food, cleaning products, washing machine and cooker dials, bank account books, CDs - the list could go on.

 

 

Braille remains at the heart of RNIB's work. The charity continues to

champion the development of Braille technology, giving Braille users even

more opportunity to take charge of their own lives.

 

 

RNIB also provides a range of Braille services, including:

 

 

. National Library Service Braille collection - books for all age groups,

including materials for people learning Braille and a selection of Braille

music including scores and books about music and music theory.

. Braille books and products for sale - diaries, Braille displays, labelling

equipment, pill dispensers and other items to make daily life easier.

. Braille magazines -covering a wide range of interests.

. Courses to learn Braille

. On-demand transcription services for individuals

. Braille production for organisations, from exams to utility

bills.

 

 

RNIB has a range of activities planned during 2009 to mark the bicentenary

of Louis Braille's birth. For more information on these or on Braille visit

 

 

www.rnib.org.uk/braille

So please sponsor me now!