What is involved in being blind and visually impaired?

"I was born blind. I could read large print until I was 5. Now I'm 10 and totally blind. I go to a public school. Being blind requires a 10-pound Brailler and a cane about one meter long. The more I grow, the bigger the cane. My friends are very helpful, and I can trust them. I can climb on the bars at recess. I can do anything I want if I try. You see, being blind doesn't mean a thing. Just because I may mess up on something doesn't mean it's the end of the world. I could always try again. And I don't need much help on things, either. Now you know what it's like being blind."

Quoted from the website of NFB

"

Picture of Helen Keller available at Allposters

How to read and write Braille

The history and benefits of Braille

The picture shows a Braille type-writer, a so-called Perkins.

Buy at Allposters.com

"At first I envisaged a life just sat in my parents' house in Buckinghamshire, for ever. But at a RNIB rehabilitation centre, I learned to touch type, do ironing, cleaning and washing, and I've never looked back. It's incredible what you can do if you just learn to do it in a different way. It's all about always knowing where things are. I now much prefer not being able to see anything at all to being partially sighted. It took at least five years to adapt, but now I can get on with things."
Interview by Ros Anderson, The Guardian, Saturday 31 March 2007

The picture shows a magnifying glass with light.

"Some parents choose to send their visually-impaired children to special schools, while others think they should mix with seeing children. Whichever you choose, there are many products on the market that can help your child learning. It depends on your preference. Sometimes also on your budget, as some products are not covered by government grants. "

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE

The picture shows a slate and stylus used to write notes by hand.

"Being blind or visually impaired is not always easy. Small things that we take for granted are difficult to do for somebody without full sight. What time is it? Which floor should I get off the lift? These situations can be big mountains to overcome for a blind person."

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE

" When I was pregnant I was concerned that our child would inherit its father's blindness. When I expressed my fears to my husband he turned to me and said- 'If the baby is born blind- So what? My life is rich and meaningful, even without having complete eye-sight. I will teach the child everything if necessary.' This really made me think. My husband does everything (almost) that he wants to, his life is definitely rich. (It turned out that his blindness is not hereditary.) " Contributed

Photo by FindStuff2

Buy at Allposters.com

Dialogue in the Dark offer exhibitions and business workshops in total darkness. To get through the exhibition, a blind guide will lead visitors. This helps them use their other senses, just as a blind person would do. Throughout the exhibition there are workshops, aimed at ' reinforcing a collaborative mindset and emotional intelligence.'
These exhibitions offer job-opportunites for blind and differently-abled people worldwide, but also aim at making people think, changing perspective.
The first exhibiton opened in 1988. Since then, over 6 million people have visited the exhibitions in over 30 countries, in over 110 cities. More than 6000 blind people have been employed.
Find out where there is an exhibiton close to you, and make sure you visit. It is an eye-opening experience!

Read the whole story behind this fantastic exhibition:DIALOGUE IN THE DARK

Limited edtition on canvas