News Beat
York woman on how braille helps her navigate the world
Braille was the written language Anne Smith turned to when she lost her sight in 1956.
The now 70-year-old learnt the skill, which involves feeling across a combination of raised dots, while at York’s School for the Blind in King’s Manor.
Anne was sent to live at the boarding school from her home in Leeds, and after three years found herself training at the workshop for the blind and partially sighted.
Recommended reading:
She explained: “The men were taught to weave baskets, and the women learnt to knit – using braille to work through patterns.
“I desperately wanted to train as a telephonist but was told that wasn’t possible, so I stayed at the workshop – where I earnt a small wage from the council.
“I still use braille to this day when knitting – it’s such a useful skill, but there are fewer and fewer people learning how to read it now with advanced technology and better treatment for eye conditions.”
World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4 each year.
Recognised internationally, the day spotlights the impact of braille, first developed by Louis Braille 200 years ago.
Today, it is still used by blind and partially sighted people like Anne as a reading tool and an aid to navigate the world.
Anne uses it to read her hospital letters and organising her medication – allowing her to live independently.
She can also access vital community support through York charity MySight’s seasonal YorView newsletter.
The guide offers 1,500 people in and around York with guides on how to get the most out of equipment and activities locally.
Speaking about this, MySight representative, Barbara Fairs, said: “We still publish a section of our newsletters in braille, but we are seeing fewer people using it as the years go by.
“Despite this, most of our newsletters are published as hard copies and its really important that blind and partially sighted people in York receive this information.
The charity operates a transcription service, allowing NHS patients to access and understand their health information independently.
Barbara said: “This keeps the patient’s health records private.
“We also offer support to business to improve their signage – which should be white with dark and large lettering.
“Our Eye Liaison Clinic Service is a vital link for people at the start of their diagnosis – offering guidance and reassurance when the future can feel uncertain.
“People can also receive counselling and equipment to help them navigate emotional and practical difficulties associated with sight loss.”
More information about braille and its uses today can be found by searching for www.rnib.org.uk.
For insight into MySight, please visit www.mysightyork.org.
