Braille House Library celebrating 125 Years
On Friday, 22 March 2024, Braille House Library guests celebrated the 125th anniversary of the opening of the library with an Afternoon Tea hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM at Government House, Brisbane. The Governor said, “As Patron of the Queensland Braille Writing Association, I congratulate and thank everyone who has helped it to reach this significant milestone.”
The Braille House Library has been supported by volunteers from its beginning. General Manager, Richard Barker said, “I want to acknowledge the wonderful work of the dedicated volunteers at Braille House Library. 125 years of volunteers and staff have tutored braille, transcribe, proofread, and produce braille books. The library would not have survived without this commitment.”
Braille House proudly partnering with Queensland Tourism Development to enhance accessibility and inclusivity.
We are proud to partner with Queensland Tourism Development to enhance accessibility and inclusivity.
Together, we’re working towards making Queensland more accessible for everyone, especially the blind and low vision community.
Richard Barker, General Manager, and Margo Carwardine, Project Coordinator, attended the launch event.
Richard stated: “This is a grant that we’ve been able to access to develop a suite of resources that are available on our website for businesses, tourist locations and venues, to make sure that they can make their venues more accessible and inclusive.”
Margo, who presented our Accessible Tourism Resources webpages at the launch, commented: “There is often a lot of goodwill from businesses in that they want to step into that space. They genuinely want to make a difference, but they don’t know where to start. These resources give businesses and destinations a starting point to make a positive difference.”
Melinda Tait, General Manager at Murrumba Downs Tavern, a venue that has recently leveraged the resources we provide, stated: “We utilise the Braille House organisation’s online resources to assist us to further develop things that we need to improve on, or things that we didn’t even consider. The resources were really fabulous. For example, things like checking our signage, ensuring there are no steps or trip hazards, or the ultimate for me, the development of menus and how easy it is to get them.”
In summarising this new initiative, Margo said: “Without the support of the Accessible Tourism Enabler Grant from the Queensland State Government, Braille House would not have been in the position to develop these resources. They’re a practical toolkit that can make a valuable difference, not just to the destinations, but to people who are blind or have low vision, and to make society more equitable and accessible.”
Check out our Accessible Tourism Resources area here.
Discover more about our shared commitment and the impactful work we’re doing by following this link.
If you’re interested in learning how to make your business more accessible and inclusive, reach out to Braille House at 07 3848 5257.
Friday 17th December: Braille House annual ‘Celebration of Friendship’ Golf Day
Held at the prestigious RACV Royal Pines Resort Golf Course. This annual Charity Golf Day, orchestrated with precision by the esteemed team at ‘Celebration of Friendship,’ is not merely a sporting event; it’s a pivotal effort to secure the sustainability of Braille House.
We extend our deepest appreciation to the team at ‘Celebration of Friendship’ for their dedication and for generously allocating all funds raised to our cause.
Acknowledgment and appreciation is also due to our valued sponsors, whose invaluable support has made this event possible.
Braille House annual ‘Celebration of Friendship’ Golf Day
In addition to all of our wonderful sponsors, our Golf Day wouldn’t have been complete without the fantastic support of Promotion Products. A massive thank you to the team at Promotion Products. Learn more about them and the promotional products and services they offer here: www.promotionproducts.com.au
Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition
Braille House is pleased to announce that the 2023 Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition, proudly supported by Brisbane City Council is now open for your votes. To read this years entries and to vote please click here.
Half way through setting up the room!
The Annual Braille Literacy Challenge Friday 8th September
The countdown is well underway to the Annual Braille Literacy Challenge and our team are busy setting up the room! We will update the page with pictures of the final layout later this week.
This much-awaited event represents so much more than a celebration of Braille literacy skills among Queensland students; it’s a testament to the power of respect and inclusion combined with the immense benefits that braille education imparts upon our children within the education system.
Good luck to all the students!
A formal dinner at Government House Queensland
Our Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland recently held a formal dinner at Government House Queensland.
Her Excellency’s team wished to ensure that all dinner guests felt welcomed and engaged Braille House to emboss and provide a braille menu for one of the distinguished guests who is blind.
The response was overwhelming, with the guest stating that receiving a braille menu was a wonderful surprise, adding how much he enjoyed being able to read the menu to his wife for the first time, rather than her reading it to him.
Thoughtful acts, like providing a braille menu, can create a profound and meaningful impact, enriching someone’s life with inclusivity, dignity, and empowerment.
There are many ways all of us can contribute to the lives of those that rely on braille.
To discover how you can foster inclusivity and make a difference by incorporating braille into your services and events please feel free to reach out to us 07 3848 5257 or via email: [email protected]
Photos kindly shared with us by the wonderful team at Government House Queensland.
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