BRAILLE DEPARTMENT’S BACK GROUND
For many years, the Blind in Zimbabwe have relied on foreign libraries as far as Braille books are concerned. Awareness campaign to show the disadvantages of illiteracy have partially produced the intended results. This is shown by a large number of Blind students attending schools, at all levels of education namely Primary, Secondary, Polytechnics and Universities
. However the challenges of the shortage or insufficient of Braille books such as text books, novels, magazines, Braille software’s, equipment's used by the blind at this juncture has not been solved. The opening of the Braille section at the Bulawayo Public Library was meant to minimize the problems highlighted above. The Braille section was established in November 1995 with a donation of some Braille books from International well-wishers to benefit the blind in Zimbabwe. The membership has since increased to 409. The membership at the Braille section is free and all members join as members of the Bulawayo Public Library. The subscription is totally free. This facility is designed to empower the above mentioned members
Challenges
The period of last three decades, after independence has witnessed a significant expansion of educational opportunities for the blind. As a result, the number of blind boys & girls come forward to obtain their school and college education which is going up every year. However, it is regrettable that, thousands of visually impaired students are experiencing serious challenges in the field of education due to lack of real opportunities and resources as general people. Progress in the field of education varies less than the able bodied. As a result, the blind youngsters have failed to keep pace with the accelerated tempo of educational activity. That is why the library is making relentless effort to resolve this problem through the Braille library. Despite what the constitution says about the free compulsory inclusive education enforced by the government of Zimbabwe. Visually impaired people find themselves being driven into the extremes of desperation, as most of the established schools and college students cannot get a single Braille book. As a result the dropout rate of the visually impaired children from the schools is very high in comparison to their able bodied counterparts. The proposed project will be able to enhance and fulfill the dreams of thousands of visually impaired boys and girls by availing them enough opportunity in respect of all types of study material in all official languages. The Braille Section department is currently experiencing a number of challenges such as,
the library space is very small whilst Braille books are bulky& occupy more space than other print books. Books & equipment are cramped leaving little space for subscribers who want to use the facility. The section is under equipped with a few computers with screen reading software’s. The library still relies on donated Braille literature due to lack of equipment. The section is not well marketed since very few people know of its existence; most books are outdated, archaic, old and faint. Lack of capacity to meet the academic needs of the blind. Lack of funds to carry out advocacy programs on inclusive education and other non discriminatory activities
NEED OF THE PROJECT:
Due to the slow moving pace done by the government in establishing Braille resource Centers in most of the schools in cities, the visually impaired children accessing necessary study materials in Braille in nearby schools. The library intends to set up a computerized Braille press in its premises to Produce the necessary study materials in Braille, audio and Large print so that thousands of visually impaired school children and college going, can be able to complete their education successfully in nearby schools which are not costly. By this project a platform will be set for the visually impaired school children and youth to achieve education and compete with general people in the employment sector by utilizing their knowledge acquired from the Braille, audio and large print books. The beneficiaries will be privileged to develop their inherent quality and make changes in behavioral attitude through sharing knowledge among themselves and others.
