BRAILLE
Braille Services of Blind SA was established in 1953 and is the only producer
of braille in all eleven official languages of South Africa.
Access to literacy
Access to the written word is the greatest communication barrier blind folk face. Despite advancements in audio technology, reading and writing can only be attained through braille, making it key to literacy.
Production
We produce braille to order only, and try to meet the reading needs of all our customers. Each page of every textbook needs to be transcribed into a braille master page, then duplicated and bound into useful study aids. Our Heidelberg GT Platen Press allows for quick production and our Viewplus Braille and state-of-the-art software means we can print tactile diagrams and pictures.
Cost
Braille Services is a non-profit organisation that supplies its customers with material at about 25% of the actual production cost. The additional costs are funded by the generosity of Blind SA’s donors.
Students
We print textbooks from early grades to the most intricate material required at a higher education level, including lecture notes and examination papers.
Workers
Blind people occupy various job roles that require them to keep up with their sighted colleagues. Literature is therefore needed for a range of professional disciplines and additional work related materials such as labour contracts or insurance policies.
Individuals
Recipes, manuals and travel timetables are required for everyday use, as well as reading for family responsibilities and religious devotions. For effective committee work, agendas, reports and minutes must be in braille. In order to participate in discussion forums documents, Green and White Papers, Bills and Acts, including the Constitution of South Africa are also required in braille. Finally, reading for pleasure also sees the production of recreational books including six braille magazines.