MORE than 70 blind and partially sighted pupils at the Tshilidzini Special School in Shayandima, outside Thohoyandou, Limpopo battle when it comes to reading.
But all that will change thanks to the South African Library for the Blind. The organisation has launched new picture-form, or tactile, books and a Braille manual in honour of Disability Rights Awareness Month. Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired.
Pasha Alden, the library for the blind’s national Braille consultant, said they hope to create children’s tactile books in all 11 official SA languages.
“As a first of its kind in South Africa, we are also launching an indigenous Braille manual to try to set standards.
“This will help children learn how to read Braille in a language they understand,” she said.
“By developing Braille manuals and tactile books in indigenous languages, we are ensuring that all South Africans can learn Braille in their mother tongue.
“We are encouraging the young ones to love reading and to start this at a very young age.”
Alden said they have brought out five different tactile titles for pupils to read and use for storytelling.
Michael Tshiovhe, the school’s head of the foundation phase, said the development could not have come at a better time.
“Our children need these skills and we are happy that we have not been left out.
“This will benefit our children immensely and the seeds of reading will germinate as a result,” he said.
