Produced by General Electric (GE) for American Printing House for the Blind in Kentucky, this player has dials to control tone, volume, speed, side and buttons to record, rewind, forward, play, pause and stop tape. Handling both 2 and 4 track tapes, these players were targeted towards the vision impaired, as it allowed greater freedom to adjust recording styles to suit individual listeners. Plastic rectangular brown audio player with buttons for navigational controls, a handle and black vinyl carry pouch.audio equipment, assistive devices

This is a blank, unfilled template of the Life Member Certificate, which reads "Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Life Member. This is to Certify that ...[name]... was this day ... [date]... Appointed a Life Member in honour of exemplary service to people who are blind or vision impaired. By Order of the Board of Directors." There are also designated spaces for signatures of the President and CEO. Caertificate includes the Lighthouse for the Blind logo centered at the top of the page.1 certificate with blue and gold writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, office equipment and supplies

This oil painting of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution (later Royal Blind Society of New South Wales) at William Street was painted by F.R. Fowler in 1976. It was inspired by an original etching. The building was erected between 1876 and 1879 and was designed by Edmund Blacket. It was funded through a generous bequest by John William Wood. The Institution provided the first employment training in NSW for people who were blind or vision impaired.Oil painting in wooden frame with nameplate at baseThe Sydney Industrial Blind Institution 1879sydney industrial blind institution, f.r. fowler

Article on the creation of a Vision Impaired Guide to the Old Melbourne Gaol, launched by Dr Denis Napthine, Minister for Youth and Community Services. The guide was put together by the National Trust with the invaluable assistance of the Association for the Blind, who also provided a training program to Gaol staff. At the launch are pictured: Diana Gardiner, Marjorie West, Dr Denis Napthine, Neil Maxwell, Val Silverberg, Simon Molesworth and Carole Grace.1 page with black and white photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, national trust of victoria, marjorie west

On November 25, 2005, a time capsule was buried at Vision Australia's head office in Kooyong. As part of the contents, these interviews were put on CD and placed inside the capsule. The capsule is designated to be opened in 2066, to celebrate 200 years of providing services to people who are blind or vision impaired. NSW clients and staff were asked what their life was like now and what they hoped would happen by 2066.1 CD with 30 sound filesvision australia, time capsule, david 'geordie' mcburnie, gerard menses, jane ellis, christine cummins, robyn whitelock, luisa ferranato, david woodbridge, russell dines, marion jones, gillian true, marina ipaviz, paul chand, vanessa spark, graeme innes, nick gleeson

A Cyma Amic alarm clock, composing of brass and metal. Raised dots to indicate each hour of the day instead of numbers, hands on clock exposed so can be felt by vision impaired person and alarm function is a round raised brass plate with a dot so can be set. Back of clock has alarm function and wind-up mechanism, no braille information, each function has engraved picture or words. Clock sits on a small square base.Metal clock with raised dotsassistive devices, braille

Throughout the 1970's until the 1990's, Mitchell Manufacturing produced a popular range of bicycles for the general public and hiring companies alike. The Lighthouse bicycle was first developed, then superceded by the Mitchell bicycle. Using a combination of overseas sourced materials, these were assembled in the Royal Blind Society of NSW's headquarters in Enfield, and provided employment to range of blind and vision impaired workers. In one image, Neville Wran and Maj General Paul Cullen toast to the success of the company.16 B/W electronic images of bicyclesroyal blind society of new south wales, mitchell manufacturing, neville wran, paul cullen

Closed Circuit Television allows people to view items placed upon a board, which slides up, down or across. Developed initially as either a security measure by Leon Theremin (1925) or by Siemans (1947) for rocket launchers, their magnification ability is used for reading by those with a vision impairment. In this image a young person sits in front of a screen which has the words "But Lisa said/Cigarettes just/They're bad" on it. An abstract painting hangs on the brown wall to the side of the desk.royal blind society of nsw, equipment

The Taylor Slate was developed by Rev. William Taylor in England in the mid 19th century it was in common use until the early 1970's and enabled blind or vision impaired students to do maths calculations by arranging metal pegs in the slate. The main part of the slate is a metal sheet with 432, 8 sided holes which small metal pegs are inserted. The pegs have different shapes on their ends. These are used to represent different numbers and symbols depending on the way the pegs are placed in the slate and which combinations of pegs are used.39 sliver rectangular cubed pegs braille equipment, education

Tilly Aston was the founder of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, which became the Association for the Blind, Vision Foundation and later Vision Australia. Her work in expanding the options available to blind and vision impaired Victorians triggered the push for similar conditions inter-state, and she was a pioneer force in challenging perceptions of both the sighted and less-sighted communities. This bust of Tilly Aston was donated by Malcolm and Beverley Daubney and unveiled at the 1997 Annual General Meeting for the Association for the Blind (now Vision Australia) on the 19th September 1997.Bronze relief of Tilly AstonMatilda (Tilly) Aston 1873-1947 Founder of the Association for the Blind Generously donated by Malcolm & Beverley Daubney September 1997tilly aston, association for the blind, malcolm daubney

Cooking often requires skill and adaptation. In this kitchen, a woman with low vision removes a dish hot from the oven of an upright cooker. Dressed in a pinafore and oven gloves, she carefully maneouvres the dish outwards. Above her, a tea kettle sits on the hob, next to the sink. In the background, spice jars are lined up on the bench, each with a large written label on them. Woman is not named, but possibly Joy Kerr, who gave talks and wrote a book on cookery for people who are blind or vision impaired.royal blind society of nsw, education

Mat making was an essential part of many workshops staffed by blind or vision impaired employees since the 19th century. In Australia, it was a skill taught in along the eastern seaboard until the supply of cheaper mats from Asian sources rendered it financially non-viable as a source of employment. These examples were made in the RVIB workshops and demonstrate the variety that could be made, with a plain mat, one printed 'RVIB' in black on one side and in in reverse in various colours on the other, and the other with 'Welcome' on the front and 'Made by the blind' on the reverse.3 coir mats made by RVIB workersRVIB Made by the blindemployment, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Taylor Slate was developed by Rev. William Taylor in England in the mid 19th century it was in common use until the early 1970's and enabled blind or vision impaired students to do maths calculations by arranging metal pegs in the slate. The main part of the slate is a metal sheet with 432, 8 sided holes which small metal pegs are inserted. The pegs have different shapes on their ends. These are used to represent different numbers and symbols depending on the way the pegs are placed in the slate and which combinations of pegs are used.1 silver rectangular metal mathematical slate including tray braille equipment, education

Framed portrait of Elsie Henderson who was a tireless worker for the Association for the Blind. From 1934 until the 1960s Elsie Henderson worked at the Association for the Blind as a home visitor for women who were blind or vision impaired. Blind herself, Ms Henderson had 300 women on her visitation list and would visit three to four women daily. She wears a mid-blue jacket with a floral shirt, pearl necklace and her MBE attached to her jacket. This painting hung in the former Kooyong Day Centre until it was demolished in 1999.1 art original in frameelsie henderson, association for the blind

October 15, 1979 was the very first publicly proclaimed White Cane Day in Victoria. Announced by Premier Hamer, onlookers were invited to learn more about the various societies in Victoria that assisted the blind and vision impaired. Barry Humphries was the guest of honour, and spoke with a small group before venturing out with his own white cane to test out Melbourne’s wet streets. Caravans were set up along Swanston Street to distribute information. The RAAF Central band played and a square dance exhibition by The Lightfooters (a group ofvision impaired dancers) in Bourke Street. 12 B/W photographswhite cane day, raaf central band

"The Board, Tilly Aston Customer Council and Staff acknowledge and record for posterity the outstanding service given to blind and vision impaired people in Victoria. This exceptional contribution was made in a selfless and warmhearted manner and continues Vision Australia's tradition of caring and sharing. Inherent in the many attributes displayed were the admirable qualities of leadership, loyalty, consistency of purpose, and a great generosity of spirit. In recognition of this distinguished service we now pay tribute to and honour Neil and Elizabeth Maxwell in the presentation of the John Wilson Award on 6th October 2000." Signed by John Cook - Chief Executive Officer, ? Chairman, Tilly Aston Customer Council and Malcolm Daubney, President.1 white A3 page with blue border around edgevision australia foundation, neil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell

This dress belonged to Mrs Lillias Parker (nee Johnston, 1820-1904). Born in England, Lillias was married in London in 1844 to Samson Parker (c. 1820-1886). The couple lived in Bendigo, Victoria for much of their lives, with Samson first arriving around 1853 and establishing a business with Samuel Macord as tent makers and fruiterers. He later had a successful business as a hat and cap manufacturer and a sewing machine agent. Lillias' obituary suggests that she was one of the first women settlers to live in Bendigo and noted her reputation for philanthropy and her interest in the welfare of the blind and vision impaired, having herself experienced loss of sight many years before.Two piece day dress of mulberry figured silk. The dress comprises a separate bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The bodice fastens centre front with fabric covered shank buttons and has twelve bones encased along the interior seams and darts. Two piece fitted sleeve and high stand collar. Bodice is backed with a caramel coloured printed cotton. The skirt has a slight train and is backed with a caramel coloured twill-woven cotton. lillias parker, 1890s, bendigo, goldfields

The C2 Talking Compass is a miniature hand-held battery-operated eight-point compass with digitized voice output. At the top of the compass there is the speaker and the activation button. A three-position slide switch on the side is used to switch the compass off (central position) and select one of the two in-built languages or voices. The compass pronounces the eight compass points in clear digitised speech. It represents an excellent mobility tool for an active blind or vision-impaired person. Unobtrusive, light-weight and reliable, it augments it's user's orientation sense, and contributes to his or her safety and self-confidence. The compass relies on 2 x 12V batteries. Weight: 61 grams.1 semi-transparent light-blue oval shape compass with blue nylon, plaited wrist strapassistive devices, orientation and mobility

The Liquid 2 Level Sensor is an aid for people with vision impairment to fill cups and glasses with 2 levels of liquid. The unit simply hangs over the side of a cup or glass with the probes on the inside. Ideal for making a cup of tea or coffee with milk. Simply pour in your hot water stopping when a pulsating tone is heard. Pour in milk stopping when a continuous tone is heard. Your cup is now filled to approximately 15mm from the top and ready to drink. Can also be used as a single level sensor such as for non-mixed drinks. Handy magnets on the back of the unit allow for easy storage on fridge or other metal object.Yellow plastic round container with blue base and four yellow wiresassistive devices, equipment

37 pages of text with cardboard covernon-fictionBackground and overview of the establishment and work of the Association for the Blindassociation for the blind, association for the advancement of the blind

Paterson Hall Story is told through the reminiscences of 23 people who played an active part in the life of a popular recreational and entertainment hub from 1929 to 1999. They relate how a simple concrete structure in Glenferrie Road, Kooyong became a 'home away from home' for people who were blind or vision impaired, their families and friends. The hall was originally built as a clubhouse for blind cricketers in 1927, but by 1929 it had been extended to include a social hall and other facilities including a verandah where spectators could watch the cricket. Over the years the hall was used for activities as diverse as square dancing, singing, craft classes, ball games, art and craft shows, drama groups and annual meetings.60 MP3 sound files of oral history interviews and book excerptsNarrated by Maurice Lockie, Bill Charles and Norah Tooheypaterson hall, association for the advancement of the blind, victorian blind cricket association

Certificate reads "Certificate of Registration. RVIB Enterprises, 201 High Street, Prahran, VIC 3181 Australia complies with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems Requirements for the following capability: This registration covers the Quality Management System for the provision of case management, production, resources, and support services including education, course development and provision of training, rehabilitation, employment, technology, information and fundraising for people who are blind or vision impaired. The registration also includes the provision of commercial products and services through RVIB Enterprises." Signed: Alex Ezrakhovich, General Manager Certification. Certificate #: QEC12897/002. Issue Date: 1st April 2003. Certified Date: 29th December 1999. Expiry Date 19th March 2006.1 certificate with black writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, registration