In this example, nineteen 33-speed gramophone records are needed for a single title. Labelled with His Master's Voice, and recorded solely for the use of the blind by the Sound Recording Committee by Arthur Bush, they were dispatched via post to members who were in possession of commercial record players. Australian blindness agencies were purchasing overseas titles to expand their libraries for a growing number of users.19 vinyl records :12 in., 33-speed ;in paper sleeves, Reference number JG5433-JG5451audio books, royal national institute for the blind

Black box containing a Matrix Braille writing machine, with a paper spool attached to the feeding mechanism. The front portion of box is hinged and lifts up to reveal keyboard. Top half of box lifts to reveal Braille writer which is bolted to a wooden base that can be lifted out. The base is secured with a metal latch. Machine has black keys and the wooden case has black leather-like covering, hinged lid, metal clasps, and leather handle on the side. "Model G, Matrix, Coventry Gauge & Tool Company, Ltd., No. 792, For The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London W.I." is stamped on the front,Black vinyl-covered case containing black metal writer and paper spool"Model G, Matrix, Coventry Gauge & Tool Company, Ltd., No. 792, For The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London W.I." is stamped on the front.braille equipment, royal national institute for the blind

Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their Shorthand Braille Writer, circa 1910-1940. Used at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. These machines were often supplied with a case, to deaden the sound when in use. The machine was designed to take down verbatim reports from dictation. As the strip of paper passes automatically through the machine, no time is needed to adjust the paper or the machine for each line. Speeds of 80 - 140 words per minute can be obtained.Black metal typewriter which has seven keys and a small reel of paper415 Stainsby-Wayne Embossed Shorthand Typewriter Patented * Alfred Wayne * Birm, ENGbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

To honour 15 years of service provided, a bronze coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '15 Year Award'. On the back of some awards is a printed panel: 'Tilly Aston, at the age of 21 years and herself blind, founded the Association for the Blind in 1895. Visionary, administrator, teacher and poet, Miss Aston brought together sighted and blind people in a partnership of action to improve the lives of blind people. This award recognises the continuing accord and tradition of friendship and selfless service which she initiated.'1 maroon wooden stand with bronze tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations15 Years Awardvision australia foundation, awards, john wicking

To honour 35 years of service provided, a bronze coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '35 Yeard Award'. On the back is a panel: 'Presented to John Wicking, 39 Years Volunteer Service, Board Member 18 years, President 12 years.' 'Elizabeth Maxwell 2004' 'Neil Maxwell OAM 2004' 1 maroon wooden stand with bronze tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations35 Years Award Back: Presented to John Wicking, 39 Years Volunteer Service, Board Member 18 years, President 12 years. Back: Elizabeth Maxwell 2004 Back: Neil Maxwell OAM 2004vision australia foundation, awards, john wicking, neil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell

To honour 25 years of service provided, a silver coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman (Tilly Aston) wearing a pendant and an old-fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '25 Year Award'.1 maroon wooden stand with silver tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations25 Years Awardvision australia foundation, awards

This map was produced by Richard Francis Tunley and given to the Victorian Braille Library for use by it's patrons. Mr Tunley was a prolific Braille map maker as well as producing other items for blind and vision impaired children, advocated for compulsory education for blind and deaf children and established the Queensland Braille Map and Model Club. Leading by example, his maps were treasured by those who used them and were an outstanding piece of craftsmanship. In this example, the metal cylinder sits on a wooden base and can be turned via a handle in the wooden top or rotating the sides. A brailled red metal plate occupies the bottom third, and large continents have a metal plate, cut to shape, upon which braille country/continent names are placed. Major rivers are traced through raised lines in the metal continental plates, twisted wire traces shipping routes with associated brailled metal plates, raised metal pins in some major locations and more explanatory plates sit in various oceans.1 metal cylindrical map with tactile markersCommercial & Strategic Map of the British Empire Presented to the Victorian Braille Librarybraille library of victoria, r.f. tunley

To honour 15 years of service, a gold coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Association for the Blind Ltd. Tilly Aston Medal' and below this '15 Year Honorary Service'. On the back of some awards is a printed panel: 'Tilly Aston, at the age of 21 years and herself blind, founded the Association for the Blind in 1895. Visionary, administrator, teacher and poet, Miss Aston brought together sighted and blind people in a partnership of action to improve the lives of blind people. This award recognises the continuing accord and tradition of friendship and selfless service which she initiated.'1 blonde wooden stand with gold tone inlaid medallionJohn O. Wicking, Presented 17.9.93 Mardi McCann 18.5.2000 Neil Maxwell 27.02.98 Elizabeth Maxwell Presented 16.10.92association for the blind, awards, john wicking, mardi mccann, neil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell

To honour 35 years of service provided, a bronze coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '35 Year Award'. 1 maroon wooden stand with bronze tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations35 Years Awardvision australia foundation, awards

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two side hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and four lines of Braille could be written.1 metal Braille frame with four lines of Braille windowsPerkins Model 140 RVIB sticker has been attached to the back of the framebraille equipment, assistive devices

To assist with blind and visually impaired people signing documents, a signature guide creates a rectangular block of space that fits most signature areas on paper. This example was produced by RNIB and provides directions on usage.1 plastic plate with rectangle holeSignature Guide Cat No. 9020 Have window placed over signature space hold card firmly in place with your hand write your signature within the opening of the windowassistive devices, royal national institute for the blind

To assist with blind and visually impaired people signing documents, a signature guide creates a rectangular block of space that fits most signature areas on paper. This example was produced by ANZ Bank to fit over cheque books provided to customers. It has space for the date, whom the cheque was for, the written amount and the amount in symbols, and the cheque stub, as well as the signature.1 plastic plate with rectangle holeANZ Guidanz cardassistive devices, anz bank

To assist with blind and visually impaired people signing documents, a signature guide creates a rectangular block of space that fits most signature areas on paper. This is a generic example and requires that the plate is held with one hand, whilst signing.1 metal plate with rectangle holeassistive devices, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Jot a Dot Pocket Brailler is a portable, manual Braille writer designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This small, lightweight brailler has six keys for Braille entry. The keys have high contrast colors for identification by users with low vision. Braille is written from the left hand side of the page to the right, with 20 cells of braille per line. The user can read Braille as it is written by turning the unit over. A built-in reading stand keeps the unit stable when resting on hard surfaces. Tactile line and cell indicators show the current location on the page. The line indicator shows which line is being Brailled, and the cell indicator shows the position of the embossing head on the line. By turning the device over, the user can read the Braille as they write it. This Brailler uses standard photocopy paper in A5 and A6 paper sizes. The unit is constructed in one piece, so there are no parts that can be lost. 1 rectangular blue Braille unit with 6 bright green keys Yellow sticker LN017a on front. On back Jot a Dot F07077 sponsored by Guide Dogs. braille equipment, assistive devices

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of Vulcanite (according to the RNIB Illustrated Catalogue of Apparatus and Games, 1968), and the metal tip can be shielded by rotating the rounded section near the tip, which loosens and drops down.1 stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of boxwood (according to the RNIB Illustrated Catalogue of Apparatus and Games, 1968), and is the standard model.1 wooden stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. However sometimes mistakes were made and rather than re-emboss the whole page, a Braille eraser was sometimes used by flattening out indentation on card, one dot at a time.1 wooden piece with blunted tipbraille equipment, association for the blind

Testing of eye conditions requires the services of eye specialists, who often had to travel around a wide area. This kit is incomplete, but demonstrates how optometrists needed a wide variety of instruments to diagnose sight conditions. Although incomplete, it also contains a booklet for the Standard Testing Set 1H-1 produced by the same company (Keeler) and briefly describes some of the instruments in the case.1 maroon case with two blue velour inserts'Note this side up' in Dymo tape on outside.assessments, keeler optical products

David Leslie Palmer was first a student (1892-1903) then a teacher of violin (1904-1912) before becoming musical director (1912-1944) at RVIB. Under his leadership, the RVIB orchestra grew into a popular band that travelled around Victoria and was in demand at concerts and balls.2 metal plates with dark brown background and gold edging and raised letters on one and gold edging and braille on the other.D.L. Palmer Musical Director 1912-1944 Fullness of Life Thru Musicroyal victorian institute for the blind, david palmer, nameplates

Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of plastic and it has a metal tip.1 plastic stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Prior to the idea of canes being painted white in the 1930's, vision impaired people used canes of various colours and styles to assist them. This walking stick is engraved with the initials 'GC' and would have been an expensive item given the ornate metal topper. The wood is in good condition and looks little used, particularly given the lack of a protective tip at the base.Wooden walking stick with ornate metal topperThe letters 'GC' are engraved into a metal plate on the head of the stick.assistive devices, orientation and mobility, white cane

Wooden walking cane believed to have been owned and used by Tom Marks, one of the founding members for the Association for the Advancement of the Blind. He became President in 1900 and served again in the post from 1935 to 1937. Mr Marks's ability to network provided the Association with funds and advice for many years, and he was also fulfilled the position of Secretary for 23 years (1904-1927). This polished wooden walking stick is an example of how canes were not always painted white and could be utilised as both a navigational and support device.Wooden walking stick with black rubber tiptom marks, assistive devices, white cane

Another example of a painted white cane, made from a tree branch stripped of lateral buds, but with a metal tip indicating its primary use as a navigation device rather than a support stick.Wooden white cane with crooked handle with metal tipassistive devices, white caned

A wooden device that appears to have been used in a workshop. This device has a rotating pointer, hence it may have been used for balancing, measuring or alignment at the RVIB workshop.1 wooden board with metal attachmentassistive devices, royal victorian institute for the blind

This kit was designed to help children understand about Braille through a series of activities and exercises. It consisted of 2 books and a plastic ruler (which is missing). Learn about Braille book - which provided a brief history of Braille, how it is used, alphabet, numbers and introduction to Grade 2. The Bee Book - a print Braille book where children can feel the words and the diagrams.1 plastic case with 2 booksLearn about Braille kit RVIB logo Image of Bee Braille (printed)royal victorian institute for the blind, education

Saw used in the RVIB workshop. It has wide teeth on one edge and narrower teeth on the opposite side of the blade. The handle is made of resin with three rivets holding the handle to the blade.1 metal saw with wooden handle and dual bladesroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

In 1964 the first White Cane Safety Day was proclaimed in the United States, to recognise the white cane as a method of independence for blind people and increase awareness by motorists to pay extra consideration to white cane users. Since then the recognition of White Cane Day has spread around the world including Asia, Africa and Europe. In Australia, Queensland was the first state to celebrate White Cane Day in 1978, followed by Victoria in 1979.Typewritten letter in brown frameOn the back: This proclamation of October 15, each year, as White Cane Day throughout the State of Victoria, was made by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable R.J. Hamer as the result of a deputation by blind people from the Association for the Blind on Thursday October 12th, 1978.rupert hamer, association for the blind, white cane day

This wooden board has hinged flap to allow paper to be inserted, and two tacks under on the lower part secure the paper. The top flap is then closed and a metal clasp holds it firmly in place. A row of holes either side of the board, allow for a hand frame to be attached, to guide the writer in maintaining straightness when transcribing.Wooden rectangular Braille hand frame with holes evenly spaced and built in hinged paper clamp. Pivoted metal Braille guide with two rows of Braille, each 25 cells long. 'Armitage memorial' pressed into framebraille equipment, association for the blind

In 1995, the Association for the Blind celebrated it's centenary with the release of a bronze coloured medallion that was available for purchase. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Tilly Aston' and '1873-1947' . On the reverse is brailled 'They're sowing the tiny seeds of action!' on the outer rim and in the middle is the figure '100' with a small spray of laurel each side. Beneath this are the words 'Association for the Blind Centenary 1995'. The medallion is inset to a blue velour box, with a white lining on the lid and a round circle in gold with 'Association for the Blind Centenary', '100' and '1895-1995'. A small yellow paper leaflet briefly describes the setting up of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind by Tilly Aston. Bronze coloured medallion with illustrations, in box with accompanying leafletBox - Association for the Blind centenary, 100, 1895-1995association for the blind, tilly aston

To honour the service provided, a bronze coloured medallion was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Association for the Blind Medallion / Founder Tilly Aston'. On the reverse is 'Presented to' with a spray of laurel around the edge. The medallion hangs on a blue fabric band that goes around the neck. Bronze coloured medallion with illustrationsassociation for the blind, awards, medals