On July 27, 2006 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Vision Australia and Blind Citizens Australia. 31 digital images of signing a MOU between Vision Australia and BCAvision australia, blind citizens australia, gerard menses, kevin murfitt, owen van der wall, robyn gaile, nadia mattiazzo, michael simpson

The Stainsby Braillewriter was utilised by Braille tutors and volunteers as well the blind and visually impaired. Stored in a brown cardboard lockable case and this complete kit consists of a metal Braille writing machine; a long slim rectangular device with carriage and six silver keys and a bell, a metal board to attach Braille writer, a metal hinged Braille paper clamp and an instructional booklet. 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 portable brailler writer around 1903. An "improved" version, featuring aluminum parts and a paper clamp allowing accurate interpointing or interlining, was announced in "Outlook for the Blind" as early as 1927 and available generally by 1933 in the RNIB catalog. By 1978, RNIB sold the Improved Stainsby in a number of formats, including a large version available with interlining and inter-pointing board, and a small version with a folding board. Both large and small models came in ordinary and reverse keyed versions. Silver Brailler, rectangular with six silver keys and a bell, with paper board and clip, in cardboard suitcaseM8839 M88 (Brailler) M 8839 (Board) On the outside of the suitcase an address label reads "Braille Library, 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra". braille equipment, assistive devices

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.Contained in a dark blue case which folds down to reveal the keys, this portable Braille writer has six flat keys in front and a space key, attached to a marking device at the back. A roll of thin white paper is mounted on an attachment to the side of the machine, and the paper is threaded along a channel at the top of the machine and comes out the other side in a continuous roll. A red round rubber guard is just behind the keys. Royal National Institute for the Blind label attached.braille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. Sometimes the board was labelled with organisational labels. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers was attached, which included the costs of being a transcribing member and the length of the loan period. It is signed by Millicent Ritchie (Hon. Secretary) and Minnie H Crabb (Asst Sec and Librarian) at the base of the sheet.Brown rectangular wooden board with hinged paper clamp and metal hinged guideFree Lending Library for the Blind label is attached to boardbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

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

Letter to an unidentified Life Member asking for assistance in organising fundraising events to support Special Blind Appeal. The letter continues on to a second page, however this is missing. This is an example of a joint appeal between the RVIB and the AAFB, who usually preferred to work independently.1 photocopied letter with illustrations at topTop left hand corner is a lighthouse with the words 'Education and Maintenance of Blind Children, Industrial Professional Training Etc of Blind Adults, Homes Etc for Aged and Infirm Blind' written on the tower. The light that shines towards a female child and an adult male who are both wearing blindfolds, contains the wording 'Special 50,000 (pound) appeal for the Blind Children & Adults of Victoria". To immediate left of the people is written "Blind/and seeking the light/your generous donation will help them find it'. To the right of the rocks upon the which the lighthouse stands "Kindly address donations Hon. Treas. of Blind Appeal, The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Cr. Harold Luxton M.L.A., Town Hall, Melbourne". Underneath the lighthouse against the left edge of the paper "Institutes participating in this appeal - The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind - these organisations care for the blind of Victoria from the cradle to the grave. Please address all correspondence S.W,. Hedger, Secretary Blind Appeal, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road, Prahran, S.1. Vic, Phone W 6500. Blind Appeal Enquiry Office: Nicholas Building, 5th Floor Swanston Street, Melbourne, Phone F 6418."royal victorian institute for the blind, association for the advancement of the blind, fundraising

243 pages with illustrationsnon-fictionMemoir of blind activist and poet, Tilly Aston.tilly aston, association for the advancement of the blind

A black and white map of Victoria showing the railway lines where mail is transported and the individual towns listed next to the dot that provides location of such. Underneath is written "Map of Victoria showing the localities beyond the suburbs of Melbourne to which library books are sent to blind members. Books are carried over the railways FREE there is no charge to the readers." Through the work of Tilly Aston, braille postage was provided free by the Victorian Railways which greatly assisted the Braille Library in reaching members who resided outside of Melbourne. This map was produced to show the extent of the work by the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and the need for reading materials across the state.Paper of Victorian railway lines mounted in framevictorian association of braille writers, marketing

President's overview of the year including: difficulties in securing funds from estates who use wording other than specified by the association, opening of an office in Geelong, return of Michelle Noyce in the Queensland office, competition for donated dollars, role of Phyllis Gration in passing law that assistance dogs should not be excluded from transport or public place, holiday at Seamist in Otways for Swish Club and various staff members and their families, visits from Bill Thornton (Canada) and Alan Brookes (Int. Federation of Guide Dog Assoc. for the Blind), information on how the program works, appeal for volunteers and opportunities for speaking engagements, and profile of Phyllis Gration.1 volume with text and illustrationsannual reports, lady nell seeing eye dog school, phyllis gration

Founded by T.R Armitage MD in 1868, the British and Foreign Blind Association was the forerunner of the Royal National Institute for the Blind and provided transcription courses to those wishing to become proficient in Braille. Under the patronage of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, this certificate was awarded to "Miss Minnie H Crabb having satisfied the Examiner of the British & Foreign Blind Association in Braille Writing Examination in Grade II is hereby awarded the Certificate of the Association." Signed by A.H. Henry, Examiner and Edwin Easton, Secretary and awarded on 25th September 1908. Cream page with red seal in bottom left hand cornerRed seal reads: The British & Foreign Blind Association. Founded 1858. Incorporated 1902. A picture is located within the seal but this is not discerniblevictorian association of braille writers, minnie crabb

To recognise the achievements of those who undertook and completed a transcription course, this certificate was awarded to "a duly qualified Braille writer", by the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales, incorporating the Braille Writers Association of NSW. These volunteers were involved in the expansion of the library as they created Braille from the print version of texts. 27/5/1954 - Iris E. Brangwin, President: A. Maxwell, Hon. Secretary: Paul A Cullen.White page with black writing and profile of Louis Brailleroyal blind society of nsw, iris brangwin, braille writers association of new south wales

Acknowledgements were given for the receipt of volumes transcribed by volunteers. In this set of cards, Mrs Brangwin is acknowledged for multiple volumes of various books in the 1950s.White index card with pre-printed fields and spaces for handwritten itemsImage of Braille punch in top left hand corner in a circle. Braille Library William Street Sydney Dear ...... Thank you for Volume ...... of ................ This will be bound and added to the library of the Royal Blind Society of N.S.W. We are grateful for your continued interest in our work. Yours sincerely, President Braille Writers Association of N.S.W.iris brangwin, braille writers association of new south wales