The Feelix library was developed to help children who were blind or have low vision experience the connection with books via tactile objects. Each print book was hand selected, a clear Braille overlay placed on the pages, and items relating to the story were made or purchased and added to the kit. The kit (book and objects) was held inside a cardboard suitcase and sent through the mail in a bright orange, zippered plastic padded pouch with a carry strap. On August 22, 2007 Feelix staff organised an activity to supplement the book "We're going on a bear hunt" by Michael Rosen. First the book was read, then the young children (and their parents) replicated the actions of the book's characters in their search for a Bear who followed them home for morning tea. Later that day, Burwood School children also joined in on their own Bear Hunt.70 digital images of staff and children during the Bear Huntroyal victorian institute for the blind, feelix, rvib burwood school, louise curtin, ed gamble

Pictures taken at RVIB Burwood School of staff members for their badge identification.47 digital images of staff at RVIB Burwood, including 1 low resroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school, sue coull, garry stinchcombe, sandie mackevicius, ulli pfisterer, rachel grealy

Pictures taken at RVIB 201 High Street building of Assist, RVIB Enterprises and Training and Technology staff members for their badge identification.114 digital images of staff at RVIB Burwood, mostly in low resolutionroyal victorian institute for the blind, steve beashel, daryl barnett, phil boyd, geoff crawford, adrian smith, alan berginc, annie cooper, anton rich, chris maskell, david weatley, don hoy, ernie dos santos, frank bauer, gena kacowicz, geoff paterson, geoff ralph, glen petrie, greg slorach, greg washington, jim doherty, jimmy nason, john martin, john nettelbeck, karen hope, keith weller, ken mcdonald, lisa watson, martin stewart, jim pipczak, mary pipczak, michael royals, norm richards, norm shepherdson, peter krnel, ray dunn, ray xhaferi, richard pryztula, robert toseland, roger poulter, terry lord, alan kelly, alan fowler, andrea cook, andrew white, anita sun, barbara cameron, brett shelton, brian gear, bruce loring, chris edwards, christine harvie, dale moore, david horsfall, elisa moralis, faye baxter, glen hobby, glen morrow, jeremy childs, jeremy king, kate stephens, kathryn cooke, katy shuttleworth, ken baker, lloyd smith, margaret kelly, michael williams, michael doherty, natasha brake, neil gillies, neil mathieson, nick allan, ranmali ratnachandra, rhonda patman, rob glenowski, robyn mckenzie, rod stewart, sean tyrell, steve lock, stewart hose, terri cameron, thavee lees, thong nguyen, damien mccormack, elaine brock, vince september

As a way of increasing communication between opthalmologists and RVIB, a newsletter was developed the services and support that the RVIB delivered. 1 v. of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, newsletters

Produced to help the RVIB connect with donors and supporters, the RVIB news provided a brief summary of programs, activities and celebrations at RVIB. Individual client stories were included, as well as the impact various initiatives had on the lives of clients. Produced irregularly.1 v. in various pagingsroyal victorian institute for the blind, newsletters

The Ocean Grove RVIB Auxiliary formed on July 31, 1944. This collection of papers includes the minute books from 1944 until 2002 and printed minutes from 2002 to the conclusion of the Auxiliiary in 2004. The papers include newspaper clippings, correspondence, secretary and annual reports, 1999-2005 syllabus (list of events), lists of office bearers and balance sheets. A signboard for the Auxiliary's kiosk in 1951, a poem from the last President Dot Whitehead and the acknowledgement letter from RVIB regarding the Auxiliary's final donation and decision to conclude are also here. The index cards were maintained by RVIB and contain the amount of donations made by the Auxiliary between 1976-1995, as well as the presentations delivered by RVIB employees to Auxiliary meetings between 1973-1985.6 minute books -- 1 receipts book -- 2 index cards -- various loose papers -- signboard -- receipts & expenditure book -- certificate.royal victorian institute for the blind, auxiliaries, ocean grove

The Benalla RVIB Auxiliary was formed on December 14, 1931 by Mr. Birtchnell. This small collection of papers includes the minute books from 1931 until 2007. 4 minute books -- various loose papers and lettersroyal victorian institute for the blind, auxiliaries

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

Confidential report from Frank Y Turley about the multi-handicapped unit at RVIB Burwood school, including rationale for its establishment and some guidelines about enrolment.2 type written sheets with no letterheadroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school, frank turley

A detailed memo from Frank Y Turley about the multi-handicapped unit at RVIB Burwood school, including rationale for its establishment and some guidelines about enrolment.3 type written sheets with no letterheadroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school, frank turley

A historical overview of the first 60 years of the RVIB, and some of the people and intentions behind it.2 page foreward and 17 page historyroyal victorian institute for the blind, c.h. nipper

In 2007, Vision Australia sold it's iconic 557-563 St Kilda Road site. The historic bluestone building was in need of renovation and repair, had limited space for staff and clients and with more demand for services in suburban and regional areas, did not meet the needs of the national organisation. The purchaser was mainly interested in the Ormond Hall section, which they sub-divided off and sold to the tenant of the Belgian Beer Cafe. The remainder of the site was then sold on to another developer. Unable to quickly proceed with their plans on developing the site for residential buildings, the site fell into some disrepair in the interim which was when these images were taken. Later the site was sold again and residential buildings now occupy part of the block. 20 images taken of and from St Kilda Road buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, buildings, myer house, ferguson and urie

Photos of the VAF/RVIB office at Horsham in May 2005 taken by Janet Robins.1 CD with 12 imagesroyal victorian institute for the blind, horsham

This wooden board, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure when transcribing. The metal hinge held paper on the board, and a row of holes either side of the board held a frame in place, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page.1 wooden back board with metal hingeRVIB logo and name attached to board, partially hidden by hingebraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Wooden braille board with wooden header, hinged with brass hinges and small pins to clamp the paper to the board. Metal frames on each side hold a rod across the front of the board. The rod is fixed to two moveable parts which can go up or down the board as required.1 wooden back board with metal flanges either sideroyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

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 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

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

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

Various letters written to Mrs P Amery of 11 Maury Road, Chelsea during her role as the Honorary Secretary for the Chelsea RVIB Auxiliary. Correspondence between Head Office and the Auxiliaries (who provided a lifeline of donations) was a crucial way to maintaining a good relationship, providing support and acknowledgement for the hard work undertaken by volunteers. A summary of these letters is listed below: 1939 - Appreciation for holding the role as Honorary Secretary. 1941 - Congratulations on appointment as secretary to the RVIB Chelsea Auxiliary. 1944 - Congratulations on re-election as Honorary Secretary 1952 - Acknowledgement of unselfish and valued service upon her retirement of the Secretary role. 1954 - Acknowledgement of service upon her retirement on behalf of the President and Committee members of the Chelsea auxiliary5 letters from the RVIB to Mrs P AmeryVarious illustrations based upon the letterhead used at the timeroyal victorian institute for the blind, p. amery, auxiliaries

Letter offering congratulations and future success to the RVIB on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne on the occasion of the RVIB's 125th anniversary in 1991. Signed by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Richard Wynne.1 letter from the Melbourne Lord MayorSeal of the Lord Mayor Melbourne, with two ribbons, is affixed to the bottom right hand corner The Crest of the Melbourne Lord Mayor's Office in the top centre of the page.royal victorian institute for the blind, richard wynne