Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. White box with 'Carols by Candlelight 1990' in blue lettering, with a Hungry Jacks logo in the centre. On the reverse side, also in blue lettering, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Carols by Candlelight 1990'.1 box of white headed matchesCarols by Candelight 1990 Hungry Jacks logocarols by candlelight, fundraising

A wooden coaster with the Carols by Candlelight logo of two candle adult shaped figures stand beside a smaller candle child shaped figure, with the words 'RVIB Carols by Candlelight' arching over the top of the figures and 'Qantas presents' above this.1 round wooden coaster with inscriptionQantas presents RVIB Carols by Candelightcarols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. On one side are three small images of a white flame against a circular purple background, with two red and one green flame hearths, and the words 'vision australia's carols by candlelight presented by MYER'. On the reverse side is white lettering on a green background with the words 'To donate call 1300 84 74 66 Proceeds from this event go to Vision Australia." Underneath this on a white background is the Channel 9 logo and 'telecast partner' in purple lettering. 2 box of green headed matchesVision Australia's Carols by Candelight presented by Myercarols by candlelight, fundraising

Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. On one side is a purple and white background and the words 'vision australia's carols by candlelight presented by MYER', beside a multi-coloured star and spot pattern. On the reverse side is purple lettering on a white background with the words 'Proceeds from this event go to Vision Australia. To donate call 1300 84 74 66". Underneath this is the Channel 9 logo and 'telecast partner' in purple lettering, beside the same multi-coloured star and spot pattern featured on the other side. 1 box of white headed matchesVision Australia's Carols by Candelight presented by Myercarols by candlelight, fundraising

A battery operated illuminating candle which lights up a small red flame when the red button is depressed. This candle was most likely sold at the Carols by Candlelight concert.1 plastic candle with lightcarols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. White box with blue lighthouse logo on one side, with the words in blue lettering 'Please Support', and on the reverse side in black lettering 'Happy Christmas to your Family' with the Coles Myer Ltd. logo in red and blue.1 box of red headed matchesPlease support Royal Victorian Institute for the Blindcarols by candlelight, fundraising

Metal candle holder with white candle given out as a souvenir of the 2000 Carols by Candlelight concert to official guests. The words 'RVIB Carols by Candlelight 2000' are engraved on the lid.1 silver plated candle holder with candleRVIB Carols by Candlelight 2000carols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

Carols by Candlelight pass attached to a purple Vision Australia lanyard. The pass is on a red background with musical notes and small flames in a lighter red tone, and the letters 'AAA' and 'No: 39'. A white background dominates the pass, and contains white flames with red or green flame hearths against a purple circular background, with one white musical note against a red circular background. 'vision australia's carols by candlelight' is beneath this, in purple (the first two words) and green lettering. 'presented by the city of melbourne' is below this in gray lettering with the City of Melbourne logo.1 laminated pass with Vision Australia purple lanyardcarols by candlelight, vision australia, fundraising

The Optacon OPtical-to-TActile-CONverter is a compact, portable reading aid for the blind. It is about the size of a textbook, and weighs less than 2kg. It works by converting a printed image into a tactile image that a blind person can feel with one finger. After a period of training and practice, a blind person can use the Optacon to read ordinary books, magazines, newspapers, and other printed materials. The Optacon was developed after intensive research at Standford University, California, USA and was trialed by clients of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (now part of Vision Australia) in 1973. It has three main sections: 1 a miniature camera, 2 an electronics section, and 3 a tactile stimulator array. The miniature camera, about the size of a pocket knife, is mounted in a housing that has rollers for easy movement along a line of print. The camera is connected to the electronics section by a lightweight cable. The electronics section and the tactile stimulator array are in the main chassis. The array consists of 144 tiny metal rods arranged in six vertical columns and 24 horizontal rows. Each of the rods can vibrate independently. The tips of these rods protrude through holes in a concave finger plate where the index finger is placed flat in order to read. These three components act together to convert the image of a printed letter or other shape into a pattern of vibrating rods, a tactile image of the letter or shape. The letter shape is tactually perceived as an image that moves from right to left on the finger, showing the left or leading edge of the letter first. Letters are felt sequentially rather than all at once, and the image should be kept moving. The Optacon converts a printed O into a tactile form that resembles a crater with a vibrating rim -- a completed circle. C would have a gap or opening on the right side of the curve. The letter F would be felt, sequentially, as a vertical line with two trailing horizontal lines. Because it can convert any ordinary printed image into a corresponding tactile image, the Optacon is not restricted to any special typestyle or language. The camera has a zoom lens that compensates for differences in the size of type. The standard Optacon lens can accommodate type sizes from 6 point to 20 point. With the optional F4A magnifier lens, type sizes as small as 4 point can be read. Powered by a rechargeable battery, and comes with its own battery charger. The battery is contained within the main chassis, and is not removable by the user. There are four basic controls on the Optacon: the Magnification Adjustment zoom button located on the camera section on the side opposite the rollers; and the On-Off switch, the Stimulator Intensity Adjustment knob, and the Threshold Adjustment knob located on the right side of the front panel. The Circuit Breaker protrudes from the right-hand wall inside the chassis compartment. From left to right when the back panel is facing you, are located: the jack for connecting the battery charger; the Battery Check button; the Normal-Invert switch; and the Input/Output I/O connector for use with the Visual Display, when using the Repeater Cable to connect two Optacons to one another or with other accessories. Designed not be removed from the leather case during normal operation, the On-Off switch is a slide switch located on the right side of the front panel. It slides up and snaps into place in the on position. 1 black with orange front, rectangular device in leather case assistive devices, audio equipment

The travel pass was used by NSW State Rail Authority to ascertain that the bearer was indeed a blind person and entitled to free travel. This example was numbered 4017 and was issued in the name of Mr N.L. Walker. It outlines what the named is authorised to obtain including 'Free Travel' which includes first or economy class, whichever is desired on State Rail Authority or Urban Transit Authority rail, bus and ferry services (except Hydrofoil) for journeys wholly within the stipulated N.S.W. areas and on Australian Government bus services in Canberra and also outlines details for 'Concession Travel'. 1 rectangular travel pass with blue cloth cover and black text On the cover of this Travel pass it states; 'N.S.W. Transport Authorities Blind Person's Permit, Including Attendant, Expires 30th June, 1982'. royal blind society of nsw, nsw state rail authority

A set of 70 (incomplete as full set believed to be 85 cards) black and white and colour stereoscopic charts, divided into series Includes geometric, pictorial and photographic examples of charts and Schlechteres Auge test. An instructional leaflet is also included. These featured images thought to strengthen the eye muscles.1 rectangular fawn cardboard box sleeve which contains specially printed cards with pictures and text6th editionequipment, emil hegg

The sewing palm was used by visually impaired workers in the mat making workshop at the Royal Victorian for the Blind Institute during the binding of mats to protect their palms from the 17cm-long curved mat making needle.1 leather folded band with indented metal square attached and leather lacing fastening at back assistive devices, employment

A hollow wooden box with an 8 pointed hole cut in top. A wooden block fits into the hole. The block is rectangular and one end has a straight bar along one side, the other end has two pointed parts on one side. There are no accompanying instructions.1 square light brown wooden box with block inserted assistive devices, education aids and devices

The Apple IIe was one of the first computers to become popular among blind and vision-impaired users due to its Textalker screen reader and Echo II synthesizer.Beige plastic CPU and keyboard audio equipment, assistive devices

A brief history of White Cane day outlining the use of the white cane in the United States and Australia.1 page typed sheet of informationwhite cane day, advertising

A leaflet produced to raise awareness of white canes. On the front a man's hand holds a white cane. Inside the leaflet reads "Bear in mind the white cane is a symbol of the visually handicapped" and was produced by the White Cane Committee, 247 Vulture Street, South Brisbane, Q, 4101.1 page with illustration of white caneIllustration of a hand holding a white cane on the front pagewhite cane day, advertising

At the top of the page is a shield with a fruit tree inside it and the words 'Founded 1804' and 'Incorporated by Royal Charter 1809'. The certificate reads as follows: The Royal Horticultural Society Certificate of International Registration This is to certify that Rhododendron 'Tilly Aston' 'Apricot Gold' x 'Lem's Cameo' was officially registered by Olinda Nurseries, PO Box 55, Olinda Victoria with the Royal Horticultural Society acting as International Registration Authority for the genus Rhododendron Registrar (signed) Alan C Leslie Date 31st December 19961 cream page with maroon border and gold scrollingassociation for the blind, awards

A certificate from Community Services Victoria to the volunteers at the RVIB Burwood school. It reads "Awarded for all Volunteer Workers at R.V.I.B. Burwood in recognition of their highly valued contribution to community services in the Inner East Region." Signed by the Chair of the Inner East Regional Advisory Council, Mark Longmuir and Minister, Community Services Victoria, Kay Setches, dated 10th April 1992.1 A4 sized certificate of appreciationrvib burwood school, awards

Certificate reads "Awarded to Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Ltd in recognition of their valuable contribution towards The Inaugural World Championships for Vision Impaired Tenpin Bowling, Helsinki Finland in June 2002." Signed by Hazel Hockling, dated 27th April 2002.1 certificate with colour printingImage of a black bowling ball striking two white pins is located in the bottom left hand corner.royal victorian institute for the blind, recreation