The South African Library for the Blind (SALB) has distributed 3 500 Envoy Connect reading devices for free to blind and print-impaired community people in honour of Nelson Mandela Month.
Envoys Connect reading devices are one-of-a-kind and specially designed to cater to the needs of the blind community. They are available to any blind or print-impaired individuals who choose to join the Library. The Envoy Connect is the first accessible, solar-powered, small, lightweight, robust, and reasonably priced audiobook player in the world.
This music player's ease of use and tactile keyboard makes it perfect for anyone with low eyesight and blindness. An audiobook player has been proven to increase the reading and numeracy rates among blind people dramatically.
The SALB mini Libraries, which have at least 20 branches throughout the North West Province, continue to provide residents who are blind or visually impaired access to their public Library. They also allow them to socialise with other residents and occasionally participate in library programmes.
The South African Library for the Blind was founded in 1919 and has operated for over 100 years. According to its constitution, it is required to provide a free library and information service that is sensitive to the requirements of customers who are blind or have print disabilities.
The Library has a specific audience it caters to. Thus, it has a social responsibility to work independently and together to remove as many obstacles as possible to access information. It is committed to providing a quality service to meet, as fully as practically possible, the information needs of all South Africans who are blind or print handicapped.
In echoing this mandate, Public Relations and Communication Officer, Vusumzi Mkhetshane says, "It is very imperative to note that nowadays very few people and more especially young people take part in reading hence the SALB is aiming to promote extensive reading so that the future generation including the blind community that is our clients are not in danger of losing their history and rich culture of continuous reading".
Reading and writing braille is still vital to independence for many blind and partially sighted people worldwide. As digital assistive technology develops more rapidly than ever. There are still substantial benefits of being able to read and write in this revolutionary code for someone who has a visual impairment.
"The SALB is committed to providing a free library and information service that is accessible to cater for the needs of the blind and the print-handicapped users in the nine provinces country-wide. Let us celebrate Nelson Mandela Day this year by reflecting on the challenges and inequalities facing our people, especially the marginalised members of our society, including blind people.
"Work on solutions and do what we can to change the status qoy in our country," expressed the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Library for the Blind, Dr Pateka Ntshuntshe-Matshaya.
