Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
EDUCATION should be inclusive and to promote that, the Disability Arts and Culture Project Zimbabwe (DACPZW) is calling on children’s book writers to join forces and adapt their stories into braille format.
The deadline for application is on March 16 where interested authors are required to submit a short pitch or sample of their story to [email protected] for adjudication.
This innovative project titled, “Empowerment Through Braille: Enhancing Literacy and Accessibility for the visually Impaired,” seeks to provide visually impaired children with access to literary works that inspire, educate, and empower young minds.
According to Project Manager, Lungile Dube, the initiative aims to promote braille literacy and accessibility through targeted awareness campaigns, book writing workshops, and the distribution of braille material.
“We are calling for interested authors – both published and unpublished – to participate with us in this mission to bring the joy of storytelling to visually impaired children,” Dube said.
The project, implemented in conjunction with the Bulawayo Public Library and funded by The Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe and the European Union, recognises the importance of braille in ensuring equal access to education and everyday life for visually impaired individuals.
“Investment in Braille is a fundamental tool for literacy, independence, and employability,” she emphasised.
The main objectives of the project include encouraging the production and dissemination of literary works in accessible and affordable formats, increasing public awareness about the importance of braille, and advocating for policies that support braille accessibility.
The project aims to publish and distribute 10 000 copies of different works every calendar year, addressing the shortage of literary works and improving literacy.
DACPZW and its partners acknowledge that developing an efficient library service for print-disabled people is crucial, given the limited availability of books in accessible formats.
The project seeks to build collections in alternative formats and make them available for readers who are unable to browse shelves.
As the project unfolds, DACPZW anticipates noticeable improvements, including an infrastructure that enables visually impaired persons to access a wider range of content in braille and other formats, improved access to literary material, and the adoption of alternative formats by authors and publishers.
The call to children’s book writers is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of visually impaired children.
By adapting stories into braille format, writers can help bridge the gap in accessibility and provide young readers with the chance to experience the joy of storytelling.
As Dube aptly put it, “Visually impaired people have the same information needs as sighted people.”
By joining forces with DACPZW, children’s book writers can help ensure that visually impaired children have access to relevant information in their chosen accessible format.
The project is also appealing to other stakeholders, including corporates and non-state actors, to partner with them in mobilising resources towards the distribution of 10 000 braille books per year.
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