Wear dots … raise lots

RNIB We're the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and we're here for everyone affected by sight loss. Our practical and emotional support can help blind and partially sighted people face the future with confidence. You could ask pupils: What is a charity? Why do we need/have charities? What different kinds of charities can they think of?

What does RNIB do for blind and partially sighted people? We stop people losing their sight unnecessarily We support blind and partially sighted people to live independently We create an inclusive society This photo shows a hand-held video magnifier which can help people to read books by greatly enlarging the text

True or false? All blind people see nothing at all. Blind people have special gifts with their other senses. Eating carrots will improve your vision. Sitting close to the TV will harm your eyes. It is safe to look at the sun if you wear dark glasses. You can wear your eyes out by using them too much. All people with a visual impairment wear glasses. When you are talking to someone who is blind, it’s polite to avoid using terms like "see you later." Blind people can watch TV. Answers and accompanying information can be found in the ‘Quiz Answers’ sheet in the “Read for RNIB” pack.

True or false? All blind people see nothing at all. False Blind people have special gifts with their other senses. False Eating carrots will improve your vision. False Sitting close to the TV will harm your eyes. False It is safe to look at the sun if you wear dark glasses. False You can wear your eyes out by using them too much. False All people with a visual impairment wear glasses. False When you are talking to someone who is blind, it’s polite to avoid using terms like "see you later." False Blind people can watch TV. True Answers and accompanying information can be found in the ‘Quiz Answers’ sheet in the “Read for RNIB” pack.

Blind Partially sighted Definitions Can you match the correct definition to the term? Blind When a person has moderate sight loss that cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses. Partially sighted Where the level of sight loss is so severe that activities that rely on eyesight become impossible. You could ask pupils to come up with a definition before showing them any. Blind = Where the level of sight loss is so severe that activities that rely on eyesight become impossible. Partially sighted = When a person has moderate sight loss that cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses. You might want to introduce here some of the statistics about sight loss found on the RNIB website.

Blind Partially sighted Definitions Can you match the correct definition to the term? Blind When a person has moderate sight loss that cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses. Partially sighted Where the level of sight loss is so severe that activities that rely on eyesight become impossible. You could ask pupils to come up with a definition before showing them any. Blind = Where the level of sight loss is so severe that activities that rely on eyesight become impossible. Partially sighted = When a person has moderate sight loss that cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses. You might want to introduce here some of the statistics about sight loss found on the RNIB website.

Wear dots … raise lots Watch our film at rrnib.org.uk/weardots/schools If the video doesn’t play directly from the presentation you can find the clip on the RNIB website – http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/readforrnibday/schoolsfundraising/Pages/schools-fundraising.aspx Two children talk about their experience of reading with site loss and the support they have received from RNIB. You may want to ask pupils to discuss their experience of reading, do they have anything in common with the children in the film?

The importance of reading What connects these pictures? Pill bottle photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/3186108732/ Ingredients photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/judybaxter/8155091/ Danger sign photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5232001282/ Instructions photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superamit/2838702582/ You need to be able to read in all of those situations in order to avoid coming to harm or making a mistake that could harm others.

The importance of reading What connects these pictures? You need to be able to read in all of these situations in order to avoid coming to harm or making a mistake that could harm others. Pill bottle photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/3186108732/ Ingredients photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/judybaxter/8155091/ Danger sign photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5232001282/ Instructions photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superamit/2838702582/ You need to be able to read in all of those situations in order to avoid coming to harm or making a mistake that could harm others.

Louis Braille Do you know what this man is famous for? His invention has benefited millions of people around the world. http://www.rnib.org.uk/aboutus/aboutsightloss/famous/Pages/louisbraille.aspx You could read the story of Louis Braille, included with the resources on Braille available on our website.

Braille Braille is the alphabet and numbers, designed to be read by fingers rather than eyes. Braille is a system of raised dots that blind people can read. Braille is read by touch, using your fingers to feel the letters and symbols. http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/reading/how/braille/braille/Pages/what_is_braille.aspx Each letter of the alphabet, punctuation mark or number has its own special symbol or symbols. Each symbol is made by arranging raised dots within a six-dot braille cell.

The braille alphabet You could use this slide if pupils are ‘translating’ words or sentences into braille in the classroom.

Reflection Do I know anyone with sight loss? What is their life like? What questions would you ask a person with sight loss? What about other disabilities? Can you think of anyone you know who has one? What support do they need? Where have I seen support for people with disabilities in school or the local community? What else would you like to know about sight loss and RNIB? Pupils could think about these individually or discuss them in pairs.

Wear dots… raise lots Help us be there for blind and partially sighted people and help them face the future with confidence.. This year, join in wear dots… raising lots! Visit rnib.org.uk/weardots If you are planning on fundraising for RNIB you can find ideas for a “Read for RNIB Day” event in the pdf that accompanies this presentation and more information on our website.

You can find more information about RNIB and sight loss on our website: rrnib.org.uk/weardots RNIB charity nos. 226227, SC039316 and 1109