Queensland Braille Writing Association
What we do
QBWA is a voluntary association producing books and other resources in braille and moon script for children and adults, students of all ages, organisations and government departments, as well as offering skilled tutoring to adults who wish to become touch readers of braille or moon script. Explore our website to find out more about the Association, the range of services and resources available and ways in which you might like to assist our unique organisation.
Our mission
To provide Braille and Moon tuition and reading material to empower people who are blind or who have low vision to live with dignity and independence.
News and events
Braille ballots in 2012
QBWA is excited to be working closely with the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) to produce ballot papers in braille for the forthcoming state and local government elections. If you are a braille user and keen to exercise your right to vote in an independent, simple and secure way, please visit the ECQ website to find out more detail and how to register to receive your braille ballot papers by post
Catalogue updates
The December 2011 catalogues are available for download from our Books & magazines page, where you can also find listed some of this year's new titles.
Open Day
For the third successive year, on 5 June 2011, QBWA participated in the Open Day at Government House, at the invitation of Her Excellency Ms. Penelope Wensley AO (Governor of Queensland,). QBWA's display proved to be a good opportunity to meet many members of the general public, provide examples of braille and answer many questions about braille and how it is produced, and to share information about much of what is done at Braille House.
2012 Calendars
Are you looking for a 2012 calendar in braille or moon, with wonderful tactual pictures throughout? "The Wonders of Nature" adorn this year's large picture calendars and these, along with the small, quick reference versions, are now available for purchase. Please go to the Special braille services page for further information.
Braille Literacy Challenge
This year's Braille Literacy Challenge was held on the morning of Friday, 9 September with braille reading students attending from many schools in the region and one student, Tristan from Mount Isa, participating by correspondence. A highlight for us all, including Tristan and his classmates, teacher and mum, was a telephone link during the presentation to him of the Veronica Maguire Remembrance Award. We were also pleased to welcome Mitchell, a school leaver in 2010, to the ranks of the adjudicators. As always, the morning offered the usual much anticipated social event for students together with an interesting variety of braille-related activities and ended with entertaining presentations from four year 12 students to mark their final year of participation.
Useful links
If you would like to read more about Braille, the work of the Australian Braille Authority, education of people with vision impairment and other related topics, as well as information about local blindness organisations, please visit our useful links page.
