Royal London Society for Blind People: Difference between revisions
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The '''Royal London Society for the Blind''' (RLSB) is a UK [[Charitable organization|charity]] offering education and life-skills for blind and partially-sighted adults and children.<ref>[http://www.rlsb.org.uk/Page.aspx?page=5921127A-1110-4393-B610-2EAF7AC9DBF2]</ref> |
The '''Royal London Society for the Blind''' (RLSB) is a UK [[Charitable organization|charity]] offering education and life-skills for blind and partially-sighted adults and children.<ref>[http://www.rlsb.org.uk/Page.aspx?page=5921127A-1110-4393-B610-2EAF7AC9DBF2]</ref> |
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Revision as of 14:54, 16 November 2009
The Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) is a UK charity offering education and life-skills for blind and partially-sighted adults and children.[1]
History
The Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) was founded by Thomas Lucas, in 1838, using a system of embossed type invented by Lucas.
Funds for the school were raised largely through the efforts of the Ladies' Committee under the secretaryship of Mrs Lydia Johnson. Her husband, Percival Norton Johnson, founder of what is now Johnson Matthey plc, also took a prominent role in the affairs of the Society for many years.
The original Day School was in Fitzroy Street, London, but moved shortly after to 6 Gloucester Place, where resident pupils were accepted. Within a couple of years, teaching of practical skills, such as basket-making, knitting and netting, was introduced.
In 1842 the organisation moved to larger premises in Bloomsbury, then in 1847 a purpose-built school in Swiss Cottage was completed at a cost of £4,500.
In 1938, the Society's 100th Anniversary Year, the prefix 'Royal' was added to the Society's title by order of HM King George VI and became the 'Royal London Society for Teaching the Blind to Read'.
At the start of World War II, the children were evacuated from London to a large manor house in Buckinghamshire called 'Dorton House'.
In 1954 the Society purchased 'Wildernesse' in Seal and it became the new permanent home of the School. The name 'Dorton House' was transferred to the new property and the school was officially opened in 1956.
The RLSB's new purpose-built Dorton House School was opened by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester in 1983. Costing £1.75 million to build, it was designed for the education of 140 pupils.
In 1989 the Queen opened Dorton's College of Further Education and in 1996 a purpose-built Nursery was opened.
The RLSB's Employment Service was set up in 1997 to help place people who are blind or partially sighted in employment and provide support to employers.
Organisation
The charity's headquarters are in Seal, England. The RLSB's Patron is Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
Vision and mission
The Royal London Society for the Blind's mission is to remove barriers to personal fulfilment and social inclusion by providing a range of education, training and employment services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people in contemporary society. [2]
RLSB Nursery
The RLSB's Dorton House Nursery caters for blind or partially sighted children aged between 2 and 5 years old, who may also have additional needs.
Family support, advice and information is also available through the Nursery. Parents of children who are blind or partially sighted can also drop-in to work and play with their children under the guidance of Nursery staff.
RLSB Dorton House School
Dorton House school specialises in teaching children whose Statement of Special Educational Needs indicates that a placement in a specialist school for children who are visually impaired is appropriate.
Children are encouraged to develop not only the necessary academic skills but also skills for independent living.
RLSB Dorton College of Further Education
Dorton College of Further Educations provide a complete educational experience for students who are blind or partially sighted.
Tailored academic courses are available as well as a Horticultural and Ecological curriculum, enabling students to develop vocational skills in land-based studies, food preparation, catering and retail.
Support and information
The RLSB offers a number consultancy services to help blind and partially-sighted individuals enter into open employment.
Employment Support Advisers work closely on a one-to-one basis to help prepare candidates for their next job. Vocational Workgroups are aimed at building confidence for entry into the job market.