Braille children’s books initiative giving offenders ‘sense of purpose’
OFFENDERS completing community service have converted a range of children’s books into Braille for libraries across Northern Ireland.
Probation workers have hailed the initiative for engaging participants and creating a better understanding of the importance of helping others.
Prisoners in local jails have worked on similar projects through long-established Braille programmes in custody.
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland has teamed up with the Prison Arts Foundation to offer those on community service the opportunity to work at its Braille unit in Belfast city centre.
Hazel Flannigan is a blind volunteer who helps with the project at the unit.
“Books are so important in providing information and facts but also enabling people to escape and go on a journey of adventure,” she said.
“Braille books make life so much easier for blind and partially sighted people.
“It is an important way of giving blind people their independence and opening up new opportunities for them.
“The Braille unit makes an important contribution to the lives of blind people in NI and I am delighted to support it.”
Probation area manager Emer Loughran credited the initiative with assisting in the rehabilitation of offenders.
“This project has been a really valuable experience for people on community service,” she said.
Prison Arts Foundation chief executive Fred Caulfield said the Braille unit provided a “sense of purpose” to people on community service.
“It may also help them develop skills which are useful in securing future training and employment,” he added.