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  • Phone: 020 206 5805 | 0721 865 805
  • Email: africanbraille[@]gmail.com, info[@]africanbraille.org

Our Story

Our History, Background.

About Us

Introduction

African Braille Centre(ABC) was founded by Sightsavers in 1986 and became an independent Kenya NGO in 1997. The organization has been supporting education of visually impaired leaners for over 37 years now.

The African Braille Centre is a regional non-governmental organization based in Nairobi. ABC’s main focus is the production of curriculum Braille learning materials and talking books for use by visually impaired children in schools.

The organization has partnered with other international organizations such as Perkins School for the Blind (USA), E-Kitabu (USA), DOT Corporation (Korea), Braillo (Norway) etc. in provision of assistive devices and equipment for the blind learners as well as those with low vision.

Some of the kids in the programme
Some of the kids in the programme

Background

The African Braille Centre (ABC) is a regional non-governmental organization registered in Kenya. Since 1987 ABC has been pursuing excellence in the production of education materials in Braille and other accessible formats for visually impaired people with a special focus on children. ABC has provided services in East, West and Southern Africa supporting Braille production centres in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Somaliland in Eastern Africa. In Western Africa, ABC has worked with and supported Braille centres in Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia. In southern Africa, ABC has worked in Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. ABC has also been approached for assistance by centres in D R Congo, Rwanda and Southern Sudan.

ABC has supported education for visually impaired children in Kenya and the region since 1987. During that period, many children in the region have had access to education as a result of ABC’s work. Specifically, ABC has supported learners in the region with educational materials in Braille, print and digital audio. ABC has also been in the forefront of advocating for the rights to education of visually impaired learners. In the process, ABC, in partnership with Ministry of Education and others, has been involved in the development of the Special Needs Education Policy in Kenya, which is now operational. ABC has also been involved in regional efforts to develop standards for Braille and tactile maps and diagrams.

ABC utilizes the emerging technologies to bridge existing learning gap for children with visual impairment through provision of learning materials in alternative & accessible format and by providing assistive devices. In its pursuit of excellence and bring access to education for learners with visual impairment, ABC has been involved in a number of innovative projects that promote use of technology to enhance access to quality education. Some of the projects include Talking books, SMART Brailler, Braille-n-Print, DOT Mini assistive device, Orbit 20 Reader, Production of computer generated Tactile diagrams etc.

Support Our Mission

Join us today in ensuring that children with visual impairment have equal opportunities and access to quality education that will lead to a better future life for them.

Together we can make a difference.

Our Partners

the distinguished organisations we have worked with
40,000 +

Braille Volumes Produced Per Year

5,000 +

Perkins Brailles Repaired To-Date

3,000 +

Reams of Braille Paper Supplied Per Year

200 +

Technicians Trained locally and internationally