I was delighted to be involved in the making of this special pack for blind and partially sighted children – particularly because Living Paintings design these packs to be shared. It can be a lonely life – being blind, and having something special to share at school and at home helps to break down some of the barriers.
(PRWeb UK) June 4, 2009
Two of BBC Springwatch’s presenters have come together to help award winning charity Living Paintings produce a special touch and sound pack on British Wildlife and the Countryside for blind and partially sighted children – and the pack is proving very popular with a waiting list of young members of this free library waiting for a copy.
The pack takes a tour round Northumberland National Park, where Springwatch presenter Kate Humble, introduces the elusive otter and various animal tracks. Chris Packham, the co-host of Springwatch explains the life cycle of the red admiral, and the relationship between bats and moths. Each subject is illustrated by special “feely” raised images. Another broadcaster, Lauren Laverne, describes the increasingly rare red squirrel.
Kate Humble explains why the pack is important:
“Watching wildlife has provided some of the most exciting moments in my life and sharing these experiences with a wider audience has brought just as much joy. Just thinking what it must be like to be young and blind made helping with Living Paintings’ special pack on Wildlife a must.”
“This pack, available throughout these islands from Living Paintings free library, will help explain some of the wonders of the natural world to some very special enthusiasts. In the field, many wild creatures, like the otter, are difficult to see, and it is what you hear, smell, and feel that are just as important. So this pack is very true to real experiences – which adds to its value.”
Lauren Laverne adds:
“I was delighted to be involved in the making of this special pack for blind and partially sighted children – particularly because Living Paintings design these packs to be shared. It can be a lonely life – being blind, and having something special to share at school and at home helps to break down some of the barriers.”
The visually impaired editor for the Wildlife pack was 14 year old Liam Midwood from Bradford and this is what he had to say about the pack as a whole:
“What was really good was the things like the hedgehog, badger, squirrel, otter and mole because you are never going to be able to touch these animals, whereas you can get pet mice, rats and rabbits and I have felt a plastic bat (Halloween) and I have felt a dead butterfly but obviously I couldn’t feel the markings like I could on the raised images.”
“It was good to learn things about animals as well, such as their food, babies and predators. I thought the life cycle would be good for younger children as I remember learning about it in primary school (although I never had anything tactile!).”
“When people talk about wildlife now it will be good as I will be able to picture in my head the animal’s shape and size - which I couldn’t do before. That’s good to help me understand the world around me.”
“After editing this pack I am now interested to find out the shapes/sizes and life cycles of other animals such as jungle animals, fish (including the piranha) and sea creatures”.
“I liked the way it was set out, with it being father and son, it felt like it was something that could happen and helped me to relate to it. I think the idea of the child keeping the footprint raised images is great. I have already used mine to make chocolate footprints.”
Janet Williamson is a teacher who has used the pack:
“Although this Wildlife pack was aimed at older children we used it for our non-fiction book within the whole class which included a six year old visually impaired child with English as a second language. We used it in Key Stage 1 and it was brilliant.”
“We did not work through the whole pack but used the raised images and tapes with sighted children working alongside on the colour pictures, and I gave additional help.
“I didn’t want to send them back! I found the pack an excellent reference book – sometimes only using the raised images.”
Pam Symons, another teacher adds:
“The British Wildlife pack is beautifully produced. It was particularly useful for our blind student to share with sighted friends - they are fascinated by your resources and this pack in particular promoted some good conversations and discussions.
Thanks for your excellent service.”
Living Paintings also has an Album for adults on birds, and this is the most popular item in the adult library. By providing pictures that can be “felt” in Albums and books, with audio commentary, Living Paintings enables people who cannot see to enjoy a wide range of visual treats, be they popular children’s books, science, history, famous works of art, the natural world, city tours, gardens, topical themes or great buildings. And membership is free - every item in this charity’s library is loaned and posted for free.
If anyone would like to join Living Paintings all they have to do is ring 01635 299771 and they will be welcomed as members or they can join online at: http://www.livingpaintings.org
Ends
-The attached pictures shows the pack and Kate Humble
-A sound clip of Kate Humble’s contribution is available from Paul Hannon, from whom further information about the pack may be obtained 01635 299771
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