She currently works as a braille transcriber and learned that Voice of People with Disability Ghana (VOICE GHANA), a disability advocacy and capacity building organization based in Ho, Volta Region, received a grant from STAR-GHANA and its donor partners: (DFID, EU, DANIDA, and USAID) to among others, engage local stakeholders to complete the Braille Resource Center at Mawuli Senior High School in Ho. This led her to begin collecting braille and large print reading materials for visually impaired students to donate to VOICE-GHANA for distribution. Access to braille and large print materials allows reading for all. The project expanded to include materials for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities. The 20’ foot shipping container received by VOICE GHANA held approximately 10,000 pounds of donations including 350 boxes of braille and large print books and educational materials, 155 pairs of crutches, 70 walkers, 15 wheelchairs and additional mobility equipment. VOICE GHANA will distribute the items to the Mawuli Braille Resource Centre, Ho, the Visually Impaired Unit, Adidome Senior High School, Adidome, Volta Region, New Horizon for the Blind (NHFB), Ho, Ghana Blind Union, Ho, Ghana Blind Union, Kpedze, the Special Needs Unit of the Anglican Primary School, Ho, and some persons with disabilities in the Volta region including individual visually impaired (adults and students) at Jasikan, Nkwanta etc. This project was successful due to the generous contributions of many individuals and organizations across the United States with special mention of the Los Angeles Unified School District in California including Lena Hinkle who donated three Perkins Braille Writers and Braille Papers to the Braille Unit of the Mawuli Senior High School and two other Schools for the Blind in the country. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s Funded Transportation Program provided door-to-port transportation of the donated items. The estimated value of the donations exceeds $100,000.00. The collaboration between Rae Tyler and VOICE-GHANA will contribute to the reduction of stigma surrounding persons with disabilities, increase social, economic, and educational opportunities, and foster inclusive education. Rae Tyler shall continue to send braille materials and mobility equipment to VOICE GHANA for donation to other schools for the blind and persons with disabilities in the country. Francis Asong Director: VOICE GHANA July 2013 |
