Braille House

Braille House Tiny dots. Big impact! At Braille House we teach and create braille to empower people who are blind or have low vision. www.braillehouse.org.au/
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Braille House is a charity that produces resources for children and adults who are blind or have low vision. Braille House began in 1897 as the Queensland Braille Writing Association by the then Governor's wife Lady Lamington (yep - the lady the Lamington is named after - but that's another story). Braille House's mission has not changed in 125 years "To provide Braille tuition and reading material to empower people who are blind or who have low vision to live with dignity and independence"

3 weeks to go for the Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition! The theme for this year is “Challenge,” and it’s an invit...
28/08/2026

3 weeks to go for the Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition!

The theme for this year is “Challenge,” and it’s an invitation for those who haven’t ever entered before to try something new and challenging.

This is the 105th competition, and it’s a great milestone year to jump on board.

Prizes are available for adults, as well as primary and secondary students, and there are multiple categories including creative writing, poetry and personal reflections.

The People’s Choice competition is also still open to all entrants.

If you’ve started your entry, but haven’t finished yet, this is your sign to get it finished. If you haven’t started, this is your sign to get started!

The competition closes on Friday 18 September. Details are available at https://www.braillehouse.org.au/education/dickinson-memorial-literary-competition

Book Week at Braille House!This week we're celebrating some of the books that left a lasting impression on our team memb...
27/08/2026

Book Week at Braille House!

This week we're celebrating some of the books that left a lasting impression on our team members and imagining what they might have looked like if they'd dressed up as their favourite characters for Book Week.

It's also a reminder that access to books isn't equal. For every 100 books available to a sighted child, a child who is blind has access to just five.

Today, it's Leslie's turn.

Leslie, who looks after fundraising, marketing and business development at Braille House, loved Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy growing up.

"It had everything I loved as a child," she says. "Dogs, mischievous adventures and a cast of memorable characters."

And if Leslie had dressed up for Book Week?

There was only one choice.

Hairy Maclary himself.

So, Leslie... here's what you might have looked like at Book Week!

Book Week at Braille House!This week we're celebrating some of the books that captured the imaginations of our team memb...
26/08/2026

Book Week at Braille House!

This week we're celebrating some of the books that captured the imaginations of our team members growing up, and imagining what it might have looked like if they'd dressed up as their favourite characters for Book Week.

It's also a chance to highlight why accessible books matter. For every 100 books available to a sighted child, a child who is blind has access to just five.

Next up: Brad and Doctor Who.

Brad, our librarian, loved the Doctor Who books growing up and read every one he could get his hands on.

While he enjoyed the books featuring all the Doctors, there has only ever been one true Doctor for Brad: Tom Baker.

Brad loved the adventure, the monsters and the evil geniuses that filled the stories.

"It was fertile stuff for a young kid's imagination," he says. "I was often off in the clouds, staring out the window imagining weird and wonderful worlds when I should have been doing my homework."

And if he'd dressed up for Book Week?

There was only one choice.

Tom Baker's iconic scarf and unmistakable style.

So, Brad... here's what you might have looked like at Book Week!

Remembering Dolly PartonDolly Parton will rightly be remembered for her music, humour and generosity, but one of her mos...
26/08/2026

Remembering Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton will rightly be remembered for her music, humour and generosity, but one of her most remarkable legacies is her commitment to literacy.

Through her Imagination Library, she helped place hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children around the world, opening doors to learning, imagination and opportunity.

Her example reminds us that literacy initiatives do not simply happen on their own. They rely on people who believe that reading matters and who choose to support it.

At Braille House, we see that same truth every day.

For people who are blind or have low vision, access to literacy can mean access to education, employment, independence and connection. For 129 years, our community of supporters has helped us empower people of all ages who are blind or have low vision through alternative formats.

Dolly once said:

"If you can read, you can do anything."

Today, we remember not only an extraordinary entertainer, but a passionate advocate who showed what is possible when a commitment to literacy is matched by action.

Thank you, Dolly.

Book Week at Braille House!We're a home library service, so we didn't dress up at Braille House for Book Week but we've ...
25/08/2026

Book Week at Braille House!

We're a home library service, so we didn't dress up at Braille House for Book Week but we've been loving seeing everyone's Book Week fun popping up on social media!

So we thought we'd join in!

Because any excuse to talk about books, and why access to them matters, is a good one.

For every 100 books a sighted child has access to, a child who is blind has access to just five.

We're celebrating some of the books that have stayed with our team over the years and imagining what it might have looked like if they'd dressed up as their favourite characters.

First up: Margo and The Velveteen Rabbit.

Margo has loved this book for many decades, describing it as a timeless story about vulnerability, love, imperfection and transformation.

And we're delighted to say that The Velveteen Rabbit is also on the Braille House Library shelves.

So, Margo... here's what you might have looked like at Book Week!

New additions to the Library!A sizeable selection of new books has dropped at theLibrary during the month of July. There...
25/08/2026

New additions to the Library!

A sizeable selection of new books has dropped at the
Library during the month of July. There’s a mixture of
fiction and non-fiction, and books for adults and kids.
Highlights include: a choose your own adventure book
in braille, the conclusion to a series that completes the
set, and two books from series recently adapted for
streaming.

Braille House is home to an army of amazing
volunteers, and thanks to their efforts, the Library is
now also home to these books, ready to be loved.

Adult Library
Backup is Three Hours Away by Mark Tregellas
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Writes
Knife by Salman Rushdie
Shattered by Hanif Kureishi
The Basket Case by Tim Sullivan
The Funeral Crashers by Joanna Nell
The Hunter by Tim Sullivan
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Children’s and Young Adults Library
Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable
Snowman by R. A. Montgomery
Extreme Animal Facts by Jennifer Cossins
Funny Kid: Prank Wars by Matt Stanton
I Wonder Why: Snakes Shed Their Skin by Amanda
O’Neill
Incredible But True: Space by Amanda Askew
Ranger’s Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw by John
Flanagan
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Joanna Nell Author Red Parka Matt Stanton

Why does the Braille Literacy Challenge matter?A recent BBC podcast explored the future of braille, speaking with braill...
19/08/2026

Why does the Braille Literacy Challenge matter?

A recent BBC podcast explored the future of braille, speaking with braille users, educators and experts from across the UK. While the discussion is centred on the UK, the messages about literacy, opportunity and independence are just as relevant here in Australia.

The experts interviewed agreed that braille remains vital for literacy and learning, and that children who are blind or have low vision should have access to braille from an early age.

That's why the Braille Literacy Challenge is so important. It celebrates and strengthens the braille literacy skills that help students thrive at school and beyond.

listen to the podcast:

https://www.braillehouse.org.au/about/news/the-future-of-braille-listen-to-the-people-who-use-it.html

Help shape the future of braille literacy worldwide.Braille House is proud to support the Global Braille Survey, a key i...
18/08/2026

Help shape the future of braille literacy worldwide.

Braille House is proud to support the Global Braille Survey, a key initiative of the Global Braille Literacy Campaign, More Braille: More Empowerment.

Backed by the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), the World Blind Union (WBU) and partners worldwide, the survey seeks input from braille users, families, educators and transcribers.

The findings will help build the evidence needed to strengthen advocacy, inform policy, improve resources and expand access to braille literacy around the world.

If you are eligible, we encourage you to participate. If you're not, please help by sharing this post with your networks. We want to hear from as many people, communities and countries as possible.

Take the survey: tiny.cc/braillesurvey

Questions or need assistance? Contact us or email [email protected].

Bonus Draw Now Open: WIN a $2,500 VISA Voucher!*Imagine an extra $2,500 in your pocket. What would you do with it? A get...
17/08/2026

Bonus Draw Now Open: WIN a $2,500 VISA Voucher!*

Imagine an extra $2,500 in your pocket. What would you do with it? A getaway, a wardrobe refresh, dining out with family and friends, or simply paying a few bills?

For a limited time, when you purchase a ticket in Play For Purpose Raffle 33, you'll automatically receive an entry into the August Bonus Draw for your chance to win a $2,500 VISA voucher*.

Plus, your ticket will also go into the draw for the incredible $350,000 First Prize Pack, including:
• A Lexus RX 450h+
• $175,000 in gold bullion
• More than $36,000 in shopping vouchers

That's more chances to win, while supporting Braille House. At least $5 from every ticket purchased through Braille House helps empower people of all ages who are blind or have low vision through alternative formats.

Bonus Draw entries close: 11:59pm AEST, Wednesday 19 August 2026
Bonus Draw winner announced: Friday 21 August 2026

Don't miss out. Get your tickets today: https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/braille-house

If the winner is a Victorian resident, the prize will be awarded as a $2,500 Woolworths voucher in accordance with state regulations.



Conductor is 50-50 Foundation ltd. T&c's & permits at playforpurpose.com.au

At Braille House, we're committed to keeping our library collection relevant by offering books, magazines, games and oth...
13/08/2026

At Braille House, we're committed to keeping our library collection relevant by offering books, magazines, games and other accessible resources that reflect the interests of our community.

The August–September edition of Prevention Magazine Australia is now available in braille, and we're delighted to hear it's already being enjoyed by our borrowers.

One reader recently shared:

"I would highly recommend Prevention to other borrowers, as I found it extremely informative and useful."

Thank you to the team at Prevention Australia for partnering with us to make their magazine available in braille. Partnerships like this help ensure people who are blind or have low vision can access the same timely health and wellbeing information as everyone else.

If you'd like to explore our library collection, call our friendly library team on 07 3848 5257. We'd love to help you find books, magazines, games and other accessible resources that match your interests.

Address

507 Ipswich Road
Brisbane, QLD
4103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61738485257

Website

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