Anna frustrated by lack of Braille books (From Bucks Free Press)

Anna Foo frustrated by lack of Braille books

11:14am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

A BLIND youngster from Flackwell Heath says she is often left frustrated by a lack of books written in Braille.

Keen reader Anna Foo has starred in a video for the Royal Institute of Blind People to highlight the importance of reading for blind and partially sighted children.

The online film (see below) features interviews with Anna, a braille and audio book reader, in which she talks about how essential reading is to her.

The 12-year-old is registered blind having been born with the sight condition Leber's Amaurosis, and is an active member of RNIB's National Library Service, which allows her access to a wide range of literature.

But the reality is only seven per cent of books are accessible to almost two million blind and partially sighted people in the UK.

Anna said: "I really love reading....but when I can't get the same books as everyone else it leaves me frustrated, it's horrible when everyone is talking about a book and you don't know what to say."

Anna's mum, Laura Foo said: "Anna finds it increasingly difficult to get hold of braille books. She gets very frustrated when she cannot read the latest children's blockbusters along with her sighted friends."

The film, which marks ‘Read for RNIB Day’ on October 19, is designed to be shown in schools across the country, and gives advice about how to get involved to raise money for braille, large print, giant print and talking books.

For more details see: www.readforrnib.org.uk