NAB Louis Braille Memorial Research Centre

History

In India there has been no systematic effort to conduct scientific research on blindness-related issues and to fill this void NAB (India) set up the Louis Braille Memorial Research Centre (LBMRC) in 1975.

Activities

LBMRC took up many research projects and has also brought out quite a few useful publications. These research projects have enabled policy framers to gaze into the issues of blindness and resulted in substantial change at the policy level. Important among the projects are: Enumeration of the Blind in Bombay (1990), Study of NAB Community Based Rehabilitation Programme for the Rural Blind (1999), Study of NAB’s Institution-based Urban Rehabilitation Programme (2003) etc.

Presently, LBMRC is engaged in two major actitivities - a professional library and publication of NAB periodicals.

Library

LBMRC houses a specialized Library having a rich collection of around 5000 books and periodicals, besides reports, articles, etc. on various aspects pertaining to blindness and blind welfare. It regularly receives several professional journals and magazines from within India and overseas.

This Library was started in 1979 with a modest collection of books received by way of gifts and donations. In fact, when NAB initiated work for the blind in India, the volunteers who so readily assisted NAB in furthering the cause of the blind, were not trained in the specialized work they were required to do.  So, to prepare these volunteers, NAB in the early fifties, started a library of books on subjects pertaining to blindness/blind welfare, with a gift of six sets (each of 25) of books donated by the American Foundation for Overseas Blind. Later, in December 1960 with generous help from the Lions Club of Bombay, the NAB Lions Blind Welfare Library was set up. In 1982 this library was transferred to LBMRC which also by then had built up its own collection. 

The LBMRC Library has both lending and reference services. Its clientele mostly comprise of professionals and research scholars.  Membership of the library is open to individuals/institutions, who are enrolled as life/ordinary members. Individuals/Institutions from outside Mumbai can also join. This is a very unique service provided by the library, not easily available elsewhere in the country. Computerization of the library is currently underway.

Library Membership Form
Library Rules

Events

The Centre has organized some important events and has played a crucial role in programmes organized by NAB (India).

National Seminar on the Role of Science & Technology in the Service of the Blind, December 19, 1981: This Seminar was organized with the objective to encourage study and research projects designed to facilitate practical participation of disabled persons in daily life.  A Report of this Seminar was published in 1982.

Seminar on No Barriers: Thoughtful Environment for the Blind, February 12, 1992 - The objective of this Seminar was to focus attention of civic and transport authorities, architects, builders, bank officials and the general public towards the need for creating a barrier-free environment for the visually handicapped.  A report of this Seminar titled - “Seminar on No Barriers: Thoughtful Environment for the Blind, February 12, 1992: Post Conference Report” was published by the Centre.

Vision ’98: National Conference on Low Vision: The Centre gave considerable administrative support and actively participated in this event organized by NAB (I) in April 1998.  The post conference report was also prepared by the Centre.

National Conference on Science & Technology (2003): This Conference was organized by NAB (I), under the aegis of LBMRC, with the objective to review the developments and role of science and technology in the service of the visually impaired, assess the relevance of the recommendations made an earlier Seminar (organized by the Centre in 1981) and review the extent to which the relevant recommendations were implemented and identify the gaps. Post Conference Report of this event has been prepared by LBMRC. Alongside the Conference, there was an exhibition of latest technological devices and daily living aids for the blind and those with low vision.

Braille Reading Competition:  On the occasion of Bi-Centenary of Louis Braille, NAB (India) organized a national-level Braille Reading Competition  during Dec 2008.  Administrative support to this event was offered by the Centre.

Magazine and Newsletter

The Centre is also responsible for bringing out NAB's official magazine “Blind Welfare” and the NABINDIA Newsletter.  These tri-annual print publications brought out simultaneously in April, August and December are also published in Braille by the NAB Braille Press. Whereas "Blind Welfare" carries articles and news pertaining blindness and related to issue, the newsletter is exclusively about activities of NAB Departments and Branches.