Germany donates Braille printers to shelled library in Kherson

Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Information Policy has announced that the library damaged by Russian forces in the southern city of Kherson will receive new equipment from Germany for people with visual impairments. 

Rubryka reports the decision, citing a letter from the authorized representative for culture and media of Germany's federal government, Claudia Roth.

What's the problem?

The ministry explained that constant Russian missile strikes on Kherson damaged the regional scientific library, which housed the leading Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Ukraine, destroying a Braille book production machine.

What's the solution?

The Kherson library, damaged by the Russians, will receive new equipment from Germany as part of the Ukraine Art Aid Center.

The Federal Government of Germany established the initiative to protect Ukraine's cultural values in March 2022 to coordinate assistance for Ukrainian cultural and architectural monuments and museums.

"The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided significant funding this year to the private initiative Ukraine Art Aid Center, through which we can provide broad assistance to protect cultural values ​​in Ukraine. I hope that assistance to people with visual impairments in Ukraine is a vivid example of such work, and I look forward to continuing our cooperation," Roth said in the letter.

How does it work?

According to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, the Government of Germany will support the Oles Honchar Kherson Regional Universal Scientific Library, which was shelled by the Russians last year.

The German National Library has directly contacted the Kherson Library through the Ukraine Art Aid Center. The project has ordered the necessary equipment and technology based on specific needs. This includes a Braille printer, a printer for tactile graphics on capsule paper, a Braille display, an electronic magnifier, a magnifying glass, and special paper.

The equipment is expected to be delivered to Ukraine in the spring of 2024.

"During Ukraine's recovery, we aim to implement a new philosophy of cultural institution activity. We are grateful to our German friends for their understanding and support in creating an accessible environment," said the Acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Rostyslav Karandieiev.

Rubryka reported that Kyiv's Official Portal published a list of shelters available for people with visual impairments.

The theater in Rivne has become barrier-free and shows performances for the blind and visually impaired.

Rubryka reported that Lego will launch sales of a Braille alphabet construction set to help children with visual impairments learn to read the tactile alphabet.