Look to the Past, See the Future

Black & white photograph of a hand reading wood-carved braille code. Author: Christophe MOUSTIER - 2005

A research project - support for people with visual impairment since 1847

Gabriella Zavoli BA (Hons) gabriella@focusenterprises.org.uk

Wendy Dunn

The project is a research based study of the history of the BRIB (Birmingham Royal Institute of the Blind) from the formation of a school for the blind children in 1847 through to the formation of Focus Birmingham, Focus Enterprises and QAC.

The project will focus on the history of the specialist schools, their locations and construction but most importantly on those who studied there and the skills they developed.

The study will encompass the changes over time to the practice of education in regards to the blind and visually impaired community within a school environment.

The project will be wide reaching and cover many differing areas including historical research using both library facilities, archive research and multi media based research methods.

Look to the Past, See the Future will create an invaluable archive of material for future use, an exhibition featuring work by schools and the creation of a key stage three history work book for study in schools.

The project already has the backing of both Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham Central Library and the Pen Room Museum.

The archive created will feature information from all of the sources mentioned and also exhibit elements from their collections. The project will work very closely with schools and volunteers who will be key to the success of the archive.

The involvement of Birmingham Schools will establish future relationships between school, Focus and its partner organisations. The introduction of young people to the history of the blind and visually impaired within their own communities will create a greater understanding of disability. The project is designed to fit into the curriculum for key stage three history as it would be taught as part of a local history module.

This is a very exciting time for Focus Enterprises as this is a unique project and one that will add greatly to the understanding of medical treatment and related social issues through time.

It is intended that 20 schools participate where the project outputs would be used as teaching resources in line with lesson plans as part of a key stage three history programme. This teaching and learning material could be designed as a local history module or as part of a lesson plan for medicine through time, or a citizenship lesson.

Three schools will be invited to participate as Hub Schools to focus their research on the local area and environment directly relating to the first school for blind children opened in 1847. The research and study will include current experience of blind and visually impaired students in the education community today. The aim of the project is not only to discover what life was like for those with visual impairments in the past but also to predict what life will be like in the future.

Schools participating in the project may choose to undertake study visits to both Focus Birmingham and participating partner museums to research and collate information.

At the end of the 7 month project a final exhibition will take place featuring exhibits prepared by students from the participating schools.

Focus Enterprises will work closely with the schools to help produce an archive for the future.

Schools can choose to get involved in research in libraries, archives, museums and the internet or create their own art, craft or history sub-projects for exhibition.

If your school is one of the 3 Hub Schools you will teach the subject as part of a local history module for key stage 3 history. If your school is one that cannot teach the subject as part of the curriculum then the project could be taught as a another lesson encompassing elements of a history module.

Research collated by students will provide material for a historic archive for Focus Enterprises.

The research that schools collate will be used alongside the research of a volunteer for exhibition purposes and the creation of a KS3 booklet for History in Schools.

The school may find that a trip to a museum or library is helpful to students to gain a clearer understanding of what it was like to be blind or visually impaired in the past.

A visit to Focus Birmingham may be beneficial for those who wish to meet some users of the support services provided and understand why the project is a very important one for the future.

Focus Enterprises Ltd, 48 - 62 Woodville Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 9AT

Tel 0121 478 5242

Mobile 07515 066965

E-mail gabriella@focusenterprises.org.uk