The House of Services for the Blind welcomed visitors on the Open Day, but is open to those in need throughout the year

In the very heart of Prague, in Krakovská Street, a few steps from Wenceslas Square, is the House of Services for the Blind. A few days ago, it opened its doors to anyone interested in specific services for visually impaired people. He showcased the patient work of those who make it easier for visually impaired people to lead independent lives.

Everyone who came to see could try out specialized computer programs, walk with a white cane, get acquainted with the teaching of Braille, take a look at the training kitchen equipped with countless gadgets that ensure safety and orientation of a person without visual control, not only when cooking.

Visitors to the Open Day played haptic board games and tried sound shooting at a target. The exhibition “Zoo with all the senses” was a success, which allows you to get to know the world of fauna in a different way than by sight.

The open day was prepared by the United Organization of the Blind and Visually Impaired of the Czech Republic, zs in cooperation with Tyfloservis, ops and TyfloCentre Praha, ops Together they offer a complete range of services for people with visual disabilities throughout the year:

• social activation services for severely visually impaired people (organization of activities, self-help groups, activation clubs),
• basic advice on the possibilities of compensation for visual impairment and on service providers for visually impaired persons,
• technical advice in the selection of aids, including training in the operation of such devices,
• professional social legal and labor law consultancy,
• publication of magazines in Braille, audio, enlarged black print and digital form,
• running a digital library making texts accessible to visually impaired people,
• development and practice of skills acquired in basic rehabilitation programs (cooking, housework, reading, etc.),
• guide dog training and other services for their owners,
• removing architectural and informational barriers and others.

SONS (United Organization of the Blind and Visually Impaired) is an association bringing together thousands of people with severe visual disabilities. It is also an organization providing a wide range of necessary services to this target group. It has existed since 1996 and has more than 70 branches throughout the country. The vast majority of the more than 200 employees are severely visually impaired. More at sons.cz.