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15th Birthday
The National Blind Children’s Society is celebrating 15 years of opening doors to a brighter future for children who are blind and partially sighted.
NBCS was founded in 1995 by Somerset entrepreneur Rod Carne (pictured), who is himself visually impaired.
Rod said: ‘I was trying to study for two courses for the Open University and was struggling with the dreadful cassettes.
‘I thought that in this computer age there had to be a better way for young people with sight problems to study and read, so I started looking into computer programmes which could help the visually impaired, especially children.’
And from that tiny acorn of raising money to make specialist IT equipment and software available to young students, the charity concept started to grow until NBCS now also provides support through a comprehensive family support and information service, CustomEyes large-print books, expert educational advocacy and recreational events.
Thousands of children and young people, and their families, now have good reason to thank Rod for his foresight and determination.
One of them is Reece Bassett, of West Looe in Cornwall, who like NBCS is celebrating his 15th birthday in 2010.
Breaking off from cooking a chicken pie with his mum Michelle, Reece said: ‘NBCS has introduced me to the world of big-print books which gives me tremendous pleasure.
‘And being able to get books on cookery has given me the chance to explore a completely new field. They are also helping with revision guides for school and this has helped with history and geography which I particularly enjoy.
‘My mum and dad have also been helped with specialist advice on what should be available to help me complete my education.
‘Now I am looking for new text books including Frankenstein, The Crucible and Romeo And Juliet – how about that for a mix!’
For the Bould family of Buxton in Derbyshire it is the knowledge that they can call on experts for emotional and practical advice that they most appreciate.
Lynne Bould said: ‘It is great to know that you can go to the NBCS for support and information to help our daughter Alice, and that there is always someone ready to help. It 
is so reassuring to have that back-up.
‘Our whole family wishes NBCS good luck for its15th birthday year!’
Throughout 2010 NBCS is celebrating its 15th birthday with a series of events, including an all-day family party at the Longleat safari park in Wiltshire and a fundraising trek for 15 company chief executives on Peru’s Inca trail.
