Pioneering College for the Blind Celebrates 150th Anniversary

HEREFORD, U.K. - April 21, 2022 - PRLog -- The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) which has been leading the way in education for the visually impaired since 1872, was founded when Victorian philanthropist, Dr Thomas Rhodes Armitage, met like-minded American visionary, Francis Joseph Campbell.

Both men were visually impaired and resolved to create a ground-breaking college focusing on offering blind students an education which would lead them into worthwhile employment.

Armitage and Campbell were remarkable men and offered a curriculum that was liberal and advanced for its day, and designed to prepare its students for employment in a sighted world. Physical education was enthusiastically promoted, and the atmosphere was full of life and excitingly experimental.

Braille continues to thrive as a means of communication for the visually impaired with RNC still very much an advocate of teaching and learning Braille, whilst also embracing newer assistive technologies which help with communication, navigation and independence.

Applying the principles set out by the College's founding fathers to modern day, it is important that RNC students develop their IT skills. Students are encouraged to learn or update their skills in a range of accessible technologies, including screen reading and magnifying software, which helps with accessing emails, searching the Internet and presenting work using industry standard software such as Microsoft Office. Equipping students with these skills helps with transition into the workplace and to university.

RNC focuses on independent learning and living and empowers students to overcome barriers and develop skills and confidence in order to live their best lives. In fact, student, Abdul Eneser, who also left RNC in 2021, and is now reading Law at the University of Strathclyde, said:

'On my first weekend at RNC, I was given my first long cane and shown around the campus. Two weeks later, I challenged myself to complete my first independent travel journey on the train from Hereford to Manchester alone. I genuinely believe that I would not have been able to do that without support and encouragement from a brilliant Independent Living Skills (ILS) team at the College.'

Lucy Proctor, Executive Principal, said:

'The College is a national asset and has a fantastic history and legacy of providing top quality education, training and life skills. RNC alumni have, and continue to, make a very distinctive mark on the world including Paralympians, politicians, actors, teachers, entrepreneurs and musicians.'

Visit us at http://www.rnc.ac.uk