We conduct the following activities to help the blind, especially the newly blind, to become independent and to improve their welfare.
HELEN KELLER MEDICAL ACADEMY
Established in 1950
This institution is a school for the blind (with the prescribed number of 105 students,) to train them as practitioners of massage, acupuncture and moxibustion.
The institution is authorized by the Minister of Health and Welfare as a medical college. Most of the graduates of this school become independent practitioners in hospitals or private clinic after passing the national qualifying examination.
PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND
Established in 1968
This printing house issues four kinds of braille magazines with original contents, besides making medical braille books, braille textbooks commissioned by the Ministry of Education, campaign bulletins and publications issued by various public organizations. This is done by high-speed braille printing machines made in England.
LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND
Established in 1974
The collections are mainly medical braille books and recorded books, which are read in the library and also are lent to the blind all over Japan without fee. The library gives private training in braille reading, short courses of braille, competitions in braille and so on.
APPLIANCE CENTER FOR THE BLIND
Established in 1982
This center developed the first voice synthesized sphygmomanometer in cooperation with Sharp Corporation, besides a sewing machine for the blind, electromagnetic cooking equipment, a personal CCTV system and so forth. The center works on planning, exploiting and distributing of equipment for the blind, while importing braille typewriters and tape recorders for the blind.
OVERSEAS PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND
Started in 1982
The 1981 International Year for Disabled Persons was an opportune time, and fund raising was started for programs to prevent vision loss for the peoples of developing Asian countries. At present we are working on the programs in Nepal.
PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND IN NEPAL
OTHER ACTIVITIES
We also provide counseling for the visually handicapped, clinic management, advanced training for acupuncture, massage and moxibustion.
We have also contributed to auditory education for the visually handicapped by sponsoring the "All Japan Music Competition of Blind Students" which has been co-sponsored by the Mainichi Newspapers for more than 40 years since our association was established.
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