Braille stamp marks anniversary of guide dogs association

Ireland’s first-ever Braille postage stamp was launched today to mark the 30th anniversary of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The 48c denomination includes several special design features to facilitate the visually impaired.

As well as Braille embossing, the stamp’s colours were chosen to provide maximum contrast between the red guide dog silhouette in the foreground and the pale yellow background.

The typography and font size as well as the unusually wide gap between the images and the text have been designed for maximum visibility.

Unveiling the stamp in Cork, Communications Minister Noel Dempsey commended the contribution of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) in empowering the visually impaired.

“I know that the success of the organisation is down to the time, determination and selfless commitment of the many volunteers associated with the charity,” he added.

Established in 1976 by the late Mary Dunlop and IGDB president Jim Dennehy, the charity is the only provider of guide dogs for blind and visually impaired people and assistance dogs for children with autism in Ireland.

Its inclusive approach enables all their clients to integrate fully and independently into society while client confidence and self-esteem is built and supported through residential training and after-care services.

It takes up to eight months to train guide dogs to be responsible for the safe guiding of the handler and dealing with all the hazards blind people are likely to encounter.

Designed by Steve Simpson, the stamp and special First Day Cover are available from main post offices.