The Bright Eyes Trust’s upcoming workshop will equip parents, caregivers and educators with simple activities that can help children build confidence and prepare for braille literacy.
Durban, South Africa (17 August 2026)- Learning to read and write is about more than letters on a page. It is about giving children the tools to understand their world, communicate, learn independently and feel confident in their abilities.
For children who are blind or visually impaired, that journey can begin through something as simple as touch and play.
That is the idea behind the Bright Eyes Trust’s upcoming Bright Beginnings Basic Braille Workshop, which will take place in Durban on 1 and 2 October 2026.
The two-day workshop will give parents, caregivers and educators practical ways to support children as they develop the foundational skills needed for braille literacy.
Rather than making braille feel intimidating or complicated, the workshop focuses on everyday activities that encourage children to explore, touch, manipulate and make sense of the world around them.
Participants will work through activities designed to build tactile awareness, fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination, sensory exploration and tracking.
And there is plenty of room for creativity too, with activities involving playdough, counting, threading, tactile flashcards and sensory exploration, alongside specially adapted resources such as tactile clocks and a 3D-printed braille cell.
Each participant will also receive a Bright Beginnings Braille Resource Pack, developed in collaboration with Occupational Therapist Megan Young, allowing families to take what they learn home and continue practising through play and everyday activities.
The workshop also gives families an opportunity to connect with others walking a similar path, creating a space to share experiences, build confidence and strengthen the support around children with visual impairments.
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