Ireland’s First Braille Postage Stamp Marks Guide Dogs’ Anniversary
7 July 2006
The new stamp incorporates several special design features to facilitate visually
impaired and blind customers, including for the first time ever, Braille embossing on the 48c denomination. 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.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dempsey said: “I am proud to launch this new postage stamp commemorating Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, its Board, staff and many volunteers.
“Socially, the role played by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in ensuring that the visually impaired are empowered to participate in and contribute to Irish society is truly commendable. 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. Their 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.
Guide Dog training takes approximately eight months to complete during which time each dog learns to be responsible for the safe guiding of the handler, 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, GPO Dublin, GPO Cork, by phone at 01 705 7400 and online at www.irishstamps.ie
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